It was an eventful start for the Yamaha R1 cup even before making it onto the track. The transporter carrying all the 2008 Yamaha YZF-R1 race bikes was sandwiched between two artic lorries on route from Scunthorpe to Brands Hatch.

The three-lorry pile up was believed to have occurred with the first two artics slowing down with the third severely running into the rear of the second, pushing it forward into the first. Fortunately nobody was hurt apart from a couple of cases of whiplash. Each of the 23 bikes were cosmetically damaged including a variety of k-tex forks, fairings and tanks in addition to the damage to the trailer units.

The bikes are intended to be repaired by tomorrow practice session when the championship is due to make its debut on track. The R1 Cup was not scheduled to be on circuit today so currently this has not affected any time on track for the teams and their riders, but it certainly has turned the preparation plan into a pressurised race of its own.