BEN WILSON – SNOWED OFF AT BRANDS HATCH

Ben Wilson was left disappointed at Brands Hatch when heavy snow caused the racing to be abandoned without a wheel being turned on Sunday.

The Kent circuit was covered with 4 - 5 inches of lying snow and with the snow still falling at 11.15am the 2008 Bennetts British Superbike championship and support races were called off.

However, qualifying did take place on Saturday and Wilson from Kirton near Boston was able to get out onboard his Yamaha R1 to post the eighth fastest time ahead of the first running of the Henderson Yamaha R1 Cup.

Everything was going smoothly for the former British Superbike rider in early testing on Saturday morning and he proved to be a title contender after posting the fourth fastest lap of the session.

But it was a different story in the afternoon qualifying session as the rain began to fall. Wilson’s Yamaha developed a misfire, which slowed him a fraction. But despite this he managed to complete the session in eighth position and was confident of a strong result come race day.

“Despite the misfire I wasn’t doing too badly,” said Wilson. “But on my final run for a flying lap I got stuck in traffic and was unable to improve my time.”

However Wilson did not get the chance to prove himself as, with heavy snow covering the track, the meeting was abandoned. The qualifying results will stand and will be carried forward to the rearranged meeting at Brands Hatch due to take place over the weekend of May 10/11. All ticket holders are advised to hang on to their tickets, as they will be valid for the new date.

Wilson will now begin his title challenge at Thruxton on April 20 when it is hoped the weather will be kinder and enable a full calendar of racing to be completed.

Report by Helen Pask