PRESS:
My World Superbike weekend kicked off with the media day on Thursday this included a press conference in the morning followed by a photo call on the start/finish line with the 350cc Raleigh that won the 1st ever motorcycle race at Donington Park 80years ago.
Here are some photo from both those events:
Biaggi talks to the media:
Haslam and Biaggi chat:
Jonathan Rea:
Tom Sykes:
Leon Camier:
After the press conference we headed out on to the grid for a photo shoot with some of the riders and the 350cc Raleigh:
Then their current bikes were wheeled out:
Leon Haslam couldn’t resist jumping back on the Raleigh:
For the first time in World Superbikes on board camera’s were used, Jonathan Rea was a little concerned about the size of it on the back of his bike:
Eugene Laverty and Leon Haslam continue the discussion:
On the Thursday afternoon they open the paddock to the public and at the paddock show stage riders are interviewed and then sign autographs for the fans.
Michel Fabrizio’s lack of English brought much amusement to the crowd:
YES!
Team BMW:
BMW were a man down at Donington thanks to a testing crash, I’d like to wish James Toseland a speedy recovery as did his team:
Yamaha World Supersport riders Chaz Davies and Luca Scassa:
Marco Melandri:
Eugene Laverty:
PIT LANE:
Having access to pit lane at all times apart from during Superpole and the two Superbike races I had to take advantage and head down there for a session or two and find out exactly why they make you sign that liability waivers, you get CLOSE:
Note the scuffed leather’s below, Fabrizio had been punted into the gravel by a certain Mr Biaggi and returned to the pits minus his bike so off he went to Biaggi’s garage to let him know exactly what he thought of that:
He wasn’t very happy!
Sylvain Guintoli was a bit banged up but didn’t complain and got on with it:
This is a rare photo. No not of Marco Melandri but of @supersoph23 now if only I could get one of her in focus but she has ninja like skills of detecting when a camera is pointed in her direction!
Eugene Laverty had a tough weekend here’s hoping he has more luck at Assen:
Jakub Smrz qualified on the front row, nothing new there he’s great in Superpole but for once he backed it up in the race finishing on the podium:
PODIUMS:
Race 1 Podium Smrz, Melandri, Checa:
Race 2 Podium: 
Of course there was the usual fun with Champagne:
And that’s it for my Donington Park blogs I just want to say thank you to girlracer for the opportunity to the girlracer team who were there at the weekend @weeyin13, @supersoph23, @curlybiker, @mpaines, @motoette thanks also to the enemy @jearle and @sfromley for the great company. To Stewart(@digitalprintinn) and Sam for their hospitality and to Fran Hollywood ( @cuttingfoam) maker of great looking giant iphones and proud Eugene Laverty supporter and to @Pippamorson for help in setting up the photo with @amylouisedargan and @t0rrs .
I’ll leave you with some shots of the great Donington Park circuit:
Redgate:
Craner Curves:
Starkeys:
The Grid:
