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BEN
WILSON – SNETTERTON
Ben
Wilson rode to a brace of top seven places at Snetterton but was denied the
chance to shine in the second of the two Superstock races because of the
adverse weather conditions that caused a long delay earlier in the day.
With
two races in the Metzeler National Superstock championship to contend with,
the 26-year-old Boston rider was anticipating another pair of strong finishes,
but a crash in qualifying put paid to a strong grid position and he had to be
content with a third row start in ninth place.
“I
was down on power in first qualifying,” said Wilson. “We made some
adjustments for the second session but it didn’t seem to make a great deal
of difference and then I crashed at the Esses so that put paid to any further
track action prior to the first race.”
The
Superstock event was first on the race programme, getting underway around
11.30am. Wilson got off to his usual flying start but was pushed back to sixth
in the rush for the first corner. Although remaining in touch with the leading
group he was unable to make much headway and completed the 15-lap affair in
seventh place.
“I
got a good start but was down on power, “ explained Wilson. “” I was
unable to do anything about it when the faster bikes came past on the long
straights at Snetterton. But on the positive side we have collected another
nine championship points and we have a second bite of the cherry later today
in the second race.”
But
it was not to be as a heavy rainstorm delayed the action causing the
Superstock race to be postponed until later in the season. With the nine
points accrued from the earlier race, Wilson moves up a place to 10th
in the rider standings.
A
wet track greeted Wilson when he came out for the fifth round of the Henderson
Yamaha R1 Cup and with a drying wind it was always going to be a difficult
race.
But
Wilson was ready for more race action and set off from a second row grid
position in search of further championship points.
He
was soon up with the leaders and challenging for a podium position but as the
track began to dry he was forced to run wide in search of a wet line to
conserve his tyres.
He
finally crossed the finish line in fifth place to claim a further 11
championship points which move him up to third in the rider standings.
“It
was a bit wet out there but not wet enough towards the end of the race,”
said Wilson. “I didn’t really enjoy the race, I had a few big moments
which dropped me back from the top three but I am pretty pleased with the
points and we have moved up to third in the championship.
I was having to look for the wet line all the time because my back tyre
was breaking up. But we finished the race in one piece and picked up the
points so I am happy with that.”
The
R1 Cup takes a break from championship action to showcase the series at the
British Grand Prix at Donington on Saturday where the riders will entertain
the crowds to a double helping of race action on qualifying day.
Report by Helen Pask
Pic credit Dean Owen
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