The KTM 990 Super Duke Battle rolled into sun-kissed Cadwell Park for a Bank Holiday double-header. In great conditions, there was even more bar-to-bar racing and some impressive lap times by the leading riders.
Saturdays qualifying session saw Championship leader Pauli Pekkanen (Hualto-Kaksikko Racing) qualify in pole position, with Francis Williamson (SJ Racing) just three-tenths of a second behind. The front row was completed with Dave Wood (Art of Racing) and Scott Roper (Robinsons of Rochdale). With only 1 second separating the top 6 riders, the racing was certain to be closely fought.
Race 1 on Sunday afternoon was dominated by the ‘Flying Finn’ Pekkanen. After slipping to second at the start, he regained the lead on lap 2 and held it until the chequered flag. Francis Williamson kept the pressure on throughout the race, finishing a solid second place, less than 2 seconds behind. Pekkanen also set the fastest lap of the weekend with 1:38.626 on lap 7.
Race 2 was again dominated by Pekkanen who lead from the start lights. Williamson was again second some 3 seconds behind. However it was further down the field where most of the action was. On lap 5 Darren Fry (The KTM Centre) and Kelvin Reilly (Inmoto Corse) locked handlebars at the entry to the mountain section, which resulted in Reilly crashing out and Fry being later disqualified. This all but finished Fry’s chances of a winning the Championship with only two rounds remaining and 49 points behind Pekkanen.
Impressive rides were seen from Dave Wood (Art of Racing) who was third place in both races and Patrick McDougal (Contitech UK) who finished less than a quarter of a second from his first podium of the year in race 2.
ResultsRace 7 – Sunday August 26- Pauli Pekkanen
- Francis Williamson
- Dave Wood
- Kelvin Reilly
- Darren Fry
Race 8 – Monday August 27- Pauli Pekkanen
- Francis Williamson
- Dave Wood
- Patrick McDougall
- Adam Redding
Championship standings after round 8- Pauli Pekkanen 161 points
- Francis Williamson 116 points
- Darren Fry 112 points
- Kelvin Reilly 103 points
- Dave Wood 93 points
- Dave Heal 83 points
- Patrick McDougall 66 points
- Ed Smith 64 points
- Scott Roper 58 points
- Adam Redding 45 points
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