MAP Raceways Yamaha rider Billy McConnell got his Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport Championship off to the perfect start this weekend at Brands Hatch by taking pole position and the race win, giving him the fledgling championship lead.
He got off to a good start and led the race for the first four laps until a hard- riding Dan Linfoot came by. McConnell held second place right until the final lap when he made his definitive move on Linfoot as they tipped into Paddock Hill bend. He then put in an inch-perfect lap to take the chequered flag and the race win.
Team-mate, Lee Johnston, made a solid start in his debut Supersport race finishing in fifth place. He held onto fourth place up until lap 12 when he came under the scrutiny of the hugely-experienced Steve Plater who stole past him at Druids.
Allan Jon Venter, the third and final member of the MAP Raceways Yamaha team, suffered a DNF due to an electrical issue. However, the young South African had made a blinding start from 18th on the grid to battle it out in the top ten. He was nearing seventh place when he had to retire.
McConnell:
” That was unbelievable and a big relief to us and the team. Steve has put a lot of faith in me and I really wanted to repay him and the team. So pole position and the race win is a good start to the season. I knew where I was strong and it was when Steve Plater showed me his front wheel I knew I needed to make a pass. I got the slipstream and had a good run so on the last lap I just concentrated on my lines. I’m so happy that all our hard work has paid off and it is a credit to our sponsors and the team.”
Johnston:
“I got a good start and was in fourth but just couldn’t hold onto the leaders. I did hold my own until Plater came past me and I was quite pleased as I thought it would be good to follow him. He managed to pull a little gap and I wasn’t able to go with him, but for the first race I’m at the front so I’m pleased.”
Venter:
“I got a very good start and I could see the leaders. I was behind James Westmoreland and was hanging with him so all the changes we made on my suspension worked really well. I have to thank K-Tech for that. I was doing consistent 47-second laps when my bike started to slow and two laps later I had to pull in. I was on a good charge and I felt good plus my training has been paying off. I know the potential is there as my bike is awesome. Thanks to everyone especially MAP and Steve for making this happen. I’m now looking forward to Oulton Park as I’m determined to do well.”
Steve Rodgers, MAP Raceways Yamaha Team Manager:
“We couldn’t have got things off to a better start. Billy in first, Lee in fifth and AJ chasing seventh until he had an electrical problem. We hope to build on things from here.”
The second round of the Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport championship will take place at Oulton Park in Cheshire on the 2nd – 4th May.
Race results 1. Billy McConnell MAP Raceways Yamaha 19:54.680 2. Steve Plater Honda +0.134
3. Dan Linfoot Yamaha +0.462
4. Hudson Kennaugh Yamaha +0.674
5. Lee Johnston MAP Raceways Yamaha +6.4576. James Webb Honda +10.511
DNF. Allan Jon Venter MAP Raceways Yamaha +5 lapsChampionship standing after round 1 of 12
1. Billy McConnell MAP Raceways Yamaha 252. Steve Plater Honda 20
3. Dan Linfoot Yamaha 16
4. Hudson Kennaugh Yamaha 13
5. Lee Johnston MAP Raceways Yamaha 11
Jones Snares Second Place at Brands HatchLuke Jones took a tough second place finish on his MAP Raceways Yamaha at the opening round of the Metzeler National Superstock 600 Championship at Brands Hatch today.
The race was eventful to say the least with a four-rider smash resulting in a fireball halting proceedings nine laps in. It had to be re-started and the riders took up their grid positions based on their race positions. Jones started from fourth second time round and dug deep to take a hard fought second place.
Team-mate Nikki Coates started the first leg by leading from eighth on the grid but it wasn’t until a lap before the red flag that he was informed he had jumped the start. He took up pole position for the re-start but had to come in immediately for his ride-through which scuppered his race and left him in 30th position.
Mike McLean also had a tough race as he was punted from his MAP Raceways Yamaha at Druids hairpin two laps from the end of the race. He had been running in 13th position on the re-start and looked on for a points finish but unfortunately that was not to be.
Jones: “I didn’t get the start I wanted and I got caught up for the first couple of laps. Once I had some clear track I was able to catch the two guys in front. Second place is second place and the points will be useful. I’m very happy with everything and the team have worked so hard so a big thanks to them.”
Coates: “In the first part of the race I went from eight on the grid to the lead. Unfortunately, two guys in front of me jumped the start and I had followed their lead so I ended up with a jump start too. I led the race for ten laps and then it was red flagged. On the re-start I had to take my ride-through penalty so that really messed up my second part of the race. I’m disappointed with how it all turned out but at the start I felt comfortable, I was good on the brakes and no one was trying to pas me. I’m now looking to Oulton Park.”
McLean: “I was going into Druids in 13th place when someone behind me went in too hot and just bumped into me. I crashed and he stayed on. I can’t believe it but up until that point it was going well.”
Steve Rodgers, MAP Raceways Yamaha Team Manager:
“A mixed bag of results but the potential is there. I’m really pleased for Luke and I know there is more to come from the others.”
The second round of the Metzeler National Superstock 600 championship will take place at Oulton Park in Cheshire on the 2nd – 4th May.
Race results1. Patrick McDougall Yamaha 9:54.944
2. Luke Jones MAP Raceways Yamaha +0.3663. Joe Burns Yamaha +0.605
4. Johnny Blackshaw Yamaha +1.555
5. Luke Stapleford Kawasaki +2.267
6. Liam Lyon Yamaha +4.092
30. Nikki Coates MAP Raceways Yamaha +24.936
DNF. Mike McLean MAP Raceways Yamaha +3 lapsChampionship standings after round 1 of 12
1. Patrick McDougall Yamaha 25
2. Luke Jones MAP Raceways Yamaha 203. Joe Burns Yamaha 16
4. Johnny Blackshaw Yamaha 13
5. Luke Stapleford Kawasaki 11
6. Liam Lyon Yamaha 10
