McConnell remains with the official factory-backed Yamaha team for a second consecutive season after finishing runner-up in 2009 following an epic season-long battle with Steve Plater for the championship. McConnell took three race wins and a further four podiums for the team this year with the title chase going down to the wire at the final round.

Westmoreland strengthens the team’s line-up following two seasons in the Championship; he finished third in the 2009 standings taking a maiden race win at Brands Hatch with a further victory at Silverstone and four podium finishes.

The team also have a new title sponsor for 2010 and both McConnell and Westmoreland will run in CAME livery. CAME (pronounced ca-may), is the UK’s premier supplier of automatic gates and access control equipment and were represented for the first time in the British Superbike Championship paddock in 2009 and is now strengthening their presence ahead of the new season.

McConnell said: “It’s obviously mega for me to stay with the team for next season as they are the top Yamaha team in the Championship and we proved this year we have what it takes to win the title. We have a strong package and we came so close to having that number one plate this year, so I know that we need to go one better in 2010. The team are one of the best in the paddock and I want to win the title for them and also our new sponsor CAME.”

Westmoreland said: “To join the CAME Yamaha team is obviously a great opportunity for me as they are a proven team who are ready to fight for the title. The Championship is always so close and competitive and I am sure next season will be no different but I know that we have the package to win. I am now looking forward to getting pre-season testing underway and I just can’t wait to get the season started. I would like to thank Steve Rodgers at Raceways and our sponsors CAME for giving me the chance to challenge for the title.”

CAME Yamaha Team Manager Steve Rodgers said: “We are looking forward to next year and we are delighted to have a new title sponsor in CAME for 2010. It is an important year for the team as we are focused on nothing less than winning the title after finishing runner-up for the past two seasons. We have unfinished business in the Supersport Championship and we are confident that we have two proven title contenders in Billy McConnell and James Westmoreland.”

CAME Group UK Managing Director, James Bostock said: “Sponsoring the Raceways team will provide the nationwide network of CAME installers a competitive and professional team to support and follow in the Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport Championship. Combining riding talent like Billy McConnell and James Westmoreland and the professional and experienced team at Raceways, we are all surely set for a fantastic, successful and exciting season.”

Warm up was wet which meant James went into the race taking a big gamble the new set up would work. James made a good start and ended the first lap in 4th position, and began to chase down the leaders. On Lap 4 James passed Ben Wilson, and made his charge towards Plater and McConnell breaking the lap record in the process. On lap 10 James passed McConnell, and set his sights on Plater and despite a couple of passes and near misses he was not able to beat the HM Plant rider and was forced to settle for 2nd position. The race result confirmed James’s 3rd place in the British Supersport Championship.

“I am happy with the race because I gave it everything to win and it just wasnt enough today.To get another lap record is incredible and thats 4 in one season which shows we have serious pace onboard the 675. Steve was taking big risks and I couldnt put a safe move on him towards the end of the race. What a fantastic season we have had this year. The consistancy we have shown is incredible and we really have been the pacesetters of this championship for the past 6-7 rounds. I must thank everyone who has supported me this season and shown faith and belief in myself and JW Racing. I have worked with some incredible people this season, and it has been the most enjoyable season of my career so far. I hope people take notice of the success we have had, and realise how difficult it has been to challenge at the very front of the championship week in week out.”

We would like to offer our sincere thanks to JT Performance Centre, Triumph Motorcycles Ltd, Beta Distribution, A1 Moto Services, CAME, Floor and Wall, Easimix, RPS, J Dawson and Sons, David Harrison,Shark, Triumphworld, Andy Stone, Dave Cross Body Repairs, Ian and Elaine Lennox. K-Tech, King Dick Tools, Rockoil, B & C Express, Signs Express, Threebond, Racebikebitz (Samco), GB Racing, Sigma, TCX, Hel Performance, Richa, Nevis, Knox, Wiz Racing, Net Visability, Econ Engineering, Skid Marx, Maxxis, Brembo, Turn One Photography, Graham Holt, Jon Jessop.

