Combined class press release:McConnell Second in the Supersport ChampionshipMAP Raceways Yamaha’s Billy McConnell took second place in the hard-fought Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport Championship at Oulton Park in Cheshire this afternoon.
His race didn’t quite go to plan as his tyre went off halfway through. He had a healthy lead at this point but unfortunately he was unable to keep up the pace and dropped back out of contention. He finally came over the line in a lowly 19th position but he still had enough points to keep second in the title chase.
McConnell:
“We went for a soft tyre but unfortunately it didn’t work. I got a good start and I thought it was going to be ok but my dream turned into a nightmare pretty quickly. That’s racing I guess. A podium would have been nice but we went all out and tried our best. We’ll re-group and come back stronger.”
Ulsterman Lee Johnston had his best result of the season with a fifth place finish. He has shown potential all season but it all came together at the final round where both he and his MAP Raceways Yamaha worked well.
Johnston:
“That was my best race of the year. I got a good start for a change and it was steady away. I was on the pace and I think I could have had a fourth place if I hadn’t got arm pump. My setup was superb and my tyre lasted all race. I’ve got to say thanks to MAP Raceways Yamaha for all their support this year my bike was superb.”
Allan Jon Venter also put a solid race together to come home in seventh place. He made some brave passing manoeuvres towards the end of the race and they made the difference between ninth and seventh place.
Venter:
“I got a good start and made the right tyre choice and by the first corner I’d made up two rows of the grid. I put my head down and every lap I rode my hardest. I went round the outside of Marty Nutt as I needed to prove I wasn’t scared! Thanks to Jason for all his hard work, to MAP Electronics, and Raceways Yamaha for all their help.”
Race result:1. Steve Plater Honda 24:59.665
2. James Westmoreland Triumph +3.496
3. Ben Wilson Kawasaki +7.910
4. Hudson Kennaugh Kawasaki +8.089
5. Lee Johnston MAP Raceways Yamaha +11.9426. Jack Kennedy Yamaha +15.891
7. Allan Jon Venter MAP Raceways Yamaha +17.1338. Marty Nutt Yamaha +17.218
9. BJ Toal Honda +17.304
10. Sam Lowes Honda +19.364
19. Billy McConnell MAP Raceways Yamaha +40.684 Final championship standings:1. Steve Plater 215
2. Billy McConnell 1793. James Westmoreland 171
4. Ben Wilson 137
5. Daniel Cooper 104
6. Ian Hutchinson 78
7. Dan Linfoot 72
8. Tom Grant 65
9. Hudson Kennaugh 58
10. James Webb 57
12. Lee Johnston 52
13. Allan Jon Venter 51Jones takes third in the Metzeler National Superstock ChampionshipMAP Raceways Yamaha’s Luke Jones raced to a tenth-place finish at Oulton Park today at the final round of the Metzeler National Superstock 600 Championship which was enough to give him third overall in the series.
Difficult weather conditions made for a tough race as Jones slipped from second place to tenth as the track gradually dried out. He was tied on points with Luke Mossey for second place but, as Jones has less race wins, he was pushed back to third. It was the drying conditions that casued Jones problems and forcing him to run wide.
Jones:
“When it was wet my MAP Raceways Yamaha felt good but as soon as it started to dry everyone sped up and I couldn’t. Every time I tried to push the front felt light and I was running wide and letting other riders through. It was a really frustrating race but at least I got third overall in the Championship.”
Nikki Coates from Northern Ireland had a short race as he crashed out on the opening lap. He did admit that he was a bit too eager to pass and get through the traffic.
Coates:
“I was running about sixth as I got a good start and passed a few riders as I know I was faster than them. I tried a bit too soon with one rider and he shut the door on me clipping my front end. That was it, race over.”
South African Dylan White also had a race to forget with a crash on the opening lap. He managed to re-start only to crash again and sustained a broken elbow.
Cody Nally and Mike McLean didn't take part in the race due to injuries sustained during previous rounds.
Race results:1. Luke Mossey Yamaha 23:40.790
2. Daniel Kneen Honda +1.907
3. Leon Hunt Triumph +2.972
4. Patrick McDougall Yamaha +5.781
5. Bruce Winfield Yamaha +5.906
6. Jesse Trayler Kawasaki +11.924
7. Matt Bilton Yamaha +11.996
8. Freddie Russo Yamaha +12.098
9. Josh Wainwright Yamaha +13.053
10. Luke Jones MAP Raceways Yamaha +16.015Final championship standings:1. Jamie Hamilton 165
2. Luke Mossey 143
3. Luke Jones MAP Raceways Yamaha 1434. Daniel Kneen 128
5. Matt Bilton 114
6. Jesse Trayler 113
7. Patrick McDougall 106
8. Luke Stapleford 86
9. Leon Hunt 71
10. Nikki Coates MAP Raceways Yamaha 62Picture credit: Dave Couldwell
