Burrell Holds Third Place in the BMW F 900 R Cup with Just Three Rounds Remaining
Halliwell Jones BMW Motorrad sponsored rider Barry Burrell holds a credible third position in the 2024 BMW F 900 R Cup and proving a strong challenger for the overall title.
In his inaugural year under the Halliwell Jones banner Barry has shown his true potential by keeping pace at the front of the pack and as a reward his efforts have paid off with a total of 164 points.
One of the most competitive grids on the British Superbike Calendar, the BMW F 900 R cup has attracted one of the largest fields to date, which in turn brings some stiff opposition for Burrell in his pursuit of podium finishes.
The season opened back in April with a trip to Spain and the challenging Circuito De Navarra where Barry began his title chase with an excellent 5th place finish 16.011 seconds off eventual winner Nikki Coats. This opening round allowed Barry to push his Halliwell Jones BMW F 900 R under real race conditions and set him in good stead for the return of the championship to home soil and more familiar circuits.
Snetterton would see a much similar push from Barry and on this occasion the fast flowing circuit proved an ideal arena to demonstrate the true potential of the BMW F 900. A hard fought race would see the Halliwell Jones BMW F 900 R cross the line in a very credible third position, rewarding Burrell with a podium spot.
During July Donington Park hosted the British Round of the World Superbike Championship and as a support class the BMW F 900 Cup were invited to take to the grid. An outstanding opportunity to not only place riders, but the BMW machinery on a world stage. Moreover, there would be two main races to delight the crowds in attendance and across the globe joining via the TV. Race one witnessed Burrell take the chequered flag in third place just 6.992s off the eventual winner and later on the Sunday he fought hard to bring home a commendable seventh position against some serious seasoned competitors.
July was for sure virtually back to back races and as the Championship headed to the iconic Brands Hatch Burrell was still sitting firmly in third place of the overall championship. A circuit of undulations would challenge suspension set up and also rider bravery with some significant fast flowing elements to the circuit. But Burrell faced the challenge head on and from the red lights extinguishing he made a break for the front into the first corner. Holding the lead for three laps this was soon relinquished to Thomas Studwick, but with Burrell still keeping the lead in his sights. One of the closest conclusions to a race of the season saw the Halliwell Jones Motorrad BMW F 900 cross the finish line just 2.773s off the winner and rewarding Burrell with another top ten finish.
There is little doubt that the following round at Thruxton in August is one for the brave with the circuit being branded ‘the fastest in the UK’ with some of the longest full throttle sweeping corners on the calendar. The epic battle out on circuit would surpass the previous rounds' tight finish and at the conclusion Burrell landed in a podium position (3rd) a whisker off first place by just 0.259s!
The series now heads for one of the riders favourite venues, Cadwell Park in the picturesque setting of the parkland circuit where Barry aboard his BMW F 900 R will be looking to repeat his success and in doing so push him further up the overall championship table.
Why not catch up with action in person over the Bank Holiday weekend by paying a visit to Cadwell Park, or grab a place on the sofa to take in the races live on TV.
Championship Status Going into Cadwell Park
Rider Points
1. Thomas Strudwick 209
2. Nikki Coates 182
3. Barry Burrell 164
4. Mason Johnson 130
5. James Ellison 126
6. Robert Varey 124
