GNS Racing endured a weekend of mixed fortunes at the second round of the Fuchs Silkolene British Supersport Championship held at a sun-kissed Thruxton circuit in Hampshire
Following a superb debut victory for the team at Brands Hatch over Easter, Lincoln rider Sam Lowes was hoping to continue his winning form and to extend his series lead at the Southampton-based team's local track and after qualifying his 600cc Honda in sixth place on the grid he ran with the leading bunch for the opening half of the race.
Looking set to challenge for the victory and after setting a second successive circuit lap record, Lowes unfortunately crashed out on lap 12 meaning he didn't add to his 25 points scored in the opening round and as a result dropped to fourth in the series.
It was much better news for teenager Paul Jordan who continued his great start to the season with a second podium in the Fuchs Silkolene British Supersport Cup. The young Ulsterman claimed a fine 13th place overall and with it second place in the Cup to hold third overall in the standings going into the next round at Oulton Park in Cheshire over the May Bank Holiday weekend.
Sam Lowes: "The team have done a mega job this weekend again and I'm gutted that we couldn't bring the bike home and get the result we feel we all deserved. My plan was to get the first five laps done cleanly and then press on and the plan went perfectly but just as I'd worked my way up to third, the bike began to overheat and the engine lost a bit of power. I re-grouped and kept plugging away and was still only half a second off the front three but I ran a little bit wide on a corner, onto the dusty part of the circuit and tucked the front and that was that. I felt really strong and was confident of another podium, at least, but it was an accident that could have happened to anyone. I'm disappointed now but I was riding well, I took another lap record and am still fourth in the Championship so everything's still looking positive. My two favourite tracks are coming up next so I'll be looking to repeat the Brands result at Oulton. Finally, a big thanks to the team and all my fans for another strong weekend and I'll be doing everything to turn it all into a top result next time out."
Paul Jordan: "The bike was working great for me this weekend and I'm getting used to the 600cc bike all the time so I'm well pleased with the result. I didn't get the greatest of starts but it was better than at Brands and although I had a couple of wee moments going into the first corner, I sorted them out as the race went on and just sat behind AJ ready to make my move on the last lap. It all went to plan perfectly and a big thank you to the team for all their support and effort this weekend, they played a huge part in getting me up there this weekend so roll on Oulton!"
Gary Stubbington: "I've got to feel sorry for Sam, he was riding really well and putting together a great race. He didn't get the best of starts but he bided his time and gradually reeled the front group in so he was well placed going in to the final third of the race. Sadly, a technical problem caused the bike to overheat and as he pushed that little bit harder to make up for the slight loss of power he lost the front but it could have happened to anyone so I'm sure he'll bounce back strongly for Oulton and be running back at the front again. As for Paul, in only his second Supersport race, we're delighted for him and to come second in the Cup competition and 13th overall second time out is a fantastic result. Finally, a big thanks to all the sponsors and to everyone in the team who've worked hard again all weekend to get two great bikes out on to the grid."
Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport 600cc race (18 laps)1 James Westmoreland (Yamaha) 23m23.215s2 Graeme Gowland (Honda) +0.355s3 Tom Grant (Yamaha) +0.369s4 Billy McConnell (Yamaha) +4.712s5 Jack Kennedy (Yamaha) +7.135s 6 Ian Hutchinson (Honda) +8.035s7 Ben Wilson (Kawasaki) +8.545s8 Chris Martin (Kawasaki) +10.830s9 Lee Johnston (Kawasaki) +17.988s10 Jason OHalloran (Triumph) +18.879s13 Paul Jordan (Honda) +26.283sDNF Sam Lowes - 12 laps
Championship Positions1 Westmoreland 45 points2 Gowland 313 McConnell 294 Lowes 255 Grant 236 OHalloran 1918 Jordan 3 (3rd in Cup 36 points)
