The race format per round is free practice, qualifying practice (the two practices may be combined into one session with timing starting after a pre-determined period) and then two Championship races with aggregated points.

New for 2010 is a riders' committee to work with the ACU to develop the series.  The riders have also appointed a series coordinator to manage each round with the organising club and to liaise with ACU.

At the end of the 2010 season the winner will receive the prestigious GSX-R Trophy and in each round the top three will receive trophies.

The final round of the R&G Racing Suzuki GSX-R Trophy was as exciting as ever despite Ross Connolly having sown up the title at the previous round.

The untouchable Connolly looked set to dominate once again as he sailed to a late pole position stealing P1 from his nearest rival, Mark Cheetham, with a lap time of 1min 47.11secs. This relegated Cheetham to second place on the grid, with Ross Richards in third and William Sawyer completing the front row of the grid.

Connolly, from Blackpool, got away well in the in the damp conditions while Cheetham was having a nightmare of a start. Due to a shower of rain ahead of the race the riders were left changing tyres at the last minute and Cheetham missed the warm-up lap and had to start from the back of the grid.

The pressure was now on Cheetham to work his way through the pack and catch the race leader. He finally got close enough on lap eight to make a move and he set about putting a gap between him and Connolly. This gave Cheetham his second victory of the year

Ross Richards raced to third place and would have made more progress if he had been able to get through the traffic quicker. The Express Insurance Top Gun Novice award and the Relentless rider of the day award went to Paul “Dodge” Rogers who was thrilled with his efforts in coming home fourth.

Cheetham said: “I missed the warm-up as I was changing tyres. I had to start from the back but I love being under pressure. Then my visor steamed up and then came loose. Plus I had a great slide proper fifth gear flat out full opposite lock, it was ace. I’ve got to thank Shorrocks and Terry from Berik as the leathers fit like a dream.”

Connolly said: “I really enjoyed that. It was our first time racing on the wet tyres and the front felt good. I was still having problems with the rear I think it was the shock. The rear kept letting go on me so I didn’t feel comfortable enough to push. Congratulations to Mark on his win and thanks to the Kendal Massive for coming along to support me with number one t-shirts!”

Richards said: “I enjoyed the race but just couldn’t get through the pack so I suffered a bit. I could see the front guys and the gap to them. I should have been more ruthless with my passing.”

Rogers said: “That was manic. I got a poor start but there were so many bikes I thought I’d sit back and let them sort themselves out. I knew what I had to do and who I needed to beat to stay fourth in the championship. The guy I was battling with went out so I just took it steady. That is the first time on wet tyres and the bike moved about a lot I was actually glad to see the flag.”

Race results

1. Mark Cheetham
2. Ross Connolly
3. Ross Richards
4. Paul Rogers
5. Richard Steadman
6. Tim Sawyers
7. Wayne Crossman
8. Nicky Wilson

DNF. William Sawyer

2009’s R&G Racing Suzuki GSX-R Trophy Champion, Ross Connolly would like to thank the following sponsors and friends:

Submarine Manufacturing and Products Ltd

Active Freight Management & Hokee Wong

www.huey.co.uk

Arata Exhausts

Silkolene Oils

FW Developments

Mark at Holbeach Tyres for the best tyre service available

Raceways Motorcycles

ACU - Dave and Rowena

25% Speedy

Kevin Heywood Building Services

Bikesport News

James Emmett (Jeremy Burgess) my Mechanic

Vicki my girlfriend for top hospitality and putting up with my bad moods

The Kendal Massive

All friends and family for support/mickey taking

PLJ Photo

Cheetham for top quality competition and sportsmanship

Images provided by PLJ Photo.

Mark Cheetham took a well deserved win at the final round of the R&G Racing Suzuki GSX-R Trophy at Oulton Park in Cheshire.

This is his second win of the season and he rode his heart out to pull it off in difficult conditions. Due a shower of rain the riders were left changing tyres at the last minute and Cheetham missed the warm-up lap and had to start from the back of the grid.

Ross Connolly the 2009 Champion lead from the off and was reeled in by the hard riding Cheetham. On lap eight Cheetham made his move and set about putting a gap between him and Connolly.

Ross Richards raced to third place and would have made more progress if he had been able to get through the traffic quicker. The Express Insurance Top Gun Novice award and the Relentless rider of the day award went to Paul “Dodge” Rogers who was thrilled with his efforts.

Cheetham said: “I missed the warm-up as I was changing tyres. I had to start from the back but I love being under pressure. Then my visor steamed up and then came loose. Plus I had a great slide proper fifth gear flat out full opposite lock, it was ace. I’ve got to thank Shorrocks and Terry from Berik as the leathers fit like a dream.”

