There was certainly a very mixed weekend for the Lloyds British backed Jentin Racing team and their rider Simon Andrews at the rescheduled Brands Hatch round. After the cancellation of the opening Bennetts British Superbike round back in April due to heavy snow the meeting was rescheduled for a shorter two day event this weekend, 10th and 11th May.
In scorching hot conditions Andrews gained a solid ninth place position in race one and was very unlucky to crash out of the second 20-lap race whilst battling for a top placing. Having qualified in seventh place at the opening round he was promoted to sixth on the grid after Karl Harris was missing due to injury.
He gained a brilliant start in race one and was third into the first corner and fourth after the opening lap. Michael Laverty crashed out in front of Andrews at Druids seeing him step back up to third position and fighting with the factory riders. He was hounded on lap three by the factory Ducati's of Leon Camier and Shakey Byrne and dropped back to fifth place. Holding the position for a number of laps he was beginning to struggle with tyre grip and dropped back to ninth, which he held to the chequered flag. The second race saw Andrews in a good position in the opening laps but he lost the front end on the exit to Druids corner on lap 13, an unfortunate end once again for the youngster.
The 25-year-old from Evesham said;"I'm gutted again as I've not managed to finish both races yet in the three rounds that we've had. I know the team have been working really hard and I know we will eventually get to where we want to be but I keep having DNF's and it's not helping my Championship position. We had a few small problems with the bike this weekend and with the shorter sessions it made it difficult to get it 100% for the races. I know things will improve and I still feel confident that we can get good results and that we are moving in the right direction. I want to be out there and I want to be a serious contender, fingers crossed for us for Donington in a couple of weeks time."
Team Manager Bernie Toleman commented;"Overall it has clearly been a disappointing weekend but there is no doubt in my mind that everything is in place to recover from this. Every race we have finished has been inside the top ten and there is a long season still ahead. We are working extremely hard on some development work that should be in place for Donington in two weeks time where our sole aim is for a strong result in both races.''
Photo credit to moto-photo.co.uk
Words by Carly Rathmell
Related Links:www.jentinracing.comwww.si-andrews.co.uk
