Hill gets Hislop award for efforts.

The Virgin Mobile Yamaha British Superbike squad drew the season to close Sunday afternoon at the final round of the 2004 British Superbike Championship at Donington Park as rookie Superbike rider Tommy Hill was awarded the Steve Hislop Memorial Trophy for the Rider of the Year.

Once again Haydon had the most impressive overall result of the day with two eighth place finishes. Haydon, who had qualified in twelfth place, put in a strong performance around the 2.5-mile Leicestershire track despite suffering with a knee injury that he sustained in a 140mph off in qualifying the previous day.

Haydon joined the team as a substitute rider for the injured Steve Plater, but was offered a ride when he impressed Rob Mac, the team boss, with his results.

"I really could have done without injuring my knee yesterday," said Haydon. "Racing here is extremely physical and you really need to muscle the bike round the course. In the second race I got a very poor start, that and a combination of a sore knee really prevented me from gaining the lost ground. I have really enjoyed racing for the team again and I would like to thank Virgin Mobile Samsung, Rob Mac and all the guys for making it happen and making it so enjoyable."

Tommy Hill closed his first year as a Superbike rider with a tenth and fourteenth place. Hill, who has not only impressed his fellow racers but the Superbike fraternity as a whole with his performances throughout the season was the proud recipient of the Steve Hislop Memorial Trophy for the Young Rider of the Year.

Hill was voted the winner of the trophy by the three-times British Superbike Champions Neil McKenzie and John Reynolds, who was crowned the 2004 British Superbike Champion at Donington Park today.

"To receive such a trophy is a great honour especially when you are voted by McKenzie and Reynolds," commented Hill. "It certainly will take pride of place at home. I may not have picked up a superbike trophy yet but this certainly will do nicely for now."

Steve Plater finished his 2004 British Superbike campaign in the same unfortunate vein that has plagued the luckless rider this season.

In the opening race of the day Steve was caught up in a first lap incident when Kieran Clarke highsided at Craner Curves forcing the Lincolnshire rider to take evasive action which brought his race to a swift end.

In the second Superbike fixture Plater retained his qualifying position and finished in tenth.

The fourth member of the team Gary Mason improved on his qualifying position of 14th in both races, finishing in ninth and twelfth in the first and second races respectively.

"This year has been very demanding on everyone in the team and they have worked relentlessly" said team boss Rob McElnea. "At the beginning of the year we had a brand new package with the Yamaha R1 and have made it a race-winning bike and I thank them for that. I would also like to extend my thanks to Virgin Mobile, Samsung, Vent Axia and all our associated partners for making this year possible and for their continued support."