Gearlink Kawasaki News

It was a great weekend for the team at Round nine of the the Dickies British Supersport Championship at Silverstone. Andrew Irwin gaining two second places and his team-mate Ben Currie was third in the first race and was leading the second race when wet conditions caught him out and he sadly crashed out.

Andrew was once again searching for that elusive first win in race one having qualified in third place. He got a good start and was soon into the lead and looking comfortable only for him to be pushed wide by the eventual winner just losing out on the win by 0.045s.

He started from second on the grid for race two which was declared a wet race. He got a good start and was once again locked in a battle for the lead but could not stay with them in the extemely wet conditions and dropped back to fourth. His team-mate crashed whilst in the lead shortly followed by another front runner whilst Andrew stayed on to bring home another fantastic second place. 

Ben once again continued his strong form throughout the weekend and was constantly at the sharp end on the time sheets during practice and qualifying. He started race one from fourth place on the grid; gained the hole-shot and was soon mixing it with two other riders,including his team-mate, for the lead. He finished in a great third place with just 0.131s separating the three riders in a fantastic race.

For race two he started from third place on the grid in what was declared a wet race after heavy rain just prior to the start. He got an incredible start extending his lead to a huge eight seconds in the treacherous conditions. Gradually those chasing him reeled him in although he still had a two second advantage with a lap and a half to go before being caught out by the wet conditions and crashed out.

James Westmoreland had a really strong weekend in the MCE British Superbike Championship. He scored points in all three races with 14th places in the first two races and a stuunning fourth place in a wet race three. The weather came in hard before the third race and it was really a race of the brave as to who finished. James rode an intelligent race and was able to stay on in horrendous conditions to bring it home.

Team Manager Michael de Bidaph -" It was certainly an up and down weekend for the Supersport riders. Ben and Andrew have been up at the top of the time sheets all weekend qualifying well for the first race.

It was so unfortunate for Andrew not to take his first win as he looked strong but just missed out. Ben also rode an incredible race and i am very pleased with his performance, he has made some big steps forward and really challenging for the win as well.

For race two both riders were on the front row and Ben made an unbelievable start in tricky conditions. He had a huge lead and looked really strong, sadly just being caught out in the wet conditions. We were so disappointed for him as he had worked so hard. Andrew rode a solid race and he knew he did not have the pace in the wet but stayed on to secure another great second.

With "Westy" we struggled with set up during practice and qualifying which were dry. He was fortunate to get some points in the second race as we did have a few set up issues. For the third race the conditions were appalling, he got a great start and made up several places on the first lap staying on to gain a great fourth place for the team. I am absolutely delighted, well done James!"