The AP Kawasaki team wrapped up their 2012 Metzeler National Superstock Championship campaigns in fine style at Brands Hatch with some excellent results as all three riders finished inside the top ten.
Josh Wainwright continued his strong run of form in the Superstock 600 class with a superb third place whilst Superstock 1000 teamsters Patrick Medcalf and Peter Ward finished in seventh and tenth respectively.
Despite qualifying in 16th place, Thamesmead's Wainwright was hopeful of making the podium at his local circuit and a good start to the 14-lap race immediately saw him advance up the leaderboard. As early as lap five he was running strongly in the top ten and by half race distance, he'd moved up to sixth and onto the back of a group battling for the final podium position. The final few laps saw positions change all the time but a good final lap pass on Kyle Wilks saw Josh claim the third place with the result moving him up to a fine sixth place overall in the championship table.
Keen to end the year with a strong result, Medcalf made major strides forward with the ZX-10R Kawasaki in morning warm-up and so came into the 16-lap Superstock 1000 race in a confident frame of mind. By lap three the Australian was inside the top 15, and with the fourth fastest lap of the race he quickly climbed into the top ten. The appearance of the safety car on lap eight closed the pack up and when racing resumed on lap 13, Patrick moved higher still and at the chequered flag, he took an excellent seventh.
Having been on the sidelines for all of 2012, Hinckley's Ward was having his first ride of the season but it didn't show and, after qualifying in a solid 23rd place, a great start saw him soon running inside the top 20. By half race distance, he was up into the points and continued to move forward for the remainder of the race, eventually being rewarded with a superb tenth place.
Josh Wainwright: "It's fair to say I did not expect that result! Brands Hatch is my local circuit but it's also been my bogey circuit so although I felt my race pace was strong, I had it in the back of my mind that things haven't always gone well for me. My grid position didn't really reflect my true position and I think I showed this in the race as I steadily moved forward. Once I'd caught the group dicing for third, I rode very sensibly and just planned my moves in advance so to end the year with another podium is brilliant. It was one of the most enjoyable races I've ever been in so a huge thanks to the AP Kawasaki team for all their hard work during the season."
Patrick Medcalf: "It was a tough weekend up until race day as I'd been struggling with the set up of the bike but in morning warm-up, I found a bit more and got the bike closer to where I wanted it to be. The bike was the best it had been all weekend and I was really happy with how the race went. Colin, our suspension man, worked wonders and I was able to move forward throughout the race and to end the year with a fighting seventh is very pleasing. It's been a learning year, both on and off the track, and it would be nice to come back next year so a big thank you to AP Kawasaki for everything they've done for me this year."
Peter Ward: "To finish tenth in my very first race of the year is really pleasing. I havent been on a 1000cc machine for a long time either so I was on a steep learning curve but got quicker each time I went out on the bike. I felt physically fine but suffered from arm pump from lap seven onwards so it was tough out there whilst the brake adjuster also broke otherwise I think I could've run with Pat. It's a tough class and Alan and the whole AP Kawasaki team took a risk on putting me out there so I'm delighted to have rewarded them with a top ten finish. It was great fun being racing again and a thoroughly enjoyable race."
Alan Greig: "None of the riders particularly qualified well so they made it hard work for themselves but they all rode brilliantly and to end the year with one of our best ever days of racing is a really sweet feeling. Pat's struggled with his starts for most of the year but he nailed it in today's race and never stopped moving forward so I'm delighted for him that he got such a good finish. His race pace was almost as quick as the front runners so if he'd have qualified that little bit better, I'm sure he would have been fighting it out for the podium.
"I was glad to help Peter out this weekend and for saying he hasn't been on a bike for 11 months, his result was exceptional. He put in a great ride so it's been a terrific boost for his confidence and sets him up nicely for 2013. As for Josh, he fought exceptionally hard from start to finish and to get a second podium finish is a huge thrill for all of the team. It was a fairytale end to our season and it's just rewards for all the hard work and effort that's gone into the season. On behalf of AP Kawasaki, I'd like to thank the entire team for their commitment and also to all our sponsors that have enabled us to perform at this level so we'll all look forward now to 2013."
Metzeler National Superstock 1000cc Championship (16 laps)1 Keith Farmer (Kawasaki)2 PJ Jacobsen (Suzuki)3 Howie Mainwaring (BMW)4 Hudson Kennaugh (Kawasaki)5 Victor Cox (Kawasaki)6 Daniel Johnson (Kawasaki)7 Patrick Medcalf (AP Kawasaki)10 Peter Ward (AP Kawasaki)
Final Championship standings (after 13 rounds)1 Farmer 207pts2 O'Halloran 1573 Cox 1424 Storrar 1175 Costello 1146 Mainwaring 10515 Medcalf 50
Metzeler National Superstock 600cc Championship (14 laps)1 Lee Jackson (Kawasaki)2 Joe Collier (Triumph)3 Josh Wainwright (AP Kawasaki)4 Kyle Wilks (Kawasaki)5 Tim Hastings (Kawasaki)6 Bjorn Estment (Yamaha)
Final Championship standings (after 13 rounds)1 Jackson 199pts2 Burke 1743 Rose 1694 Dixon 1355 Olsen 1056 Wainwright 98
