Illnesses and infringements hit British Superbike riders and teams

After seeing any hope of their star rider, Taylor Mackenzie, claiming the National Superstock 1000 title, the team was still overjoyed with how the brand-new 2019 BMW S1000RR debuted around the circuit.

Brierley Hill-born team manager Rutter decided to switch from the familiar 2016 version for the new model late in the season while Mackenzie was still in contention for the title – to give him an extra push.

After finishing the opening practice sessions second fastest, Mackenzie became the first rider to qualify the 2019 BMW S1000RR on pole position in any class of short circuit racing in the world, but then fell victim to a technical infringement just before the start of race one.

During a check by Pirelli technicians, his tyre pressure measured 0.03bar (0.1psi) below the lowest pressure permitted, and he was removed from pole position to start the race from the last row of the grid.

Starting from the back of the grid, he rode the new BMW to a credible sixth at the end of the 12-lap race – setting the fastest lap of the race on the final circulation – which secured pole position for Sunday's race too.

Mackenzie was involved in a race-long battle for victory with Suzuki title rival, Richard Cooper, and a small mistake on the last lap cost him the win, relegating him to third, which handed the championship to Cooper.

Rutter said: “Obviously our grid penalty on Saturday put a severe dent in our weekend and aspirations to keep challenging for the 2019 title, but hats off to the Buildbase Suzuki team.

"They have had to put together an extraordinarily competitive and consistent season to beat us, and I know how hard that is to do. Congratulations.

"I must also pay tribute in particular to Taylor, Alec and Graham for getting so much performance out of the new 2019 BMW S1000RR in such a short space of time, with virtually no testing. I'm looking forward to riding the bike myself at Donington Park."

Hednesford Kurt Wigley was left cursing bad luck, or at least bad health, after a bout of flu ended any chance of top five finish as claimed a 14th and 10th, to sit 12th in British Supersport championship.

"It hasn't been going very well recently. I've been finishing consistently but I haven't been where I want to be," he said.

"I was really ill during the end of last week, which affected my energy, concentration and strength levels.

"As the weekend went on I started to feel better and better each day but it was a disappointing round because we had been looking forward to Oulton Park.

"We always struggle at Cadwell Park and Thurxton because they are such fast circuits and the difference between the power output of our bikes and some of the factory teams feels like we're taking a knife to a gunfight.

"Only by the second race was I back doing the same lap times I'd been doing at Oulton Park earlier in the year."

There was better news for his twin brother, Matt, who is on the road to recovery following his latest crash, which this time left him with a shattered ankle.

"Matt has had his cast cut off now but because it was shattered they were more worried than normal about how it would heal but he'll miss Assen, might return for Donington Park but will definitely be on the grid for Brands Hatch," he said.

Fellow Sorrymate.com rider, teenager Josh Hiatt, from Heath Hayes, also continued his steady progress in the British Motostar series securing a fourth and seventh, to sit fifth in standard class championship.

"Josh has been running well and got another fourth and a seventh, which followed his recent first-ever podium, so he's still knocking on the door," said Kurt.

"He had to deal with mixed conditions during qualifying but was on the pace all weekend, making up some places too after getting a bad start.

Storm Stacey, 16, from Eccleshall, had easily his best round to date winning both National Superstock 600 races, which leaves him fourth in the championship.