Round 7 - Snetterton
18th July 2010
BEN WILSON FIFTH AT SNETTERTON
Despite a disappointing qualifying position, Ben Wilson powered his Gearlink Kawasaki through to fifth place in round seven of the British Supersport championship at Snetterton in Norfolk on Sunday and although he picked up a further 11 championship points he was overtaken in the title race by race winner Graeme Gowland.
Practice and qualifying were disrupted by a problem with the track surface at Russell’s chicane and the subsequent delay meant that qualifying was reduced to just one 30-minute session instead of the usual two. Wilson from Kirton near Boston was only able to record a fast enough time to claim a start from row three of the grid down in 11th place and explained: “I really do not know what happened in qualifying; it just didn’t work out for me. I was unable to put a fast lap together and therefore I am left to start Sunday’s race from the third row. I need to get away quickly if I am going to be in the hunt for maximum points tomorrow.”
True to his word, Wilson got away to a flyer and made up five places on the first lap, crossing the start line on lap two in sixth position. He moved up to fourth one lap later and then to third on lap four where he remained for the majority of the race. Although he challenged fellow Lincolnshire rider Sam Lowes for second place on more than one occasion he was unable to make the move stick and as the race progressed into the final stages his tyre began to wear and he was forced to slow.
With three laps remaining, Wilson was reeled in by Daniel Cooper and on the final lap was caught and passed by Glen Richards which left him to cross the finish line in fifth position.
Although not quite the result he had hoped for Wilson had the consolation of recording the fastest lap of the race with a time of 1m 07.598s – 103.95mph on lap three of 20.
“I am disappointed with that result,” said Wilson. “I was holding third for the majority of the time and holding strong with the leaders. I thought I could have a go at them towards the end but the tyre went off with about six laps to go and from there onwards I started on a bit of a downer but that’s the way it goes, fifth is better than nothing! Its not a bad result from where we qualified so we have turned it around a little bit and hopefully we can carry this on and do a better job at Brands Hatch.”
Race winner Graeme Gowland scored maximum points and overhauled Wilson in the rider standings. He now trails Gowland by 13 points in fifth place but a good result at Brands Hatch in the next round could see him reverse that once again and put him right back in contention for a top three placing.
By Helen Pask
Despite a disappointing qualifying position, Ben Wilson powered his Gearlink Kawasaki through to fifth place in round seven of the British Supersport championship at Snetterton in Norfolk on Sunday and although he picked up a further 11 championship points he was overtaken in the title race by race winner Graeme Gowland.
Practice and qualifying were disrupted by a problem with the track surface at Russell’s chicane and the subsequent delay meant that qualifying was reduced to just one 30-minute session instead of the usual two. Wilson from Kirton near Boston was only able to record a fast enough time to claim a start from row three of the grid down in 11th place and explained: “I really do not know what happened in qualifying; it just didn’t work out for me. I was unable to put a fast lap together and therefore I am left to start Sunday’s race from the third row. I need to get away quickly if I am going to be in the hunt for maximum points tomorrow.”
True to his word, Wilson got away to a flyer and made up five places on the first lap, crossing the start line on lap two in sixth position. He moved up to fourth one lap later and then to third on lap four where he remained for the majority of the race. Although he challenged fellow Lincolnshire rider Sam Lowes for second place on more than one occasion he was unable to make the move stick and as the race progressed into the final stages his tyre began to wear and he was forced to slow.
With three laps remaining, Wilson was reeled in by Daniel Cooper and on the final lap was caught and passed by Glen Richards which left him to cross the finish line in fifth position.
Although not quite the result he had hoped for Wilson had the consolation of recording the fastest lap of the race with a time of 1m 07.598s – 103.95mph on lap three of 20.
“I am disappointed with that result,” said Wilson. “I was holding third for the majority of the time and holding strong with the leaders. I thought I could have a go at them towards the end but the tyre went off with about six laps to go and from there onwards I started on a bit of a downer but that’s the way it goes, fifth is better than nothing! Its not a bad result from where we qualified so we have turned it around a little bit and hopefully we can carry this on and do a better job at Brands Hatch.”
Race winner Graeme Gowland scored maximum points and overhauled Wilson in the rider standings. He now trails Gowland by 13 points in fifth place but a good result at Brands Hatch in the next round could see him reverse that once again and put him right back in contention for a top three placing.
By Helen Pask
