Jon Kirkham claimed the first Henderson Yamaha R1 Cup Spring Cup title over a thrilling 14-lap race at Mallory Park (29th June).
Drama unfolded as the riders circulated round the 1.41 mile circuit on the first of two warm-up laps. A short sharp shower across part of the Leicestershire circuit saw the red flags deployed and proceedings briefly halted. A quick re-start was called as the rain past, with race distance reduced to 14 laps.
Championship leader, Jon Kirkham, had the unenviable task of just bringing home' the Jon Kirkham Racing Yamaha R1 in the points to secure the title. But with Warren having an outside chance on paper, and Ben Wilson determined to finish the first half of the season with his first win, the scene was set for some breath-taking action.
An aggressively determined Ben Wilson stole the holeshot, with Kirkham and Warren tucked in behind as the field made it safely through Charlies Chicane on the opening lap. Kirkham, his body language oozing confidence, took the lead at Charlies on lap three, but Wilson kept in tow to push the championship leader all the way to the flag. Warren, needing to claim at least second to stand a chance of taking home the title should Kirkham have problems, faced race-long pressure from Jack Kennedy in the hunt for 3rd.
With Gary Mason making a late charge on the battle for third, Warren clung on to the final podium spot ahead of Jack Kennedy, Nutt and Mason.
However, the champagne corks were popping for Jon Kirkham's pit crew as the Derby rider took the chequered flag, ahead of Ben Wilson, for his fourth win of the season, and with it the Spring Cup title.
The Henderson Yamaha R1 Cup now moves on to Oulton Park, where although the battle for main Championship continues the scores will be zeroed ahead of the Autumn Cup, bringing another well earned bonus for one of the riders. (19th-20th July).
Jon Kirkham: "I made a few little mistakes, I pulled a bit on Wilson but it was tit for tat out there till I eventually past him. I could hear him on me all the time though and it was hard to get away. I really enjoyed the race. Winning the Spring Cup is awsome but now I have that in the bag I can concentrate on the overall Championship now."
Ben Wilson: "I'm pleased but a little disappointed that I couldn't take Jon back for the win. I had a bit of a dash at him on the last lap at the hairpin as I knew that I was faster than him there. We are still playing catch up, and all in all I'm pretty pleased. The whole
Championship is my focus and I'll be looking to the second half of the season."Sam Warren: "That's a great result, to win the Spring Cup was always an outside chance at Jon's peril, which I wouldn't wish on him. I have always concentrated on learning step by step and making progress at each track. To bring it in third in the dry is probably my best ride yet if I'm honest. These are the conditions that are most alien to me from my Supermoto background."
Rob McElnea, Team Principal: "Brilliant! From the start of the year the first part of the Cup has been Jon's. I'm sure some the guys are going to start pushing him for the second half, but he's got this bagged now. He also won the MotoGP event and has walked away seven grand richer! I think he's looking over his shoulder now, Sam Warren is working out how to ride in the dry, and with Ben Wilson and Jack Kennedy, there will be a new crew for the next chapter and the Henderson Yamaha R1 Cup is delivering what we expected it to do."
Race Result:1. Kirkham
2. B.Wilson
3. Warren
4. J.Kennedy
5. Nutt
6. Mason
7. Etheridge
8. Coates
9. R.Kennedy
10. S. Wilson
Championship Standings:1. Kirkham - 119
2. Warren - 92
3. B. Wilson - 87
4. Mason - 69
5. Emmett - 64
Spring Cup Winner: Jon Kirkham - £5000 prize money
