Rizla Suzuki's triple British Superbike Champion John Reynolds will be taking to the track during the 20th anniversary celebrations of the World Superbike Championship at Donington Park this weekend.
As a wild-card rider JR won a World Superbike race at Brands Hatch in 2000 and then added a pole position and 2nd place in 2003. He will be on-hand to meet the fans but is especially excited about getting out on track on a 2007 Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000 replica race bike.
"I am blown away by being asked to take part in the demonstration laps," said JR. "My victory at Brands Hatch in 2000 was one of the major high-points of my career and one of the best days of my life. It'll be a pleasure to be on track with the big-names and stars that they have lined up for the demo laps."
Donington in Derbyshire is where it all started for SBK (World Superbikes), with the first ever meeting being held at the flowing Derbyshire circuit on April 3rd, 1988. This season SBK makes a happy return to Donington for the first time since 2001.
The now-famous SBK Paddock Show will be the heart of the celebrations, with examples of the machines used throughout World Superbike's history on display.
As well as the 'old' machines, many of the top riders who made their names on them will appear in a parade around the circuit on Saturday, 31st March, 12.55-13.25 and Sunday, 1st April, 14.30-15.00.
On Saturday 31st March, from 19:00 to 21:00, riders, media and teams are invited to a special cocktail party, with a prize awards ceremony forming the main focus of the evening's proceedings.
Riders scheduled to be joining in with the 20th anniversary celebrations, most of whom will appear on track with period machines from SBK's history, include:
- John Reynolds (SBK race winner, 1x pole position) - Rizla Suzuki
- Scott Russell (1993 SBK Champion) - Yamaha
- Fred Merkel (1988 and 1989 SBK Champion) - Honda
- Aaron Slight (13-times race winner) - Honda
- Piergiorgio Bontempi (WSS race winner/SBK podium finisher) - Kawasaki
- Peter Goddard (two-time SBK race winner) - Aprilia
- Marco Lucchinelli (two-time SBK race winner and 500cc GP champion) - Ducati
- Davide Tardozzi (five-time SBK race winner) - Ducati
- Fabrizio Pirovano (ten-time SBK race winner, 1998 Supersport Champion) - Yamaha
- Roger Burnett (first ever SBK pole qualifier) - Honda
- James Whitham (SBK race winner, four-time WSS race winner) - Suzuki
- Pierfrancesco Chili (17-time SBK race winner)
Donington Park is the third round of the World Superbike Championship, with all the race action taking place on Sunday, April 1st. Rizla Suzuki riders Cal Crutchlow and Chris Walker will not be taking part but will be on track the following weekend at the opening round of the British Superbike Championship at the Brands Hatch GP circuit in Kent on Bank Holiday Monday, April 9th.
For more news, visit www.rizla-suzuki.co.uk
