Top Tens All Round for MAP Raceways Yamaha
Billy McConnell crossed the line in fourth place which wasn’t what he had been aiming for but he managed to pull valuable points back on Championship leader Steve Plater. It was a frantic race and McConnell did a good job of staying calm and racing for the points.
McConnell:
“That was a tough race. I was just going for the points as there were some people in front of me who don’t have so much to lose. I saw Plater go down so I went for as many points as I could manage. I’m not happy with fourth as I wanted a podium but it is strong points. I’m really looking forward to Mallory now as we have tested there and my MAP Raceways Yamaha went well.”
Lee Johnston had a superb ride racing through the pack from tenth place to finish in fifth. The young Ulsterman was also pushing his team-mate McConnell and got ahead of him for a number of laps.
Johnston:
“It was a good result but I’m still disappointed as I was lapping faster than the leaders as I was coming through. I got duffed up at the hairpin and was run out wide onto the grass. I got over that and hooked onto Billy’s back wheel when the race was red flagged. I had hoped to go for the podium. I’m not fully fit yet but I was eager to overcome that. Mallory is next and I’ve never been there I hope to squeeze in a test so I’m not going there blind.”
Allan Jon Venter also had a good solid race and put his bad luck behind him. Not only did he score points but got into the top ten as well.
Venter:
“My MAP Raceways Yamaha felt good and it was a good race. I lost my gap to Chris Martin who I had been following so I ended up riding on my own; it was hard to keep my concentration. I’m happy to be the first South African home and I’ve got to say thanks to my mechanic Jason, to MAP, to Raceways and to K-Tech. I can’t wait to get to Mallory Park as we tested there recently and I was fast.”
The seventh round of the Fuchs-Silkolene British Superbike Championship will take place at Mallory Park in Leicestershire on the 17th – 19th July.
Race results:
1. Ben Wilson Kawasaki 20:24.699
2. James Westmoreland Triumph +0.328
3. Daniel Cooper Honda +0.948
4. Billy McConnell MAP Raceways Yamaha +1.172
5. Lee Johnston MAP Raceways Yamaha +1.345
6. Ian Hutchinson Honda +1.914
7. Tom Grant Honda + 2.313
8. Chris Martin Kawasaki +4.887
9. Allan Jon Venter MAP Raceways Yamaha +1 lap
10. Sam Lowes Honda +1 lap
Championship standings:
1. Steve Plater 100
2. Bill McConnell 85
3. Daniel Cooper 73
4. James Westmoreland 72
5. Ben Wilson 72
6. Dan Linfoot 52
7. James Webb 43
8. Hudson Kennaugh 39
9. Tom Grant 39
10. Lee Johnson 36
18. Allan Jon Venter 14
Photo credit: Dave Couldwell