Connolly said: “I really enjoyed that. It was our first time racing on the wet tyres and the front felt good. I was still having problems with the rear I think it was the shock. The rear kept letting go on me so I didn’t feel comfortable enough to push. Congratulations to Mark on his win and thanks to the Kendal Massive for coming along to support me with number one t-shirts!”

Richards said: “I enjoyed the race but just couldn’t get through the pack so I suffered a bit. I could see the front guys and the gap to them. I should have been more ruthless with my passing.”

Rogers said: “That was manic. I got a poor start but there were so many bikes I thought I’d sit back and let them sort themselves out. I knew what I had to do and who I needed to beat to stay fourth in the championship. The guy I was battling with went out so I just took it steady. That is the first time on wet tyres and the bike moved about a lot I was actually glad to see the flag.”

Race results

1. Mark Cheetham
2. Ross Connolly
3. Ross Richards
4. Paul Rogers
5. Richard Steadman
6. Tim Sawyers
7. Wayne Crossman
8. Nicky Wilson

DNF. William Sawyer

He lapped the undulating circuit in 1min 47.11secs and secured pole right at the end of the session. Connolly had lead initially but Mark Cheetham pushed ahead of him at the mid point of the session and looked like pole was going to be his. However Connolly went back out at the end of the session and posted his fast time.

Cheetham had to settle for second place just 0.31secs behind Connolly. Ross Richards lines up in third place and William Sawyer completes the front row of the grid.

Connolly said: "That was a pretty tough session as I had a few problems with the back end on the run into corners. I've got all my fans here watching so I'm looking forward to the race. I think it will be tough as Mark is quick round here, well if he doesn't get tired!"

Qualifying results

1. Ross Connolly
2. Mark Cheetham
3. Ross Richards
4. William Sawyer
5. Paul Rogers
6. Nicky Wilson
7. Richard Steadman
8. Wayne Crossman
9. Tim Sayers

Chris Hawkes returned to the Championship for the first time since he crashed at Donington Park sustaining a broken wrist. Despite being in some pain he still managed to grab pole position from Connolly with a time 1min 17.68secs, gaining the pole position award.

In the first race Hawkes got a superb start and Connolly got a shockingly bad one. This allowed Hawkes to lead for the early part of the race, however once Connolly got his head down he reeled in Hawkes and passed him for the race win. The third step on the podium went to Duncan Bedwell who has been improving his riding skills through out the season and is now knocking on the door.

The second race saw Connolly simply get away and lead Hawkes over the line, with William Sawyer in third giving him his first podium finish of the season. He won the Express Insurance Top Novice award for his podium finish while Hawkes got the Relentless Rider of the day award for his double podium finish whilst recovering from a broken wrist.

Connolly said: "I couldn't believe how bad my start was in the first one and in race two I really struggled with grip plus it is dead bumpy round here. I really enjoyed the meeting and I want to thank all my sponsors and friends who have helped me out this weekend."

Hawkes said: "I'm over the moon to be back racing as I've missed it due to being out of action with my broken wrist. I'm now really looking forward to Oulton Park to get racing again."

Sawyer said: "I've had a great time and I'm chuffed to be on the podium. I've won the Relentless award and the Express Novice award but it is special to be on the podium." 

The final round of the R&G Racing Suzuki GSX-R Trophy will take place at Oulton Park in Cheshire on Saturday 19^th September.

Race one

1. Ross Connolly
2. Chris Hawkes
3. Duncan Bedwell
4. William Sawyer
5. Paul Rogers
6. Nikki Wilson
7. Wayne Crossman

Race two

1. Ross Connolly
2. Chris Hawkes
3. William Sawyer
4. Paul Rogers
5. Nikki Wilson
6. Wayne Crossman

DNF. Duncan Bedwell

Overall result

1. Ross Connolly
2. Chris Hawkes
3. William Sawyer
4. Paul Rogers
5. Nikki Wilson
6. Wayne Crossman
7. Duncan Bedwell

Championship standings

1. Ross Connolly                   220

2. Mark Cheetham                157

3. Ross Richards                  128

4. Paul Rogers                      98

5. Duncan Bedwell                92

6. William Sawyer                 90

7. Chris Hawkes                    83

8. Nicky Wilson                      62

9. Tim Sayers                        43

10. Richard Steadman         42

Having won seven out of eight races Connolly is on a roll and has admitted that Castle Combe is one of his favourite circuits. Last time out at the Anglesey double header Connolly picked up pole position, and both race wins. He is now 38 points clear of Mark Cheetham in the title chase and that is a big gap to bridge.

