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| 23.06.2009 |
| Race report from rounds 7 & 8 of the Focused Events KTM RC8 Supercup |
| The Focused Events KTM RC8 Super Cup made its way to Snetterton for rounds 7 & 8 of the single make series. With the Championship now over the half way point, the two races at Snetterton were likely to prove a key points scoring opportunity for riders. |
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Championship leader Kelvin Reilly (In Moto Corse) was in for a tough weekend, following an accident in training, he came to Snetterton with three broken bones in his right foot, but determined to put in a strong performance.
As the Snetterton circuit is made up of mainly right hand corners, it was the left hander at Russells that caught many riders out. With it being impossible to maintain tyre heat on the left of the tyre, the final corner was the scene of several low-speed spills.
Ed Smith (Redline Racing) who went to Snetterton holding third place in the championship, crashed during the first practice session dislocating his shoulder and ending his weekend early.
A number of incidents during qualifying resulted in a red flag. Credit must be given to both Sam Bishop and Jon Railton who only managed a few ‘flying’ laps but still qualified 5th and 6th place respectively. The front row went to Francis Williamson, 4th (SJ Racing), Dave Heal, 3rd (Littlewood Fencing), David Wood, 2nd (KTM UK) with Pauli Pekkanen (In Moto Corse) taking pole position.
After a frantic wheel change to wet tyres, riders made their way to the grid for Saturday’s race in damp, slippery conditions. After the lights went out, most entered the first bend cautiously. Sam Bishop (Kester Cunningham John) made a daring move and shot from 5th to 1st in just one corner.
Both David Wood and Dave Heal were swamped by the chasing pack and lost places to Francis Williamson and James Edmeades, whilst Sam Bishop continued to extend his lead and by lap 4 was over 8 seconds in front. As the race progressed heavy rainfall made conditions very difficult, the experienced Francis Williamson took advantage of the situation and reigned in Sam Bishop early lead. After a big moment on the final lap, Sam Bishop managed to hold on to a very well deserved lead by less than half a second, followed by Francis Williamson. Pauli Pekkanen and James Edmeades had battled hard for the final podium place all race. Edmeades eventually taking the position by half a second.
Track conditions improved on Sunday for race 2, and it was Sam Bishop again who made a fantastic start from 5th to take the lead on the first corner. This time however, both David Wood and Pauli Pekkanen stayed right on his back wheel, both managing to overtake by lap 5.
After a seventh place finish in race 1, Kelvin Reilly (In Moto Corse) needed a stronger finish in race 2 to add to his championship lead. With three broken bones in his foot, he put in a heroic performance to move from a 9th place qualifying position, and picked off riders lap after lap. By lap 6 he was running in 4th position and making ground on race 1 winner Sam Bishop. Having caught Bishop, the pair tussled for third for the remainder of the race. Eventually it was Kelvin Reilly who took third spot, with David Wood in second and Pauli Pekkanen first.
Although loosing points to the front runners, Kelvin Reilly still holds first place in the championship. His In Moto Corse team mate Pauli Pekkanen moves to second, closely followed by Francis Williamson.
Rounds 9 and 10 of the Focused Events KTM RC8 Super Cup will take place at Knockhill on 3-5 July 2009.
Results
Race 7 – Saturday 20 May
1st Sam Bishop - Kester Cunningham John / Sam Bishop Racing
2nd Francis Williamson – SJ Racing / Bracken Motorcycles
3rd James Edmeades – Redline KTM
4th Pauli Pekkanen – In Moto Corse
5th Jonathan Railton – Ducks X Racing
Race 8 – Sunday 21 May
1st Pauli Pekkanen – In Moto Corse
2nd David Wood – KTM UK
3rd Kevlin Reilly – In Moto Corse
4th Sam Bishop - Kester Cunningham John / Sam Bishop Racing
5th Jonathan Railton – Ducks X Racing
Championship Standings after Round 6
138pts Kelvin Reilly – In Moto Corse
115pts Pauli Pekkanen – In Moto Corse
112pts Francis Williamson – SJ Racing / Bracken Motorcycles
98pts David Wood – KTM UK
97pts James Edmeades - Redline KTM
Junior Championship standings after Round 6
178pts Sam Bishop – Kester Cunningham John / Sam Bishop Racing
166pts Jon Railton – Ducks X Racing
118pts Adam Foster – Fozzy Racing
83pts Taryn Skinner – CarCrac Racing
76pts Jon Paine – Jon Paine Racing |
|
 | | Sam Bishop leads race 1
|  | | Race 1 podium
|  | | Race 2 off to a close start
|  | | Kevlin Reilly battles for third
|  | | Race 2 podium |
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