A determined Steve Brogan shrugged off the effects of a heavy cold to take the win in the opening race of day at Oulton Park today (Bank Holiday Monday). Racing at his local circuit, the Liverpudlian held off an intense race-long challenge from Raceways Yamaha pilot Jon Kirkham, winning by 0.199 seconds and taking a maximum fifty points score from the first two races of the season.
Kirkham had placed his Raceways R1 on pole yesterday, after he and Brogan battled throughout the free practice and qualification sessions for the premier starting spot. Brogan also suffered a DQ from Q1, after setting fastest time (Failure to attend at Parc Ferme).
Ulsterman Marshall Neill fired his Suzuki from the outside of the front row to take the holes hot as the riders filed thro’ Old Hall Bend. Manxman Conor Cummins, on the Vanfit Yamaha, also made a fine start along with Kirkham and Brogan. Brogan wasted little time and was thro’ into second at Foulston’s Chicane. By lap three Kirkham and Brogan had began to break away with Kirkham setting fastest race lap (1m 40.046s) but Brogan quickly put his Fireblade back in front with a move on Kirkham at Old Hall, a lap later.
The race behind the leaders was just as frantic with Howie Mainwaring on his Suzuki briefly occupying third ahead of Ben Wilson, Neill, Seeley and Cummins. Local man Mainwaring faltered, allowing the others thro,’ as the two main race-long battles continued.
The gap between the leaders and the chasing pack steadily increased to eight seconds by the final lap. Kirkham had looked poised to mount a last minute challenge on Brogan but it was not to be – The HM Plant Honda rider proving just too strong on the day. Connor Cummins resisted the pressure from Seeley and Wilson to finish third from Seeley. Despite a strong late challenge, Ben Wilson would have to settle for eleven points and fifth, thumping the tank of his R1 as he crossed the line.
Steve Brogan
“I wanted to try and get away at the start and run my own race. I knew there was someone close behind but I wasn’t sure who or how many – I just got my head down and tried make myself as wide as possible! Jon Kirkham “What a great race! Steve was good everywhere, especially on the brakes. I did get past him early on but I couldn’t make it stick. Second place is still good though – it's early days!”
Conor Cummins
“I’m really made up - the tyres were fantastic! I just dug in and the consistency of the tyres helped me seal the third spot”
Metzeler National Superstock 1000 Championship:
1 – Brogan (Honda)
2 - Kirkham (Yamaha)
3 – Cummins (Yamaha)
4 - Seeley (Yamaha),
5 - Wilson (Yamaha)
Championship Points:
1. Brogan 50
2. Kirkham 40
3. Cummins 26
4. Neill 23
5. Seeley 22
Related Link:
www.metzelermoto.co.uk
