It was not the weekend Team Virgin Mobile Yamaha had hoped for at Silverstone this weekend (16-17 September). The team had high hopes for the weekend as Tommy Hill had really good pace on race tyres during the qualifying session and started from a fantastic fifth on the grid. Billy McConnell equalled his best ever qualifying position in twelfth.
After a disappointing start in the first race Hill struggled to stay up with the front runners and settled into the back of the second group. As the race progressed Tommy battled with Michael Rutter and Shakey Byrne for position with Hill finishing in a solid sixth.
Billy McConnell got a bad start and a few mistakes took him back into the lower pack where he stayed chasing down James Haydon. With four laps to go the young rookie Superbiker lost the front and crashed out uninjured, hoping for a better finish in the second race.
In race two Hill got a better start from the off and settled into the pace of the leading pack and was catching Jonny Rea quickly. Tommy passed Rea going into the chicane and during a coming-together, Hill came off worst and crashed out frustrated and uninjured.
Tommy Hill said: "I am so angry, I was really running up there and was confident I would get a good result. After the first race, the Team made some minor changes to the Bike which made a difference and I felt like I definitely had the pace of the front runners. It's so frustrating when things like this happen but I now need to forget about it and move on. Brands Hatch is my local track and I just hope to finish what has been a great season on a high."
Billy McConnell had a better second race from his twelfth on the grid start, chasing his fellow country-man Glen Richards, making sure he didn't make the same mistakes as in the first race. The quick learning 19 year old McConnell brought his Yamaha YZF-R1 home in a respectable 13th place.
Billy added: "I have got my two race jinx back, I was pleased with my result in the second race and learnt from what I did wrong in the first race. I just want to keep focussed, and get a good result at Brands Hatch to show everyone what I can do."
Rob McElnea: "It is one of those weekends you learn from and move on, we are looking forward to Brands Hatch where it is double points awarded for the two races, so there is still a lot to play for. Tommy has signed for the Team for next season and we are all thrilled."
Race One Results - Round 12 - Silverstone:1 Ryuichi Kiyonari 28:48.614
2 Gregorio Lavilla +11.416
3 Karl Harris +12.184
4 Jonathan Rea +13.990
5 Michael Rutter +18.184 secs
6 Tommy Hill Team Virgin Mobile Yamaha +28.185
7 Ben Wilson +30.342
8 Dean Thomas +31.885
9 Glen Richards +33.456
10 Peter Hickman +54.065
Race Two Results - Round 12 - Silverstone:1 Ryuichi Kiyonari 28 min 47.618
2 Gregorio Lavilla +5.202
3 Leon Haslam +8.027
4 Shane Byrne +9.945
5 Jonathan Rea +10.354
6 Karl Harris +15.541
7 Michael Rutter +18.240
8 Dean Thomas +30.051
9 James Haydon +30.393
10 Ben Wilson +30.661
11 Michael Laverty +35.511
12 Glen Richards +40.548
13 Billy Mcconnell Team Virgin Mobile Yamaha +42.224
Related Linkswww.virginmobileracing.com
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