Cheetham is the only man to beat Connolly this season and he will be doing his best to hold onto the fast Blackpool rider. Ross Richards, GSX-R Trophy regular, has been on form over the last couple of rounds and will also be out to beat the interlopers of Cheetham and Connolly.

For Cheetham to win the title at this late stage will mean Connolly having two disastrous rounds however with the level of consistency that Connolly has shown all season that is unlikely.

For further information on the R&G Racing GSX-R Trophy please visit www.gsxrtrophy.co.uk.

He lapped the physical 1.2 National circuit in 1min 12.5secs with Trophy regular, Ross "Rossi" Richards in hot pursuit as he came over the line just 0.1secs behind Connolly.

As ever Mark Cheetham was in the mix, qualifying in third place. Completing the front row was top novice Duncan Bedwell who was about two seconds off the others' pace.

In race one Connolly raced to the win and also set the fastest lap of the race with a time of 1min 12.7secs on lap 13.

From the outset Connolly was at the front with Richards and Cheetham giving chase. They spent four laps tailing one another and it was at this point that Connolly pulled the pin. Both Richards and Cheetham dropped off the pace allowing Connolly to romp home with a 3.5 secs lead. Richards settled for second and Cheetham in third.

Duncan Bedwell raced to fourth place but had a crash on the 11^th lap, he remounted to finish. However, ACU Regulations for Club level racing don't allow a rider to remount after a crash, so he was excluded from the results.

Connolly said: "I felt under pressure at the start from Ross. I was pushing hard but didn't seem to be making any ground, my board was showing +0, +0 and then it started to show +1, +2, +3. I didn't feel I'd done anything different but by lap 15 I had a four second lead so I backed off just to take the win. Thanks to my pit crew for the great signaling as it helped me to control the race."

Richards said: "That was a hard race but Connolly had the speed. He picked up the pace and gapped me."

Cheetham said: "Me visor steamed up and if it hadn't then I'd have won! Third is ok; I was only 17 seconds off second place."

The Express Insurance Top Novice Award went to William Sawyer for the first time. He was over the moon to pick up the award as it was his first time at the track. The Relentless award for most entertaining ride went to Paul Rogers.

Race two played out in a similar manner with Connolly slotting straight into the lead. Cheetham, took third place and set the initial fastest lap on lap two with a 1min 13secs time.

Connolly came back and dropped the fastest lap down to 1min 12secs on lap four. Cheetham worked hard to pass Richards for second place and set about reeling Connolly in. He set another fastest lap with a 1min 12.6secs.

There was one faller in the race and that was Richard Steadman who high sided on to the main straight at the mid point of the race. On lap 11 Cheetham took the lead and dropped his fastest lap to 1min 12.5secs and that is where it stayed. Connolly followed him and passed him back on lap 12 holding the lead until the chequered flag. That left Cheetham in second and Richards in a close third.

The Express Insurance Top Novice award went to Duncan Bedwell and the Relentless rider of the day award went to Cheetham as he was riding with three damaged ribs. Cheetham took part in the Mega Avalanche mountain bike event a few weeks ago where he picked up his rib injury.

Connolly said: "Thanks to my girlfriend Vicky for feeding me all weekend. Thanks to James for the pit boards and thanks to Speedy for eating all the food. It was a tough race as Mark pushed me all the way. If he was fitter I think he could have beaten me. The next two rounds are at Castle Combe and Oulton Park which are favourites of mine."

Cheetham said: "Thanks to Moto Direct for my new comfy leathers and to Motul Oil for the extra horse power. On lap 15 the tiredness jus hit me and that was that. Over the last three weeks the most I've done is cut the hedge thanks to my injured ribs."

Richards said: "I fluffed the start and wheelied. Mark passed me and I tucked in behind him as he pulled me up to Connolly. Cheetham went wide and I closed up on him but I couldn't pass him. I do feel I'm getting closer to Connolly though.

Race one results

1. Ross Connolly
2. Ross Richards
3. Mark Cheetham
4. Paul Rogers
5. William Sawyer
6. Tim Sayers
7. Richard Steadman
8. Nicky Wilson

Race two results

1. Ross Connolly
2. Mark Cheetham
3. Ross Richards
4. Duncan Bedwell
5. Paul Rogers
6. William Sawyer
7. Nicky Wilson

Championship Standings 

1. Ross Connolly                   195

2. Mark Cheetham                157

3. Ross Richards                  128

4. Paul Rogers                      85

5. Duncan Bedwell                83

6. William Sawyer                 74

7. Chris Hawkes                    63

8. Nicky Wilson                      51

9. Tim Sayers                        43

10. Richard Steadman         42       

Good weather greeted the R&G Racing Suzuki GSX-R Trophy paddock and once the racing got underway it was Connolly who jumped immediately into the lead. Mark Cheetham, Connolly's main title rival, took third place and set the initial fastest lap on lap two with a 1min 13secs time.

