Both Chris Martin and Steven Neate overcame the problematic weather conditions which affected qualifying to claim a fantastic set of results for Gearlink Kawasaki in their debut race at Thruxton where Chris secured a podium position of third and Steven 10th in the opening round of the Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport championship on Sunday.
Starting from a fourth row grid position Martin was quick to move forward and soon made inroads towards the leading group. By lap six he was up to third place behind Glen Richards but his progress was thwarted with the arrival on circuit of the course car, brought out to slow the race and allow for the removal of debris following a crash.
Once the car left the circuit Martin continued his challenge and quickly broke away from the pursuing pack to chase the two leaders. He was soon on terms with both Richards and Brogan but although he showed them his front wheel he was unable to make a passing manoeuvre and crossed the finish line in third place, less than half a second behind Richards.
Meanwhile, further down the field Steven Neate was having a huge battle with Lincolnshire rider Rob Frost in which Neate ran out the eventual winner. He started from 17th on the grid and made steady progress through the midfielders to settle into 13th place mid-race. By this time he had got on terms with Rob Frost and the pair continued to exchange positions throughout the remainder of the race with neither rider prepared to give an inch, until Frost finally ran wide at the chicane giving Neate a slight advantage into the final corner. They were neck and neck as they approached the chequered flag but Neate held firm and crossed the finish line a tenth of a second ahead to claim 10th place for Gearlink Kawasaki.
Michael de Bidaph - Team Owner/Manager
What more could I have asked for today. This is more than I had hoped for, especially after yesterday’s difficult qualifying. But as I said to both riders, we still have a race to run and you don’t win a race in qualifying so just put it behind you.
To come here in the first race of the season and get Chris on the podium and Steven in the top 10 is absolutely awesome for us and also for Kawasaki Motors UK.
People have doubted us in the past but we aim to prove them wrong. The guys have all worked so hard all over the weekend. They have been up until past midnight the last few nights and this result is for them as well.
We have come a very long way in a short space of time but we must not become complacent as we have to try to do it all again at Oulton Park. We would like to dedicate our first podium to Guy Sanders, I am sure he would be so pleased for us.
Chris Martin It’s been a good race for me, especially after qualifying. I didn’t get such a good start and went backwards for a while but then settled down and picked my way through to third. I did hold second place briefly towards the end but just didn’t have sufficient speed down the back straight to maintain it. All the team have done a good job and I would like to thank them for all their hard work.
Steven Neate
I am pretty satisfied with a top 10 finish first time out. We should perhaps have been quicker in qualifying and that maybe affected my result. But I was up there with the front-runners and was competitive. It was fantastic that Chris was able to get onto the box so it’s been a good weekend all round for us. It got a bit hairy at times but I enjoyed battling with Rob Frost and ended up beating him.
Alex Brawn Racing Co-ordinator Kawasaki Motors UK
Having witnessed all the hard work that Michael de Bidaph, the riders and the team have put towards this season's championship, I think it is only fitting that they mounted the podium in the first race of the year. Coming from 16th on the grid to a podium position, Gearlink Kawasaki have firmly stamped their authority on the championship and will be a force to be reckoned with in the season ahead
The next round is at Oulton Park on May 6 when everyone at Gearlink Kawasaki will be doing their best to produce a similar result.
Picture Credit:
Action - Turn One Photography
Podium - Helen Pask
