BSB - Haslam excluded over Sykes crash

Eurosport - Wed, 07 May 10:16:00 2008

Leon Haslam has been excluded from race two of the BSB Oulton Park round after his clash with Tom Sykes.

2008 BSB Oulton Park Leon Haslam Tom Sykes - 0

Honda lost an appeal against the decision to strip him of fourth place as stewards upheld a ruling of careless driving against him.

The HM Plant Honda man came together with Sykes for the second weekend in a row and once again the Suzukl man ended up out of the race.

Haslam said he considered the accident a racing incident and voiced disappointment at his disqualification.

"Tom made a mistake into the chicane and I was always on the inside of him. I knew we were going to hit but I tried to avoid him by letting off the brakes," he said.

"We've said it's a racing incident and so did Tom. The decision is a complete joke."

Sykes said: "Leon has been in to see me and held his hands up for the accident but it's just a big let-down for me.

"All I know is that he jumped the kerb trying to out-brake me and I ended up paying the big price for his mistake."

Alex Chick / Eurosport