BEN WILSON – OULTON PARK REPORT

For the second race in succession the pace car and red flag denied Boston racer Ben Wilson a podium finish and he ended his National Superstock race at Oulton Park in fourth place.

Even qualifying proved to be frustrating for Ben as, having completed the opening session in sixth place he was hopeful of further progress in the final session to elevate him to a front row grid position. But the weather put paid to his plans as the rain set in preventing Ben from securing a fast lap.

As the race got underway Ben moved straight into fourth position at Old Hall Bend on the opening lap gaining further places to second at the same corner two laps later. He went on to briefly hold the lead from Steve Brogan but Brogan fought back and regained his position at Lodge near to the end of the lap.

Progress was halted by the safety car, which was deployed for two laps and as the race got underway once again the rain began to fall. Brogan, who was leading, slowed allowing Ben to shoot past but he slipped off the bike at the hairpin just as the red flag brought an abrupt end to the race.

It was decided to delay the re-run which was to be an eight lap dash to the flag, until after the second Superbike race which gave Ben time to make repairs to the damaged fairing caused when he fell.

“I was gutted when the race was stopped,” said Ben. “I really thought I was on for my first win there.”

The grid was determined from race positions and subsequently Ben was placed on the front row in second position.

At the re-start Ben shot away in the lead with the rest of the field in hot pursuit. He held station for two of the planned eight

laps but was eventually overhauled by Howie Mainwaring on the MV Agusta who went on to win the race.

There were six riders queuing up behind Ben, who was passed first by Lincoln rider Lee Jackson and then series leader Glen Richards. But Ben stayed with them and was poised to make a move back into a podium position when the rain again began to fall, bringing out the red flag to end the race leaving Ben again to claim fourth place.

“That was another difficult race for me because of the pace car involvement and two red flags.

“I am very disappointed as I feel I could have won the original race, I was running a close second and had the pace to take the lead but the rain put a stop to that and I pushed a bit too hard at the hairpin and came off!

“Then at the second start I just struggled to be consistent. I got stuck behind Luke Quigley and he held me up allowing the group behind to catch and pass us.”

Fourth place gives Ben a further 13 championship points but he drops a position to joint sixth with Lee Jackson on 43 points.

Next Round Snetterton – May 20.

Pic credit - Dean Owen