SWAN Yamaha's Michael Laverty led team-mate Tommy Hill over the line in a shortened MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship race at Cadwell Parkl today.

MLav led from lights to red flag at the Lincolnshire circuit after getting a quick getaway from pole position.

Third was the Relentless Suzuki by TAS machine of Josh Brookes, who's result was marred by an incident involving Michael Rutter.

TOMMY Hill starts from pole for today's MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship race at Brands Hatch after shattering the lap record - while local boy Graeme Gowland leads the Evo class.

Hill secured the top spot at his local track with a hot lap of 1.26.360 onboard the Guisborough-based Swan Yamaha, ahead of this afternoon's race at the Grand Prix circuit.

And in the Mirror.co.uk BSB-Evo Championship, it was the WFR Honda of Gowland which was the cream of the crop, qualifying first in class and an impressive 10th overall.

SWAN Yamaha riders Tommy Hill and Michael Laverty are chasing victory as they head to Brands Hatch for a triple-header.

This weekend will see Round Eight of the 2011 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship roar into action at the Kent track with three races around the GP circuit.

Hill is looking to build on his win at Oulton Park last month as he heads to his home track, but he can expect to have Laverty snapping at his heels as both riders bid to reach the top six in the overall standings as the Showdown heads ever closer.
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Who would have thought spitting on an audience of school kids would be so funny?

THE factory Yamaha squad have this afternoon announced they will quit World Superbikes at the end of this season.

The shock announcement comes just 24-hours after the team celebrated two seconds and two thirds with riders Eugene Laverty and Marco Melandri at Silverstone.

It means both riders will be looking for a job come season end, and will surely come as a bitter pill to swallow for fans of honorary Durham star Laverty, who has so far posted an impressive rookie season and lies fourth in the champsionship.

THE region's newest arrival in the British Superbike paddock has revealed he has one plan for this season - to win the Mirror.co.uk BSB Evo Championship in his first attempt.

Barry Burrell - aka Bazza - of Bishop Auckland, County Durham, is now seeking help with sponsors as he bids to take the title this season.

With the season now at the half-way point, the Buildbase BMW pilot has revealed to Burning Rubber that he is still seeking sponsors to help him finish the season.

How you would write out Fat Pat now actress Pam St Clement is about to leave EastEnders?

Tough one but see if you can do any better than this....

Who would have thought, in this day and age, that censorship was still an issue?

But it is. Just ask Lee Hall, creator of Billy Elliot.

So that's what Fiona Bruce was doing sitting in a deck chair on the beach at Cullercoats.

Wimbledon is a time for over-priced strawberries and cream and watching Andy Murray practicing for a gurning competition.