Westy got a good start and exited turn 1 in 2nd place and made his move on Lee Johnston towards the end of lap 1. Billy McConnell passed James at the busstop on the first lap but James drove underneath him onto the start and finish line at the start of lap 2. What followed was a master class, a ride beyond his 21 years, as he broke the lap record and rode away from the chasing pack. Without a single mistake James got the lead up to 5 seconds before cruising home with a clear victory. The revised result after Billy McConnell’s penalty shows James’s margin of victory over Honda’s Steve Plater as 9.3 seconds. The race victory means that James has secured 3rd place in the championship before the final round at Oulton Park.

“What a fantastic way to bounce back after Croft and to dominate the race like that shows how strong our package is and how well the 675 is working. I have been one of the strongest riders in the championship for many rounds now and we needed this weekend. To get pole, the lap record and race win is a fantastic feeling, and this is a weekend I will remember for a very long time. It was nice seeing my advantage going up and it all came pretty easy to be honest, I am sure we could have won by more if it was necessary. I was very confident before the race but I must thank JT Engine Developments for a perfect bike this weekend, and A1 Moto Services for coming onboard at these final three rounds plus all my sponsors, family and friends. We cannnot win the championship but we can go to Oulton and try to do the same again and prove why we are going to be very strong in 2010.”

The final round of the British Supersport championship takes place at Oulton Park from the 9-11th October.

Full race report to follow.

Westmoreland was able to take advantage in the final minutes of the session to secure the pole spot. The session had been red flagged due to oil on the circuit with seven minutes on the clock and it was McConnell who had set the pace until then. However he was forced to settle for second when he ran out of time to retaliate to Westmoreland’s scintillating lap.

1. James Westmoreland (JW Racing Triumph) 1m:27.790s
2. Billy McConnell (MAP Raceways Yamaha) +0.127s
3. Steve Plater (HM Plant Honda) +0.568s
4. Lee Johnston (MAP Raceways Yamaha) +0.568s
5. Ian Hutchinson (Padgetts Honda) +0.618s

A1 Moto Services are one of the country’s leading Triumph dealerships with over 5000sq ft of showroom dedicated to Hinckley Triumph . They have a full range of motorcycles on display as well as the most comprehensive range of Triumph clothing and accessories you will find. A1 Moto Services can be located at Lawrence Street, York.

“It was a great pleasure to welcome A1 Moto services as title sponsors for a one off round at Croft, so for them to extend there agreement with us is great news for the final two rounds. This is a massive boost for our small team, and I look forward to two good races to finish the season. Silverstone is a circuit I like, and I have had some great races there in the past. I will give it my all throughtout the whole weekend and we will see what we leave with on Sunday evening. I would like to thank A1 Moto Services for coming onboard and supporting us.” commented James.”

I was invited out to Jerez by my loyal sponsor Gary Wilson of Beta Distribution. He has his own Track Day Company and I was asked to go out and have a fun few days! It would not have been right to not throw in some leathers too! Gary has a Honda CBR1000 built by JT Engine Developments and it was a perfect opportunity to ride a Superbike of a very high standard. My first impressions were very good, the speed was impressive but not mind boggling, and the chassis was very good. The bike felt like a Supersport bike with more power and it was great fun to ride. It was difficult to get too serious as it was a track day and I was trying not to hog the bike and the tyres we had available!!! I set some very respectable lap times and had great fun without changing a thing on the bike and I now have an idea of what to expect, whether that is in 2010 or beyond I will be ready to do a good job.

During the two day test I also rode a Suzuki K6 Superbike, 999 Ducati and Ducati Desmosedici. The 999 was a lovely bike and it felt really balanced and was very deceptive on how fast you were going. It was of a very high standard with some factory parts on from 2006. It was a pleasure to ride and I came in feeling like Troy Bayliss! The Desmo looks fantastic and I was eager to get a few laps on it! I didn’t want to appear cheeky but I blagged a go on the condition that if I went down I would have to buy it! So crashing was not an option! It only had 600 mile on the clock so was barely run in, poor thing! It sounded unreal and I was grinning as I opened it up out of pit lane! I did about 8 laps which were enough to know how they feel, and I chuffed to have ridden one! I was very grateful to all the respective owners and would like to thank them, but at the back of my mind I knew I was thrashing their pride and joy!

A big thank you to Gary for organizing it. A fantastic couple of days!