BEN WILSON – THRUXTON
Despite
suffering major set backs in free practise and qualifying plus a non-finish in
the first race Ben Wilson rode to a gutsy 13th place finish and
netted a further three championship points at Thruxton in round three of the
2006 Bennetts British Superbike championship on Easter Monday.
Ben had been
having problems all weekend with set up on the Vivaldi Suzuki and was left
floundering down in 22nd place after the three free practise
sessions, but was confident that he could produce a fast lap in the qualifying
period.
After circulating for most of the session in the mid teens Ben dropped back as
other riders began to use their sticky rubber. With 15 minutes remaining Ben
pitted for his second qualifying tyre and was on his out lap when the red flag
came out to halt the session. When they finally got back on track Ben was again
on his out lap when the red flag was waved again after Ben’s teammate Scott
Smart fell.
Hampered with
the prospect of starting Monday’s set of two races from a sixth row grid
position a good start was imperative and true to form Ben got away to a flyer.
He was up to 14th on the first lap and moved up a further place next
time around. But his efforts were all in vain when just a couple of laps later
the Vivaldi Suzuki spluttered to a halt forcing Ben retire.
“I have no idea what the problem was,” said Ben. “It just stopped, all we
can think is that it is an electrical problem.”
Undeterred Ben
took his place on the grid for the second encounter moving straight up to 17th
place on the opening lap. As the laps ticked by Ben forged further ahead to
become embroiled in an eight-rider battle for position.
The action was
hectic with Ben heading the group in 12th place for the majority of
the 22 laps. Places were exchanged within the group on every lap but it all came
to a head on the final lap when Ben got a good run through Church and flew past
four riders going down the back straight to hold station and secure 13th
place at the flag.
“That was some race,” said Ben. “I would have liked a higher finish
position although I realised that because of my low grid position that was to be
unlikely. But I certainly knew I had been in a race and at least I have salvaged
something from the weekend.”
Ben now moves up
to 14th place in the championship standings on 19 points and he will
be looking for two strong finishes in round four at Oulton Park to add further
to his points tally.
Ben’s Vivaldi teammates also encountered problems over the weekend. Scott
Smart rode through to 10th and 11th after suffering a huge
qualifying crash while Ollie Bridewell was forced to retire in the opening
stages of race one and crashed unhurt in the second leg. His brother Tom failed
to complete a lap in the British Supersport race, he too suffering technical
problems with the Suzuki.
Report by Helen Pask
Picture courtesy of Turn One
Photography
|
