Richard Kerr and the AMD Motorsport group’s problem for the Pirelli Nationwide Superstock Championship continued at tempo on the weekend with a brace of second place finishes at spherical seven at Thruxton, Hampshire.
The weekend began positively for the Kilmacrennan man and the Dumfries-based group with the second quickest time throughout Friday’s two observe periods, however qualifying on Saturday was hit by a heavy rain bathe, the primary moist climate of the weekend.
The tip consequence was tenth quickest on the Honda Fireblade however with second quickest Alex Olsen withdrawing attributable to a shoulder harm, Richard was capable of begin the primary race from ninth on the grid.
Held over 14 laps, a lightning begin noticed the County Donegal rider transfer as much as fifth on the opening lap and two laps later this had turn into third as he set about closing the hole to race chief Dan Linfoot and Billy McConnell. The trio have been quickly collectively and though Richard wasn’t fairly capable of make a move, Linfoot ran vast on the closing chicane and he dived by means of to take second, 0.412s beind race winner McConnell.
With the quickest lap of the race, he began Sunday’s encounter, this time held over 15 laps, from pole place and though he made getaway, he was fortunate to not be taken out on the first nook when Lewis Rollo bumped into his rear wheel.
Undeterred, he rapidly regrouped to fit into third on the opening lap and, identical to the day prior to this, it was a three-way battle for the win between the 23-year previous, Linfoot and McConnell. There was by no means greater than three-quarters of a second between them however the wily Linfoot timed his transfer to perfection to take the win from Richard and McConnell.
It was shut although with simply 0.354s masking the three riders on the chequered flag with the weekend’s outcomes seeing Richard stay in second general within the standings, simply 11 factors adrift of Linfoot.
Kerr mentioned afterwards “I’ve by no means had a podium right here earlier than so it’s good to put that to relaxation and though I used to be annoyed with ninth in qualifying, I felt assured I had the tempo for the 2 races. With ninth on the grid for Saturday’s race, I knew it was vital to get begin and I received as much as P5 straightaway, so I used to be quickly inside the highest three. It’s so laborious to move right here although and any transfer would have been dodgy, however I took full benefit of Dan operating vast on the closing chicane to take second.”
“I had one other good race on Sunday and there was nothing between the three of us as soon as extra however I simply misplaced somewhat little bit of drive out of Church on the ultimate lap which meant I wasn’t fairly shut sufficient to get in Dan’s slipstream. He’s rider with lots of expertise however we’ll get him subsequent time! Two second place finishes imply it’s been weekend although and with the hole simply 11 factors, it’s all to play for.”
Fraser Dykes, Group Proprietor: “It’s been an amazing weekend for us and Richard’s been fast from begin to end. Each he and crew chief Simon Bleasdale proceed to work nicely collectively so large credit score to them and with Thruxton not being one among Richard’s favorite tracks, to return away with a double podium may be very pleasing. The hole’s nonetheless very small and we’ve a few of our extra favoured tracks arising so we’ll preserve pushing and, as soon as once more, an enormous because of the entire group.”
Spherical eight of the collection takes place at Cadwell Park, Lincs on August 26-28.
Footage by Tim Keeton – Impression Photos Images
Pirelli Nationwide Superstock Championship standings (after seven rounds)
1 Dan Linfoot (Honda) 232pts
2 Richard Kerr (AMD Motorsport Honda) 221
3 Joe Talbot (Honda) 168
4 Alastair Seeley (BMW) 161
5 Billy McConnell (Honda) 135
6 Lewis Rollo (Aprilia) 130
Motorcycle Racing: Kerr’s championship problem continues with very good podium brace was final modified: August 14th, 2023 by
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