Rounds two and three of the Focused Events KTM Super Duke Battle took place this bank holiday weekend alongside the British Superbike series at Donington Park. Strong winds and rain made conditions difficult but even so the crowds saw some close and very entertaining racing.
Making his debut in the Battle was Richard Cooper, riding for the SJB Racing team. He immediately made an impact at the top of the field, qualifying in an impressive second place just behind series leader David Wood on the Art of Racing machine. Completing the front row was Kelvin Reilly of Inmoto Corse and Ed Smith of the Gear4 team.
In typical bank holiday fashion, the weather took a turn for the worse and Sundays race took place on a rain soaked track. In a bizarre warm up lap incident, Kelvin Reilly crashed his bike on the exit of Goddard's. Managing to pick it up he rejoined the grid in third place ready for the start of the race, minus a foot peg!
As the lights went out it was Superbike magazines Jonathan Pearson who got off to the best start, jumping from fifth on the grid to take the lead on the first lap. He was soon overtaken by the experienced David Wood and Richard Cooper, who tussled for the lead over the next six laps. In unrelated incidents both Wood and Cooper fell on lap seven handing the lead over to Kelvin Reilly who was still riding without a foot peg, following the warm up lap incident.
With conditions worsening on track it was Kelvin Reilly’s solid performance that took the chequered flag for round two, followed by fastest lap holder Jonathan Pearson and Dave Heal.
The skies cleared for Mondays race as the grid re-formed in their original qualifying positions for round three. As the lights went out, it was Cooper who got off to the best start, taking the lead from Dave Wood on the first corner. The leading trio of Cooper, Wood and Reilly pulled away from the pack. With Cooper and Wood no more than a few hundredths of a second apart, the Donington crowd was wowed with some daring overtaking moves and very late braking.
Wood took the chequered flag followed by Cooper. Reilly completed the podium completing a great weekend for the Inmoto Corse team.
A special mention must go out to Ed Smith. After a freak warm-up lap incident during round one at Thruxton, which saw his bike destroyed, Smith worked tirelessly to rebuild it for Donington and put in a really strong performance with 5th and 6th place finishes.
To keep up to date with the action, watch the Highlights package on British Eurosport 2 at 8pm on Thursday 29th May or take a look at our Battle website at www.ktmsuperdukebattle.com
The Focused Events Super Duke Battle will follow a further 9 rounds of the BSB Championship:
Rounds: 4 &5 Snetterton 13th-15th June
Rounds: 6 & 7 Mallory Park 27th-29th June
Rounds: 8 & 9 Knockhill 8th-10th August
Rounds: 10 & 11 Cadwell Park 23rd-25th August
Round: 12 Brands Hatch 10th-12th October
It is still not too late to join in the fun. Interested riders must have a full Clubman license or above and can purchase a race bike from any authorised KTM dealer. The cost of the bike including race kit is £8,500.
The overall series winner gets the loan of a KTM 1190 RC8 for the 2009 Superstock season with support package. Second place in the series wins a 2009 KTM motocross or enduro model and third place wins a 2009 KTM Mini Bike.
For more information contact Race Co-ordinator, Richard Ellis on 01280 709500 or richard.ellis@ktm.co.uk
Results:
Race 2 – Sunday 25th May
1. Kelvin Reilly – Inmoto Corse
2. Jonathan Pearson – Team Superbike Magazine
3. Dave Heal – Littlewood Fencing / Heal Racing
4. James Edmeades – Redline Racing
5. Ed Smith – Gear4
Focused Events Rider of the Day:
Kelvin Reilly – Inmoto Corse
Race 3 – Monday 26th May
1. David Wood – Art of Racing
2. Richard Cooper – SJB Racing
3. Kelvin Reilly – Inmoto Corse
4. Dave Heal – Littlewood Fencing / Heal Racing
5. Jonathan Pearson – Team Superbike Magazine
Focused Events Rider of the Day:
David Wood – Art of Racing
Championship standings after round 3:
56pts Dave Wood
52pts Kelvin Reilly
45pts Dave Heal
41pts James Edmeades
41pts Jonathan Pearson
