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Pitt Wins The Race And the Championship
Issued 5th October 2008
 Andrew Pitt (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR) won his fifth WSS race of the 2008 season and in doing so took the overall World championship win, with one round remaining.
It was Pitt’s second title in this class, and his first Honda championship victory makes it seven straight riders’ titles in this class for Honda, all for riders from the Ten Kate Team.
Jonathan Rea (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR) started the day only 11 points from Pitt, but after he was knocked off in a crash at the Adelaide hairpin on lap ten, when Robbin Harms ran in too hot and clipped Rea’s back tyre, his championship hopes were dashed.
Rea remounted to finish tenth, having qualified second, one place ahead of Pitt.
Josh Brookes (Hannspree Stiggy Motorsports Honda CBR600RR) could not quite get into contention with Pitt on the last few laps, but took a strong third place, behind the new champion and Barry Veneman. Brookes will now dispute second in the series with Rea at the final round at Portimao, on November 2.
The points total at the top of the standings, with one race to go, reads Pitt 194, Rea 164, Brookes 157 and Broc Parkes 139.
 Behind the leaders, Gianluca Nannelli (Hannspree Althea Honda CBR600RR) secured seventh place after qualifying tenth, but his team-mate Russell Holland (Hannspree Althea Honda CBR600RR) crashed, remounted and finally limped home in 21st place.
Josh Hayes, (Parkalgar Honda CBR600RR) had a remarkable ride from 19th on the grid to ninth.
Robbin Harms (Hannspree Stiggy Motorsports Honda CBR600RR) remounted after his collision with Rea and took 15th, and a single championship point.
Pitt said: “Well, you can’t say I didn’t win a race with this championship! Johnny missed out today and I’m sure it would’ve been a tough battle right to the end.”
“I didn’t actually know that he was out until I worked it out by looking at the big TV screen! I needed a bit of luck, having been taken out myself a couple of times this season.”
“But I have never enjoyed a season as much as this – the team is just a fantastic bunch of guys to work for and the way everyone pulled together yesterday to put my bike back together was just typical of the spirit here.”
 “I’d like to thank Ronald and Gerrit (Ten Kate) for having the faith in me and giving me such a competitive machine. I’m happy to repay that faith today.”
Rea said: “I felt I could have run at whatever pace I wanted today. I just found it difficult to pass Andrew down the straights and I doubt I would have broken away.”
“I’ll put what happened down as a racing incident, and I’m not one to bear a grudge – it’s just a shame I won’t be able to battle for the title in Portugal.”
“But congratulations to Andrew, who’s been on it all season. He’s a worthy champion and I’m really happy for him and the whole team.”
Brookes said: “It has been a difficult weekend for me and not finding the right settings on my bike in qualifying left me starting from eighth place on the grid.”
“Also, this morning, I had a crash, which meant I had to use my second bike for the race. Once things settled down, I felt good on the bike and everything was working really well. I was able to push harder and harder every lap and gradually worked my way up.”
“Pitt, Veneman and I then fought for the lead, but I got stuck behind Veneman in third place and couldn't get past him again. A win would’ve been great, but I’m really happy with my podium today.”
 Harms said: “The bike was feeling OK and I got a good start from my seventh place on the grid. But after a couple of laps I started having grip problems.”
“ The bike was sliding pretty badly here and there, but I wanted to stay in the front group, so I pushed hard to keep up the pace.”
“But on one lap I missed my braking point. I thought I could save it, but instead I ran into Rea in front of me.”
“I'm really sorry that it happened. It was not my intention at all; it was just an honest mistake. I got back in the race and managed to finish in 15th place, but I don’t feel it was a good weekend for us.”
Nannelli said: “My start was not so good so I did my best to push in the race. My pace was pretty fast at the beginning but after a few laps I felt some problem on my rear tyre. The same thing I felt during the practices.”
 “I fought with Roccoli in the last laps and I reached the seventh position, but I’m not satisfied with my final result, because today we lost a good opportunity to take an important result.”
Hayes said: “That was one tough race. I got a good start and was 12th by the end of the first lap. After that I got into my rhythm and pushed as hard as I could.”
“A couple of changes to my bike and sheer willpower made the difference today and I am glad to have taken a step forward in the race.”
“Next time out I’ll want to be even better, I think we are good enough for the top six and I’d love to deliver that to the team at its home track.”
 Holland said: “I am really disappointed with today's result of course. My race had been going well until my crash.”
“I had a good start and I was fighting with Vizziello for tenth position.”
“I was faster in some parts of the track, but when I tried to overtake him suddenly my front lost grip and I crashed.”
“I started again because my bike was not damaged but I was only able to pass one rider in front of me before the end of the race.”
Results SUPERSPORT
Race : (Laps 22 = 97,042 Km)
1 / PITT / AUS / Honda CBR600RR / Hannspree Ten Kate Honda
2 / VENEMAN / NED / Suzuki GSX-R600 / RES Software Hoegee Suzuki 0
3 / BROOKES / AUS / Honda CBR600RR / Hannspree Stiggy Motors
4 / LAGRIVE / FRA / Honda CBR600RR / Intermoto Czech
5 / VAN KEYMEULEN / BEL / Suzuki GSX-R600 / RES Software Hoegee Suzuki
6 / ROCCOLI / ITA / Yamaha YZF-R6 / Yamaha Lorenzini by Leoni
7 / NANNELLI / ITA / Honda CBR600RR / Hannspree Honda Althea
8 / FORET / FRA / Yamaha YZF-R6 / Yamaha World Supersport
9 / HAYES / USA / Honda CBR600RR / Parkalgar Racing Team
10 / REA / GBR / Honda CBR600RR / Hannspree Ten Kate Honda
11 / VIZZIELLO / ITA / Honda CBR600RR / Benjan Racing Team
12 / FUJIWARA / JPN / Kawasaki ZX-6R / Kawasaki Gil Motor Sport
13 / VOSTÁREK / CZE / Honda CBR600RR / Intermoto Czech
14 / CLEMENTI / ITA / Triumph 675 / Triumph Italia BE1 Racing
15 / HARMS / DEN / Honda CBR600RR / Hannspree Stiggy Motors
Fastest Lap 5 Broc Parkes 1'42.593 154,782 Km/h
Lap record: 2007 Kenan Sofuoglu 1'42.740 154,560 Km/h
Best Lap: 2008 Broc Parkes 1'41.543 156,380 Km/h
Riders Championship Standings:
1 PITT 194, 2 REA 164, 3 BROOKES 157, 4 PARKES 139, 5 LASCORZ 105, 6 FORET 105, 7 JONES 100, 8 VENEMAN 92, 9 HARMS 71, 10 NANNELLI 60, 11 ROCCOLI 58,
12 LAGRIVE 56, 13 VIZZIELLO 52, 14 AITCHISON 40, 15 VAN KEYMEULEN 38.
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