Richard Cooper update

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Richard Cooper update

Postby stevebmw » Thu Sep 08, 2011 1:48 pm

Some of you will remember Richard Cooper, the likable young Englishman we sponsored a few times road racing in the U.S. Here's an update on his current activity aboard an S 1000 RR, courtesy of a press release from his team:

Buildbase BMW Motorrad’s Cooper heads to Donington Park home race with championship lead

Superstock 1000 rider Richard Cooper, from Nottinghamshire, takes a 20.5 point championship lead into this weekend's race. Donington Park is not just Cooper's home round, the team themselves are also local to the circuit. In addition to Cooper leading the Superstock Championship, Barry Burrell is currently second in the highly competitive BSB-EVO series.

Cooper and Burrell will be joined by Lee Jackson who will be riding the team’s S 1000 RR Superbike. Former British 250 and Superstock champion Jackson has assisted the Buildbase BMW Motorrad team as a test and development rider during the season.

Stuart Hicken, team principal, said: “Richard has a good, strong lead going into his home race and we’re hoping for a lot of support from his local fans. We’ll be crossing fingers, toes and anything else we can find for another storming ride from Cooper and, ideally, an even bigger championship lead by the end of Sunday. Barry has held his second place in the EVO series and we’re expecting another two great rides from him this weekend too. The level of competition has risen as the season has progressed so Barry needs to work hard to defend his position.

“Lee has been a great help to the team this season as a development rider and I’m very pleased to be able to give him an opportunity to race one of our bikes. He has a proven track record in BSB, he’s ridden for us many times in the past and he’s a very capable rider, who I’m confident will be able to both help us develop our Superbikes and deliver some solid race results.”

John Laverty, the team’s BSB rider, is now back in Northern Ireland recovering from his crash earlier this year at Oulton Park. John was recently interviewed by BBC Northern Ireland to catch up on his progress and track his recovery. To watch the interview click here.

Qualifying for the BSB/BSB-EVO Championships will be broadcast live on British Eurosport 2 on Saturday from 11:30am and live race action starts at 12:30pm on Sunday.

Superstock 1000 championship standings

1) 155.5pts - Richard Cooper (Buildbase BMW Motorrad)
5) 135pts - Danny Buchan (MSS Kawasaki)
3) 89pts - Luke Quigley (Astro BMW)
4) 88pts - Howie Mainwaring (MSS Kawasaki)
5) 86.5pts - Adam Jenkinson (Padgetts Honda)

Image

GO SUPER-COOPER!
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Re: Richard Cooper update

Postby Unity » Thu Sep 08, 2011 3:25 pm

He's a real charger. It'd be great to see him finish at the top of the standings.

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Re: Richard Cooper update

Postby Yellowjacket » Thu Sep 08, 2011 5:38 pm

Great news!. He is a go-getter. How does he get his foot on the ground? :D
Baldovini who rides in BMW Italia came from Superstock, so Richard could get into the Superbike circuit or a chance to test for a BMW superbike team in the future.
His light weight can be construed as an unfair advantage. :D

BTW the third place is also on a BMW.
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Re: Richard Cooper update

Postby Slider » Thu Sep 08, 2011 7:46 pm

ah, someone who knows how to "slide a knee!"
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Re: Richard Cooper update

Postby Cindy C » Fri Sep 23, 2011 10:25 am

Being small has advantages except being able to touch the ground. He should be able to on the RR bike. When he raced at VIR he was totally off the bike at the starts but still was able to kick most riders butts. I can't wait to see him race again live. He is one great racer, on his weight he can't help it if he is a "tightly packed racing machine". He can put some food away though, I don't think we ever filled him up.

Way to go COOP! =D>
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Re: Richard Cooper update

Postby stevebmw » Thu Sep 29, 2011 10:48 am

And he's officially the champion! Well done, Richard!

Check it out:

Buildbase BMW Motorrad rider Richard Cooper secures the Superstock 1000 title at Silverstone.

Nottinghamshire rider Richard Cooper has won the 2011 Metzeler National Superstock 1000 Championship at the penultimate round. Cooper qualified in pole position for the race at Silverstone – a race that he had a 45.5-point lead heading into. Despite a poor start, which saw him drop back to 20th position, Cooper fought his way back through the pack to finish sixth, overtaking 14 riders on his way to the championship victory. With a 46.5-point lead and a maximum of 25 points available from the final round at Brands Hatch, Cooper has secured the title.

Richard Cooper said: “I’m feeling relieved! That was the hardest race of my life and definitely the worst start of my life! But I fought back from 20th to sixth, all the while nervous of braking too hard or opening the throttle too fast. It’s a big result for me and for the Buildbase BMW Motorrad team.

“I’d like to thank BMW Motorrad for giving me the opportunity to ride their S 1000 RR these past two years, for helping me cure my arm pump and helping us win this championship. I look forward to the final round at Brands Hatch where I hope we can round off the season with another podium finish.”

Barry Burrell, the team’s BSB-EVO rider, took a third and fourth place in the day’s two EVO races, which leaves him in third place in the highly competitive series. Lee Jackson, riding the team’s Superbike-spec BMW S 1000 RR, brought his bike home in 23rd and 26th places.

Stuart Hicken, team principal, said: “It’s been a very, very good weekend for us. We’d hoped that Richard and Barry would defend their championship positions – which we’ve achieved – but we’re also leaving with the Superstock 1000 title in the bag. Richard didn’t make it easy, but he delivered the title with a race still to run. We’d like to thank everyone involved for their support with taking Richard’s first ever title and BMW Motorrad’s second consecutive Superstock 1000 title.

“Barry delivered two more impressive results, a third and a fourth, while Lee has improved on his recent finishes, improved his lap times all weekend while also delivering very useful feedback which will prove to be very useful with the ongoing development of our S 1000 RRs.”

The final round of the year, Brands Hatch, takes place in two weeks time.

Superstock 1000 championship standings

1) 190.5pts – Richard Cooper (Buildbase BMW Motorrad)
2) 144pts - Danny Buchan (MSS Kawasaki)
3) 130pts - Luke Quigley (Astro BMW)
4) 116pts - Tristan Palmer (GBMoto Honda)
5) 104pts - Howie Mainwaring (MSS Kawasaki)

BSB-EVO championship standings

1) 403pts - Glen Richards (WFR Honda)
2) 321pts - Graeme Gowland (WFR Honda)
3) 290pts - Barry Burrell (Buildbase BMW Motorrad)
4) 246pts - Patric Muff (Tyco Honda)
5) 228pts - Scott Smart (Moto Rapido Ducati)
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Re: Richard Cooper update

Postby Unity » Thu Sep 29, 2011 1:43 pm

=D> :thumbup:

--John
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Re: Richard Cooper update

Postby drewalex » Mon Oct 03, 2011 6:14 pm

Richard Cooper's S1000RR was stolen from Buildbase HQ, along with James Laverty's back up bike and van hours after his championship win.
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Re: Richard Cooper update

Postby stevebmw » Mon Oct 03, 2011 8:14 pm

drewalex wrote:Richard Cooper's S1000RR was stolen from Buildbase HQ, along with James Laverty's back up bike and van hours after his championship win.


http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/General-news/2011/September/sep2611-buildbase-bmw-team-offer-reward-after-robbery/

Not to minimize the crappiness of the crime, but only in the UK could you find a town named "Ashby-de-la-Zouch."
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