Sofuoglu obliterates opposition on Donington debut
 Kenan
Sofuoglu led both legs of today's two-part World Supersport
Championship race from start to finish for a convincing victory
for HANNspree Ten Kate Honda. The impressive race win enables
the young Turkish rider to extend his championship advantage
from seven to 27 points over his nearest rival with a tally
of 70.
Sofuoglu got off to a strong start from third on the grid
for his first race at Donington Park's 4.02km track. He seized
an early lead on the opening lap and set the pace with a blistering
time of 1.34:577 - smashing James Whitham's existing Supersport
lap record of 1.37:565. Despite a clutch problem with the
CBR600RR and convincing challenges from Robbin Harms, the
HANNspree Ten Kate Honda rider maintained station until the
race was red flagged on lap 12 due to a multiple rider accident
at Redgate.
The 22-lap race was re-started with 11 laps left to run
and Sofuoglu - using his spare CBR600RR - once again stole
the early advantage. However, Harms remained determined and
passed the HANNspree Ten Kate Honda rider on lap 20. The series
leader fought back to regain his place at the front of the
pack one lap later and remained there until he passed the
chequered flag.
The race win was particularly significant due to the fact
that Sofuoglu's closest rivals were unable to complete the
race. Kevin Curtain, Broc Parkes and team-mate Sébastien
Charpentier failed to start the race due to injuries sustained
during practice sessions and Fabien Foret retired early from
the opening leg. Charpentier hopes to be back in action for
round four of the championship at Valencia.
Ronald ten Kate, Team Manager:
"Today Kenan had to do the honours for us with Sébastien
out of the race and he really delivered. In the first part
we could see he had some problems with his clutch so after
his fantastic start he began to gradually drop back. You could
say we were lucky that the red flag came out and we were able
to change the bike. Again, he got off to a demon start and
led the pack quite easily, but then he got a cramp in his
forearms which slowed him slightly. Once again he has proved
to be a great racer - he may not have been the quickest guy
out there in the last laps, but for sure he fought hard for
the lead and he maintains the championship lead. We don't
want to take anything for granted because as we have seen
this weekend, anything can happen. I hope that all three of
the riders that crashed out this weekend will be back with
us in Valencia for some more exciting Supersport racing."
Kenan Sofuoglu:
"I am really happy because I have been very lucky this
weekend. I was experiencing a clutch problem in the first
part of the race and I was thinking to myself I cannot finish
this race. I thought I would be joining the other championship
title contenders with a zero point finish. Then I saw the
red flag and I thought this is my chance. I was able to change
the bike and pick up where I had left off. I started pretty
well but then my forearms were really in pain and the last
few laps were difficult. I had a small advantage from the
first race so I managed to hold on and I got the win."
Race results:
1 K. Sofuoglu 34.56:601
2 R. Harms +0.764
3 K. Fujiwara +1.343
4 C. Jones +10.215
5 S. Sanna +12.135
6 D. Giugliano +12.982
7 Y. Tiberio +16.642
8 M. Roccoli +16.664
9 D. Checa +22.965
10 G. Nannelli +23.852
S. Charpentier DNS
LR Fujiwara 1.33.848
Championship standings:
1 K. Sofuoglu 70
2 K. Fujiwara 43
3 R. Harms 39
4 F. Foret 38
5 K. Curtain 25
6 P. Riba 22
7 C. Jones 19
8 M. Roccoli 17
9 B. Veneman 17
10 B. Parkes 16
13 S. Charpentier 13
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