Connolly came back and dropped the fastest lap down to 1min 12secs on lap four. Cheetham worked hard to pass Ross Richards for second place and set about reeling Connolly in. He set another fastest lap on with a 1min 12.6secs.

There was one faller in the race and that was Richard Steadman who high sided on to the main straight at the mid point of the race. On lap 11 Cheetham took the lead and dropped his fastest lap to 1min 12.5secs and that is where it stayed. Connolly followed him and passed him back on lap 12 holding the lead until the chequered flag. That left Cheetham in second and Richards in a close third.

The Express Insurance Top Novice award went to Duncan Bedwell and the Relentless rider of the day award went to Cheetham as he was riding with three damaged ribs. Cheetham took part in the Mega Avalanche mountain bike event a few weeks ago where he picked up his rib injury.

Connolly said: "Thanks to my girlfriend Vicky for feeding me all weekend. Thanks to James for the pit boards and thanks to Speedy for eating all the food. It was a tough race as Mark pushed me all the way. If he was fitter I think he could have beaten me. The next two rounds are at Castle Combe and Oulton Park which are favourites of mine."

Cheetham said: "Thanks to Moto Direct for my new comfy leathers and to Motul Oil for the extra horse power. On lap 15 the tiredness jus hit me and that was that. Over the last three weeks the most I've done is cut the hedge thanks to my injured ribs."

Richards said: "I fluffed the start and wheelied. Mark passed me and I tucked in behind him as he pulled me up to Connolly. Cheetham went wide and I closed up on him but I couldn't pass him. I do feel I'm getting closer to Connolly though.

Race two results

1. Ross Connolly
2. Mark Cheetham
3. Ross Richards
4. Duncan Bedwell
5. Paul Rogers
6. William Sawyer
7. Nicky Wilson

He also took pole position and the fastest lap of the race with a time of 1min 12.7secs on lap 13. This gave him the Pole Position award in the form of a £50 voucher for Force Field Body Armour redeemable at Stamford Superbikes as well as the Fastest Lap award of a Suzuki watch.

From the outset Connolly was at the front with Richards and Cheetham giving chase. They spent four laps tailing one another and it was at this point that Connolly pulled the pin. Both Richards and Cheetham dropped off the pace allowing Connolly to romp home with a 3.5 secs lead. Richards settled for second and Cheetham in third.

Duncan Bedwell raced to fourth place but had a crash on the 11^th lap, he remounted to finish. However, the rules of the GSX-R Trophy don't allow a rider to remount so he was excluded from the results.

Connolly said: "I felt under pressure at the start from Ross. I was pushing hard but didn't seem to be making any ground, my board was showing +0, +0 and then it started to show +1, +2, +3. I didn't feel I'd done anything different but by lap 15 I had a four second lead so I backed off just to take the win. Thanks to my pit crew for the great signaling as it helped me to control the race."

Richards said: "That was a hard race but Connolly had the speed. He picked up the pace and gapped me."

Cheetham said: "Me visor steamed up and if it hadn't then I'd have won! Third is ok I was only 17 seconds second place."

The Express Insurance Top Novice Award went to William Sawyers for the first time. He was over the moon to pick up the award as it was his first time at the track. The Relentless award for most entertaining ride went to Paul Rogers.

Race one results

1. Ross Connolly
2. Ross Richards
3. Mark Cheetham
4. Paul Rogers
5. William Sawyer
6. Tim Sayers
7. Richard Steadman
8. Nicky Wilson

He lapped the physical 1.2 National circuit in 1min 12.5secs with Trophy regular, Ross "Rossi" Richards in hot pursuit as he came over the line just 0.1secs behind Connolly.

At ever Mark Cheetham was in the mix and he qualified in third place putting him on the front row which is the ideal for him to challenge Connolly. Cheetham is second in the Championship and doing his best to up stage Connolly. He took a race win off him last time out and would love to do the same again.

Completing the front row was top novice Duncan Bedwell who was about two seconds off the others' times.

Connolly said: "I felt comfortable at that pace but it will be difficult to maintain it during the 20 lap race."

Cheetham said: "I had some big slides out there but I got better as the session went on. I've definitley got more to come for the race."

Qualifying results 

1. Ross Connolly       1:12.5

2. Ross Richards      1:12.6

3. Mark Cheetham    1:12.9

4. Duncan Bedwell    1:14.2

5. Paul Rogers          1:15.8