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BEN WILSON CLAIMS
SECOND AT MALLORY
Boston
based Ben Wilson claimed second place in the sixth round of the Henderson Yamaha
R1 Cup to finish third overall in the Spring Cup at Mallory Park on Sunday.
Wilson
was in good form and determined to close in on series leader Jon Kirkham with a
good result at Mallory. He missed out on pole position by just three-tenths of a
second to start the planned 20-lap affair from a front row grid position of
second.
“A
front row start is exactly what I need for a chance of a win here,” said
Wilson. “I can't win the Spring Cup now as I've been playing catch up since my
mechanical problem in the early part of the season. To be honest my focus has
only ever been on the overall championship win. I'm happy with my performance of
late and I'm catching the leaders bit by bit.”
But
as the riders gathered on the grid a shower of rain deferred the start and
because of the live television schedule the race was cut from 20 to 14 laps.
As
the lights went out Wilson got away to his usual lightening start and led the
field around the first three laps before being overhauled by Kirkham at
Gerrard’s chicane.
Although
he stayed in close formation with Kirkham and shook off the attentions of Sam
Warren, Wilson was unable to close the gap sufficiently to make a move on
Kirkham. But on the final lap he was just two tenths of a second behind on the
approach to Edwina’s and ready to pounce when the pair came across a
backmarker. Kirkham got a smooth passage through the chicane but Wilson was held
up and his chance was gone. He crossed the finish line for second place, just
half a second away from the win.
“I
am pleased with the result today but a little disappointed I was not on the top
step of the podium celebrating the win,” said Ben. “I came across the
backmarker at the wrong place on the last lap and that put paid to my chances. I
was stronger than Kirkham through the chicane but was held up and he got away.
But that’s how racing goes, sometimes a backmarker goes in your favour and
sometimes it benefits your opponent.
“But
the Spring Cup is behind us now and I am focussing on the second half of the
season and am hopeful of a few wins over the next set of six races.”
The
next round is at Oulton Park in three weeks time but meantime Wilson will have
his Henderson Yamaha R1 on display at Boston Bike night on Thursday, July 3.
He
is also planning a fund raising night at the Four Crossroads Public House on
July 14 where a supper of bangers and mash will be served. This will be followed
by an auction of racing memorabilia, photos etc with all proceeds going towards
helping Ben to contest the second half of the racing season.
Report
by Helen Pask
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