Solid Results for Andrews
The Lloyds British Jentin Racing secured some solid results
this weekend at Mallory Park, rider Simon Andrews gained two
strong seventh places finishes in the sixth round of the Bennetts
British Superbike Championship. At one stage in race two Andrews
was battling hard with the factory riders for a good podium
position.
The 25-year-old qualified in 13th position on the grid, it
was a dramatic qualifying session for Andrews as he was shown
the black and orange flag mid way through qualifying and the
youngster was forced to pull in, which lost him valuable track
time. On the small 1.4-mile circuit it is difficult to get
a clear track during qualifying and this set back lost Andrews
vital time. After checking the bike thoroughly no problem
was found and Andrews continued with his challenge for a good
grid position.
Starting on the fourth row was always going to be difficult
for him to carve his way through the field but two stunning
starts saw him fighting hard which eventually turned into
two very solid point scoring positions. Andrews gained two
places at the end of the opening lap in race one and was locked
in a fierce battle throughout the race with Billy McConnell
and Tristan Palmer, finally finishing in seventh place.
Race two proved very exciting for Andrews and the Jentin Racing
team, with rain showers prior to the second race, tyre choice
proved vital, running an intermediate front and rear Andrews
was pleased with his choice and ready to race. As the light
turned green for the 30-lap race Andrews got a flying start
and was up to 8th after the opening lap. By lap five Andrews
had passed Championship leader Shane Byrne and was sitting
in fourth place and looking eager for a podium, by lap nine
Andrews had moved into a comfortably second position and was
looking to gain a positive result at the end of the 30 laps.
Sadly for him the tyres began to wear and the factory bikes
took advantage, Andrews held a solid podium position up to
lap 18 and was unfortunate not to have finished higher in
the overall standings.
An extremely pleased Andrews said "We're definitely getting
there and I'm really pleased with the results that I got for
myself and also the team today. I have equalled my best result
to date and I know things are moving forward, it was a great
feeling running up at the front but I just had a feeling that
the factory boys would get the better of me in the closing
stages of the race. I hope we can carry this form through
the rest of the season and I'd like to thank the entire Jentin
Racing team for working so hard throughout the weekend. We
have a few weeks off now so hopefully things will continue
this way at Oulton Park."
Race One Result
Byrne Ducati
Haslam Honda
Crutchlow Honda
Sykes Suzuki
Ellison Honda
McConnell Kawasaki
Andrews Jentin Racing/Lloyds British Yamaha
Palmer Honda
Watanabe Suzuki
J Laverty Ducati
Race Two Result
Rutter Ducati
Byrne Ducati
Crutchlow Honda
Sykes Suzuki
Harris Yamaha
Haslam Honda
Andrews Jentin Racing/Lloyds British Yamaha
Camier Ducati
Palmer Honda
Smart Kawasaki
Andrews is now lying in 9th position in the overall Championship.
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