BEN WILSON – SILVERSTONE

Ben Wilson was denied his first podium finish of the new season when his race was red-flagged at two-thirds distance because of a fallen rider. Ben was awarded fourth place – his best result this year – in round three of the Metzeler Racetec National Superstock championship at Silverstone on Sunday.

The Boston-based rider completed his qualifying in fifth place for a second row start to Sunday’s planned 15-lap affair but although he had made a vast improvement to his lap times Ben was a little disappointed with fifth and said: “I was aiming for a front row grid position but every time I went for a flying lap someone fell off and I had to abort the lap. That happened three times in all so things just didn’t go my way. I am on the second row but right behind the pole sitter so if I can get a good start I should be ok.”

True to form, Ben did get his flying start and moved straight into fourth place.

On lap three he forged ahead of Luke Quigley into third place and held station for three laps. Eventually Quigley fought his way back through and the pair entered into a hectic battle for third place.

But one lap later the pace car was deployed, preventing Ben from making further overtaking manoeuvres.

When the car was withdrawn at the end of lap eight Ben stayed with the top three riders and the quartet began to pull away from the pursuing pack.

But just as he was lining up Quigley to take third place the race was red-flagged for a fallen rider. Because the race had reached the two-thirds distance a result was called at 10 laps and Ben had to be content with fourth place.

“I was gutted when the race was stopped as I was looking at a podium finish, I doubt I could have won but I was chasing down second place,” said Ben. “But it wasn’t to be, although we are getting closer and its not going to be long before we are in a position to win races.”

With 30 championship points in the bag, Ben moves up to fifth place in the Superstock campaign the next race being at Oulton Park on May Monday – May 7.

Report by Helen Pask

Image by Dean Owen