Gearlink Kawasaki News

Whilst the top spot had been decided in the Quattro British Supersport Championship the other podium spots were still very much up for grabs at the season finale at the Brands Hatch GP circuit.

Just 1 point separated James Westmoreland from his main rival, Brad Jones, coming into the weekend with 2 races to go and a maximum of 50 points to play for. 

Both our riders had been plagued with technical difficulties for this shortened season, however, both were determined to finish on a high with James coming into this race weekend having finished in the top 10 for every race.

Ben Currie was having a fantastic weekend, qualifying in 3rd place for race one. He got a great start and stayed with the front runners maintaining a podium position. He battled for the entire race with Brad Jones and Brad Perie taking the chequered flag in a well deserved 2nd place, his best result of the season.

James meanwhile was having a somewhat different race. He started from 6th on the grid just behind his team mate but 4 places in front of Brad Jones. This was the perfect opportunity for him to cement his 2nd position in the Championship. However, from the start he got sucked back into the chasing pack unable to get involved with the front runners. He was wrestling with the bike, giving it his all, however he was fighting a losing battle as the bike kept losing momentum and eventually was forced to retire with yet more engine trouble.

It was now clear that 2nd place in the championship for James had slipped away unless Brad Jones did not finish the second race.

The final day of the 2020 season came around  and with no spectators to fill the grandstands it was a strange atmosphere, none of which we had experienced before.

James could not do anymore other than to finish as high as he could as it was out of his hands. He was determined to do well but had his work cut out starting from 16th on the grid because of his DNF in race one.

He had a heroic race, moving through the field one by one making precision passes to get to the front of the mid pack finishing in a great 7th place.

Ben started race two from the front row giving him a strong advantage to try to repeat his first race performance. He got a fantastic start quickly moving to the front. He battled with Brad Jones and Brad Perie until the final lap where he fell back but still finished in a very creditable 4th place.

It has been a very disjointed year for everyone in motorsport but the organisers have done an incredible job in ensuring that the Championship could go ahead whilst keeping things safe yet as normal as possible.

The team have had a very successful year. Ben returning to the Championship progressed throughout the season completing 8 races in the top 10 and 4 DNF's. James having had only one DNF in the entire season managed to achieve an excellent and well deserved 3rd place in the Championship.

We would like to thank all our sponsors and fans who although not all being able to be with us trackside have still been with us with their messages of support.

We look forward to seeing you all in 2021. 

Another dramatic weekend in the Quattro British Supersport Championship for our boys, James Westmoreland and Ben Currie, at the Donington Park GP Circuit.

In atrocious conditions James rode a fantastic race to a achieve his first, and the team's, win of the 2020 season.

Both riders were determined to do well and in a dry first free practice Ben was third fastest and James just inside the top ten (9th in class).

The second practice session saw the weather deteriorate with some surface water on parts of the track but that did not deter Ben as he moved to top spot. James progressed to fifith place but slipped off after just four laps. Both were in solid positions for the qualifying session but unfortunately it was cancelled due to the terrible conditions. Grid positions for race one were determined from the combined free practice session times.

Race one saw Ben make a great start moving into second position from third on the grid but unfortunately the conditions caught him out when he tipped off in lap two.

James started from 10th on the grid and gradually moved through the pack having seen the conditions catch out a number of riders including the Championship leader, Rory Skinner. By half distance he was in second position behind Lee Johnstone. With four laps to go Westy "put the hammer down", caught and passed Johnstone and continued to push hard as he led the race. Johnstone with three laps to go closed the gap to half a second but crashed out on the final lap leaving an elated James to take a well deserved win and the fastest lap in appalling conditions.

The second race was held in dry conditions although the track was greasy in parts. James starting from pole position slipped back into the pack as the Yamahas quickly gained an advantage. He also saw his team mate pass him as Ben valiantly tried to go after the leading pack. James managed to re-group and repass Ben giving it his best shot to finish in a hard fought fourth place. Ben suffering a bit with the effect of the previous day's crash still managed to finish in a creditable sixth in class.

James said he felt "our day would come" and is now second in the Championship.

Both riders are looking forward to the next round at Brands Hatch for the season finale.