Cadwell Park British Superbikes: Home circuit victory hopes for HM Plant Honda

Both Leon Haslam and Cal Crutchlow have spoken about their intentions to secure good results at Cadwell Park this weekend at the home circuit of the Honda UYK squad.

With the HM Plant team based just down the road in Louth, the 2.18-mile Lincolnshire circuit is very much the local track for the reigning British Superbike Champions. 

Both Haslam and Crutchlow have shining résumés at Cadwell, with Leon winning races in each of the last three years and Crutchlow securing his first British Supersport win there a year before taking the 600 crown.

And after a confidence boosting victory in race two at Knockhill last time out, Haslam will be looking to begin his characteristic late surge of winning form.

“After the win last time out I’m looking forward to Cadwell. We’ve been making progress all year with the bike and while it’s got a way to go, I can ride it properly now and I’m confident to be able to ride it hard. At Cadwell confidence is just what you need as it’s a technical track.”

“I’ve won there every year recently, so that’s a good point. I’ve also got the lap record at the moment and I’ve been on pole every year – albeit on the Ducati – but I’m looking forward to seeing how the CBR1000R Fireblade goes around HM Plant Honda’s home circuit.”

Crutchlow, who now has Tom Sykes breathing down his neck for the second spot in the championship standings, knows the importance of this weekend to his employers.

But the 2006 British Supersport Champ admits the track is one of his favourites, not just because of the location to the Honda team.

“I love Cadwell Park. It’s a wonderful and very special track for me,” said the Coventry rider.

“The layout is exciting, there’s the thrill of the jump over The Mountain and it’s glorious to race there, even if it is a little narrow. I took my first Supersport win there a few years back, and I hope one day to carry that success through to the Superbike class too. It’s also a track where it’s very important to HM Plant Honda to do well, as our team HQ and workshop is in Louth just down the road.”