Lincoln-based AP Kawasaki team endured mixed fortunes at their local round of Cadwell Park today with a strong result by Josh Wainwright in the Metzeler National Superstock 600 Championship race offset by a lowly finish by Patrick Medcalf in the 1000 category.
A fifth place qualifying position gave Wainwright an excellent chance of taking a podium position and although he slipped back on the opening lap, the Thamesmead rider regrouped and was in contention for third place when the race was stopped prematurely on lap ten meaning he was classified in fifth place.
It was a tough weekend for the Superstock 1000 competitors with heavy rain affecting both of their qualifying sessions and, as a result, it left Medcalf way back in 29th on the grid for the 14-lap race. A strong performance was hoped for but more rain fell just before the race got underway and, also struggling with flu, it was a long race for the Australian. However, he battled all the way to the end to move up to 20th at the chequered flag.
Josh Wainwright: "I'm more than happy with the result today and the whole weekend's been a real confidence booster for me. The team have worked really hard and with a few changes to the bike I've been able to move forward so a big thanks to them as it's enabled me to be closer to where I want to be. I was losing a bit of time at the beginning of the lap but was really strong through the woodland section so it's a shame the red flag brought the race to an early end as we were fighting it out for the podium. These things happen though and it's still a good result so we can head to Donington now in a strong frame of mind."
Patrick Medcalf: "It's been a tough weekend for me and I've been battling with both the flu and the weather conditions throughout. I really suffered in qualifying as the rain came at the wrong time for me and I was really lucky to be on the grid at all. I was right at the back of the grid which was always going to be hard work and with a poor start, I certainly didn't help myself. I gave it my all and moved up to 20th but we'll just have to put the weekend behind us and move on. I enjoy Donington so we'll look to get back in amongst the top ten finishers there."
Alan Greig: "It's certainly been a mixed weekend for the team with one side of the garage getting a great result and the other side suffering. Josh had a strong weekend and although a mistake in the race dropped him back, he fought back well and was one of the fastest riders on the track in the second half of the race. A podium place looked a distinct possibility in the final two laps of the race but with the red flag coming out we didn't get those two laps whilst we also lost Freddie Russo's lap record from last year! For Patrick, it was a bad weekend although given his physical condition; it's a miracle he was able to ride at all as he was really suffering with a lack of energy. In Q2, we decided to hold him back for the last few minutes but with the rain falling, we had to send him out so we only just scraped onto the grid. It was always going to be difficult being that far back on the grid so to get up to 20th was no mean feat and although he didn't score any points, the team are pleased with Patrick's efforts once again. It's onto Donington now and with a test planned for the two riders, we're hopeful of getting two good finishes there and some good points in both races."
Metzeler National Superstock 1000cc Championship (14 laps)1 Keith Farmer (Kawasaki)2 Joe Burns (Kawasaki)3 Jason O'Halloran (Honda)4 Adam Jenkinson (Honda)5 Lee Costello (Kawasaki)6 Howie Mainwaring (BMW)20 Patrick Medcalf (AP Kawasaki)
Championship standings (after 10 rounds)1 Farmer 156pts2 O'Halloran 1463 Cox 1054 Storrar 1055 Brogan 916 Johnson 9013 Medcalf 40
Metzeler National Superstock 600cc Championship (10 laps)1 Lee Jackson (Kawasaki)2 Joe Collier (Triumph)3 James Rose (Yamaha)4 Ben Grindrod (Kawasaki)5 Josh Wainwright (AP Kawasaki)6 Alex Olsen (Triumph)
Championship standings (after 10 rounds)1 Burke 1542 Rose 1463 Jackson 1294 Dixon 1105 Lodge 826 Whitaker 7910 Wainwright 56
