The AP Kawasaki team enjoyed a strong weekend of racing at Oulton Park with Freddie Russo giving the team their first podium finish of the year when he took second place in round two of the Metzeler National 600cc Superstock Championship today.
Adding to the success, Leon Hunt also gave the team their first points of the season in the 1000cc category although fellow team member Anthony Haywood was forced to retire due to damage on the bike caused when another rider collided with him.
Brentwood's Russo was on the pace throughout practice and qualifying and, after placing tenth on the grid, was feeling confident of a good race finish. A brilliant start saw him complete the first lap in an excellent fourth and although he was pushed back to fifth a lap later, he was already almost four seconds clear of sixth. When the safety car came out on lap six it allowed the pack to bunch right up and when race leaders Glenn Irwin and James East crashed out on lap eight, he found himself briefly in the lead.
There was nothing between the top three and the positions between Russo, Keith Farmer and Johnny Blackshaw changed with frequent regularity and when Freddie overtook Blackshaw on the penultimate lap he was able to secure second position, taking 20 points to move up to joint third in the championship table.
The two riders in the Superstock 1000cc category endured mixed fortunes but for Hunt, a strong qualifying pace where he placed 13th, gave him great optimism for the 15-lap race. A solid start saw him consolidate his position but at half race distance he dropped back to 17th due to suffering arm pump. The Brighton rider dug deep though and was rewarded for his efforts with 15th place, and a championship point at the chequered flag.
Haywood meanwhile had qualified in 26th place but any hopes of improving upon that disappeared on the opening lap when another rider collided with him, which dropped him all the way back to 40th and last. Despite riding with damaged handlebars, the Chesterfield rider was up to 28th just five laps later but the damage was proving too hard to race with and he reluctantly pulled in and retired.
For more results and information about the AP Kawasaki Superstock, visit the new website where you can You can meet the team, track results and check out the latest photos for the 2011 season.
Adding to the success, Leon Hunt also gave the team their first points of the season in the 1000cc category although fellow team member Anthony Haywood was forced to retire due to damage on the bike caused when another rider collided with him.
Brentwood's Russo was on the pace throughout practice and qualifying and, after placing tenth on the grid, was feeling confident of a good race finish. A brilliant start saw him complete the first lap in an excellent fourth and although he was pushed back to fifth a lap later, he was already almost four seconds clear of sixth. When the safety car came out on lap six it allowed the pack to bunch right up and when race leaders Glenn Irwin and James East crashed out on lap eight, he found himself briefly in the lead.
There was nothing between the top three and the positions between Russo, Keith Farmer and Johnny Blackshaw changed with frequent regularity and when Freddie overtook Blackshaw on the penultimate lap he was able to secure second position, taking 20 points to move up to joint third in the championship table.
The two riders in the Superstock 1000cc category endured mixed fortunes but for Hunt, a strong qualifying pace where he placed 13th, gave him great optimism for the 15-lap race. A solid start saw him consolidate his position but at half race distance he dropped back to 17th due to suffering arm pump. The Brighton rider dug deep though and was rewarded for his efforts with 15th place, and a championship point at the chequered flag.
Haywood meanwhile had qualified in 26th place but any hopes of improving upon that disappeared on the opening lap when another rider collided with him, which dropped him all the way back to 40th and last. Despite riding with damaged handlebars, the Chesterfield rider was up to 28th just five laps later but the damage was proving too hard to race with and he reluctantly pulled in and retired.
For more results and information about the AP Kawasaki Superstock, visit the new website where you can You can meet the team, track results and check out the latest photos for the 2011 season.
Article Source: ArticleCell.com
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