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Byrne 'beaten up' in 187mph smash |
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Saturday, 17 June 2006 |
Byrne 'beaten up' in 187mph smash
 Rizla Suzuki's Shane 'Shakey' Byrne had a spectacular high speed
accident at Snetterton in Norfolk on Friday, ahead of round seven of
the Bennetts British Superbike Championship.
The accident happened just four minutes into the first free practice
session when Byrne ran straight on at the end of the Revitt straight.
"Shakey went out and on his
second lap he was coming down the Revitt straight, which is a kilometre
long, and he ran on at the end of it. We've had a look at the telemetry
and he suffered a crash at 187mph, he was knocked unconscious and was
taken to the medical centre."
The medical centre then transferred Byrne to hospital for further
checks. "They transferred him to Norwich and Norfolk Hospital where he
went under a series of x rays and examinations and they let him go
about one hour later," said McClean. "Nothing broken, he is bruised and
feels really beaten up and has a sore head from the concussion." The
cause of the accident is still unclear and the team are currently
looking into it.
As a safety precaution, an eight day rule is applied to any rider who
is knocked out which means that they are unable to race for eight days,
therefore Byrne was ruled out of competing at Snetterton.
The Rizla team have decided to field Jon Kirkham as he regularly
competes on Suzuki machinery. The team were impressed with his progress
considering how the bike was set-up.
"Jon got on very well, the bike he was riding was Shakey's spare bike
from Mallory so it was in no way, shape or form set up for somewhere
like Snetterton with a 200mph straight," said McClean. "Also it is set
up for a guy who is about six inches shorter than Kirkham with gearing
for a very different circuit. But he still went out and did a mid 1min
06secs which was excellent and we were really pleased with that."
Kirkham finished second free practice in sixteenth place with Rizla
regular James Haydon, who is carrying a shoulder injury, in thirteenth.
"My left shoulder is still quite painful after the crash at Mallory
Park two weeks ago. It is heavily strapped and I am undergoing
extensive physiotherapy at the track but I still don't have full
movement or strength in it yet. Cornering is where it's proving
toughest as the shoulder has to work particularly hard when turning the
bike in and out of the chicanes," explained Haydon, "It was tough
riding today (Friday) but I think it will get easier tomorrow and for
sure the bike is quick enough on the straights. I hope to be
competitive for the races on Sunday."
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