Simon Andrews of the Lloyds British backed Jentin racing team rode two incredible races at Donington Park and scored his first double finish of the 2008 season. After a heavy crash during qualifying the 25-year-old knew he would have to face the pain barrier after being left in 24th position on the grid. The youngster then followed up with a fantastic 10th and ninth place respectively in the two 20-lap Bennetts British Superbike races.
Andrews who for a variety of reasons has not been able to show his true form this season, certainly managed it in style at Donington, a circuit which he has never ridden before on a Superbike machine. In the horrendous wet weather conditions on qualifying day at the 2.5-mile circuit, Andrews crashed heavily at Starkey's Bridge damaging his shoulder and thumb. Badly battered and bruised he fought on and secured the Jentin team some very creditable results and he also gained the Airwaves Kick Up A Gear award for the rider gaining the most places in both races.
With a huge amount of work to do Andrews was eager for this new challenge and he knew that he would have to dig deep to gain two good results for the team. Starting virtually at the back of the grid he got two fantastic starts in both races and was soon carving his way through the tough Superbike field. By the end of lap one he had worked his way through to 15th position and into a points scoring place. Not satisfied with just a points position Andrews worked exceptionally hard and pushed through to tenth place.
The second race was just as tough and Andrews was certainly on a mission to beat his position from race one, starting once again from the back, a fantastic start saw him gain six places by the end of lap one. By lap five the youngster was up to 14th place behind the two factory Kawasaki's of Stuart Easton and Billy McConnell. On the final lap he had matched his position in race one but was hunting Gary Mason down and a strong pass saw Andrews secure ninth place and complete two incredible rides from the Evesham based rider.
Commenting he said;
"I hurt myself pretty badly in the crash on Sunday and I wasn't sure if I would be able to race or not. Thankfully I went to see the physio's at the medical centre and they strapped me up and worked on my shoulder, they did a great job and I'd like to thank them for that. We decided to race on the Monday and I'm really pleased we did, I had to dig deep but I was really determined to get two good finishes. With starting at the back I didn't really have any expectations as I had no idea what would happen so I just worked hard and wasn't thinking about the result. It's a great confidence lift for myself and the team and I'd like to thank them all for working so hard and I'm really looking forward to Snetterton now."
Race One Result: 1. Byrne - Ducati
2. Haslam - Honda
3. Sykes - Suzuki
4. Ellison - Honda
5. Camier - Ducati
6. Crutchlow - Honda
7. Harris - Yamaha
8. Rutter - Ducati
9. Laverty - Suzuki
10. Andrews - Jentin Racing/Lloyds British Yamaha
Race Two Result
1. Byrne - Ducati
2. Haslam - Honda
3. Crutchlow - Honda
4. Camier - Ducati
5. Ellison - Honda
6. Sykes - Suzuki
7. Harris - Yamaha
8. Rutter - Ducati
9. Andrews - Jentin Racing/Lloyds British Yamaha10. Mason - Honda
Andrews is now lying in 10th position in the overall Championship.
2008 Races Round 5: 13th - 15th June - Snetterton, Norfolk
Round 6: 27th - 29th June - Mallory Park
Round 7: 18th - 20th July - Oulton Park, Cheshire
Round 8: 8th - 10th August - Knockhill, Fife
Round 9: 23rd - 25th August - Cadwell Park, Lincs
Round 10: 12th - 14th September - Croft, North Yorkshire
Round 11: 26th - 28th September, Silverstone, Northants
Round 12: 10th - 12th October - Brands Hatch Indy, Kent
Words by Cary RathmellRelated Links:www.jentinracing.comwww.si-andrews.co.uk
