Superstock Second Lifts Maxxis’ MSS Colchester Kawasaki Squad
Under: on
07 April 2010
A fantastic second place in Superstock was the highlight of an
otherwise frustrating weekend for the Maxxis
sponsored MSS Colchester Kawasaki team at Brands Hatch.
Howie Mainwaring battled from thirteenth on the grid to second
place only to be pushed back to sixth after missing a fallen rider.
He then went on to fight back to second again with some brave
overtaking moves for a well deserved runner-up position. In British
Superbikes, Simon Andrews and Gary Mason were beset by niggling
problems that ruined valuable set-up time, although Andrews
salvaged a valuable eighth in race two.
Both Andrews and Mason slipped off on Saturday with Gary's
accident damaging the engine, meaning a complete rebuild and
causing an intermittent problem that plagued the machine throughout
Sunday. Gary was then forced to sit out qualifying and had to start
the race in 36th and last place on the ninth row! A ray of hope
appeared as the new rules meant the possibility of a good race lap
time resulting in an improved grid position for the second
outing.
In race one Simon ran off the track at Paddock Hill bend which
caused numerous problems with grit in the chassis parts and he had
to limp around to just get a good qualifying lap for the second
race. Gary had a battling ride from last through to 13th which he
thoroughly enjoyed and put him on row five for race two.
Race two was a reversal of fortune as Gary's electrical issue
came back and frustratingly he was forced to pull out. Simon fought
through to eighth as he diced race- long with John Laverty.
MSS Colchester Kawasaki Team Owner, Nick Morgan said, "We
started this weekend so strongly and yet had so many difficulties,
it's quite hard to take. We've got to put this behind us and move
on to Thruxton which is a totally different type of circuit. Our
big highlight of the day has got to be the awesome ride that Howie
had in Superstock, he surprised and impressed a lot of people
today".
Howie added, "I'm so happy after that, it was great to repay
the team with the faith they have showed in me all winter. I had to
put in some big moves going into Druids and Paddock to fight back
the second time round and what a result we got. Thruxton is my
favourite track so I feel really good going into the next
round".
Simon Andrews said, "Eighth in race two is something; a lot
of people had bad luck today including Gary and I so you can't get
too down. The bike felt the best it has done all weekend in the
second race after we reverted to 2009 settings but I think we all
need to get to Thruxton and prove what we're made of".
Gary added, "What a rollercoaster of a weekend, top 6 in
free practice, crashing, having to miss qualifying, going from 39th
to 13th and then a DNF, definitely had a bit of everything but I'm
gutted to be honest. We didn't put all this effort in for three
points. We will come back stronger at Thruxton, I know
it".
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