Gearlink Kawasaki News

Round two of the Dickies British Supersport Championship took place at the Brands Hatch Indy Circuit. Ben Currie secured a fantastic second and third place with his team-mate James Westmoreland coming home in 11th and seventh places

Ben was once again towards the top of the time sheets in every sesssion continuing his fine form from Donington Park. He qualified in second place for the first race and again it was he and Jack Kennedy swapping places for the lead in a thrilling race. Jack had the lead going into the final lap but Ben had incredible drive coming out of the final turn as they both fought to take the win with Ben just losing out on the line by just 0.006 sec.

For race two Ben started from pole position got the holeshot and was fighting strongly at the front when the race was red flagged due to rain. With an unknown track ahead for the re-start Ben was second after the first lap and was pushed back to third. Despite several challanges in the tricky conditions he had to settle for third place securing more valuable points in the Championship.

James "Westy" struggled through the practice and qualifying sessions but was just 0.8sec off pole position for the first race but ended up in 14th position on the grid. He got a good start finishing in 11th. 

For the second race he started from 13th position on the grid moving up several places. On the re-start he again made good progress through the field eventually finishing in seventh.

In the Bennetts British Superbike class Carl Phillips is still getting used to riding the Kawasaki ZX-10R Superbike but is continuing to improve his times with every session. He took two seconds off his practice times to qualify in 24th place for race one. Before the race he sufferred a big crash in warm-up but despite feeling very second hand managed to start the race and finish in 21st place.

He started race two in 23rd place and was sticking with the pack when rain started to fall and the race was red flagged. The team did a fantastic job in changing the bike to a complete wet set-up within the limited time available. On the re-start Carl got a strong start and was soon making incredible progress through the pack to finish in a fantastic 10th place.

Team Manager Michael de Bidaph - "Ben was once again at the sharp end during the Supersport sessions and Westy is continuing to adapt his riding style to suit the 600 again, making good progress throughout the weekend.

Both riders rode two very sensible races, it was great to have Ben on the podium in both races and continuing the strong form that he showed at Donington Park. Westy is improving all the time and i am very sure it will not be long before he is also fighting for podiums. The second race was tough in difficult conditions and they both bought the bikes back in one piece. It is a long season and points can be crucial towards the end of the year.

I'm really impressed with Carl this weekend, he is still learning to ride the Superbike and continues to improve with each session. The conditions played in our favour for the second race with the wet conditions but Carl really did an amazing job. I did not expect this early in the season that we would achieve a top ten finish so am pleased with the progress made and the result he gained. 

The first round of the Dickies British Supersport season was always going to be an emotional rollercoaster for the team following the sad passing of team-owner Norma de Bidaph with the team dedicating the season to her. In the opening race Ben Currie took a stunning win and backed that up in race two with his second win of the weekend. His team- mate James Westmoreland, despite limited track time on the bike, took solid points finishing fifth place in race one and sixth in race two.

Ben was consistently at the top of the time sheets throughout the practice sessions and qualified in second place on the grid for race one with James next to him in third.

Ben gained a fantastic start and led the pack for several laps before being passed mid-race. He rode a very confident race and was happy to sit in second place before making the pass that secured him the win by 0.2 sec. James was fourth after the opening lap and despite taking a bit of a gamble with tyres in tricky conditions worked hard to to secure a solid fifth place.

For race two Ben started from pole with James behind him in fourth place.The track conditions were drying but in the cold conditions Ben opted for full wets knowing he would need a good start in case the track dried out a lot. He got a fantastic start and was soon 5.5 seconds in the lead after lap one. He just continued to extend his lead, eventually taking his second win of the weekend by a massive 24.3 seconds. James had a strong start in fourth place but lost a couple of places to finish in a solid sixth place.

For Ben it was fitting that with the pre and post race tributes to Norma he was able to dedicate the first win of the season to her and then back that up with the double. 

Carl Phillips is new to the Bennets British Superbike Championship and the team have worked hard throughout the difficult weather conditions to help him push further forwards. He qualified for race one in 24th place and finished in 24th. For race two he started from 26th place on the grid working his way up to 20th place before retiring due to tyre choice. 

Team Manager - Michael de Bidaph - "This weekend has been ten times harder than i imagined it would be . Especially as it is the first time that i have been to a race meeting without my darling Norma. The decision to carry on was a hard one to make but i know that it is exactly what Norma would have wanted me to do and i know that she will always be with me.

All the riders have done an excellent job all weekend in terrible conditions. For Ben to secure the double race win is the perfect tribute to Norma. He has been consistent and fast in every session and when he crossed the line in race one i just broke down in tears full of mixed emotions, happiness and sadness.

I think Ben surprised everyone in the second race, even himself, no one could touch him and he was in a league of his own. I am so grateful to him for the two wins this weekend, they were very special.

Westy has not had much time on the bike and he is still adjusting to riding the 600 machine after his time on the Superbike. The conditions were far from ideal to get more laps in; he stayed in one piece and secured two solid results. I know, and he knows, there is more to come and I'm very sure the results he wants are not far away.

I am impressed with Carl and how well he has settled into the team and onto the Superbike. He has not had many rides on the bike and we used this weekend to collect as much data as possible to help him move forwards for the rest of the season. We knew it would be tough but we will keep chipping away at it.

Finally i must say a really huge thank you to the BSB Paddock for their support, kind words and encouragement this weekend. I must also thank Eurosport for their beautiful tribute to Norma, which is very special for me."