Round 6 - Knockhill
04th July 2010
SECOND PLACE FOR BEN WILSON AT KNOCKHILL
Gearlink Kawasaki rider Ben Wilson rode to a strong second place at a rain swept Knockhill in round six of the British Supersport championship on Sunday to move back up to fourth in the title chase.
Qualifying didn’t go quite to plan for the Lincolnshire rider from Kirton near Boston and he had to be content with a start from the head of the third row as ninth fastest rider.
But as race day dawned the promised heavy rain arrived causing havoc to the race programme. Following a lengthy delay the Supersport race was reduced to 15 laps and got underway in wet and windy conditions.
Wilson shrugged off the wind and rain and got away to a good start moving through to take up fifth position on the first lap. He was demoted to sixth one lap later and his progress was thwarted when the pace car was deployed for a couple of laps. But once the race resumed Wilson got his head down and edged nearer to the riders ahead taking both Ian Hutchinson and Dan Cooper in one foul swoop at the hairpin on lap 10 to secure second place and begin his charge towards the race leader some way ahead.
But the red flag came into play and brought the race to an early end when two riders went down and a result was declared at 13 laps distance giving Wilson the runner up spot and 20 championship points.
“I am happy enough with second today,” said Wilson. “We didn’t get the result we wanted in qualifying but my times have been pretty consistent in the wet and the dry and to finish in second place has put me back up to fourth so I am pleased about that. The wind didn’t really bother me as I was concentrating on my race. It was the same for everybody and we made it count. I would like to thank Gearlink Kawasaki and the team and everyone who has helped me and I am delighted to have been able to repay them with a podium finish.”
The next round is at Snetterton in Norfolk on July 18 when Wilson will be hoping for better weather and another strong result to edge him nearer to the championship leader.
By Helen Pask
Gearlink Kawasaki rider Ben Wilson rode to a strong second place at a rain swept Knockhill in round six of the British Supersport championship on Sunday to move back up to fourth in the title chase.
Qualifying didn’t go quite to plan for the Lincolnshire rider from Kirton near Boston and he had to be content with a start from the head of the third row as ninth fastest rider.
But as race day dawned the promised heavy rain arrived causing havoc to the race programme. Following a lengthy delay the Supersport race was reduced to 15 laps and got underway in wet and windy conditions.
Wilson shrugged off the wind and rain and got away to a good start moving through to take up fifth position on the first lap. He was demoted to sixth one lap later and his progress was thwarted when the pace car was deployed for a couple of laps. But once the race resumed Wilson got his head down and edged nearer to the riders ahead taking both Ian Hutchinson and Dan Cooper in one foul swoop at the hairpin on lap 10 to secure second place and begin his charge towards the race leader some way ahead.
But the red flag came into play and brought the race to an early end when two riders went down and a result was declared at 13 laps distance giving Wilson the runner up spot and 20 championship points.
“I am happy enough with second today,” said Wilson. “We didn’t get the result we wanted in qualifying but my times have been pretty consistent in the wet and the dry and to finish in second place has put me back up to fourth so I am pleased about that. The wind didn’t really bother me as I was concentrating on my race. It was the same for everybody and we made it count. I would like to thank Gearlink Kawasaki and the team and everyone who has helped me and I am delighted to have been able to repay them with a podium finish.”
The next round is at Snetterton in Norfolk on July 18 when Wilson will be hoping for better weather and another strong result to edge him nearer to the championship leader.
By Helen Pask
