The Be Wiser Kawasaki team had the most unbelievable weekend and twist in the tables that could not even be scripted. Joe Collier racing in the Pirelli National Superstock 600 Championship took a fantastic race win and in doing so now leads the Championship by one single point heading into the final round at Brands Hatch in a couple of weeks-time. His team-mate Nick Anderson sadly crashed out in the opening lap, new rider Josh Wainwright finished in 19th in the Pirelli National Superstock 1000 Championship.
In the Pirelli National Superstock 600 class, the Be Wiser Kawasaki team only got Friday to find a set up and qualify for their race on Sunday after torrential rain on Saturday saw their second qualifying session cancelled. Joe managed to qualify in fourth place and Nick on the front row in third.
Nick got a good start and was away with the top three and looking strong but he ran wide, got on the throttle too soon and touched the wet AstroTurf which saw him crash out, uninjured. Joe Collier had a dramatic race and a bad start saw him fall to 10th place after the opening lap, he got his head down and when the pack grouped together on the deployment of the safety car Joe was able to take advantage of this. He was eighth when the car came back into the pit lane at the end of lap five and soon made quick progress through to a comfortable third position. In a huge twist, Championship leader Kyle Ryde and his team-mate Ross Twyman, who were running in first and second in the race both ran out of fuel on the last lap allowing Joe to take a fantastic win and the Championship lead.
Joe Collier - "I actually can't believe what has just happened and to go away from here leading the Championship is just mad, I'd never thought about the possibilities but I guess in racing anything can happen and it did. I got a bad start and knew I had to work hard, I thought a podium was out the question. The safety car came out with forced us all to bunch up but I was still mid pack after that, I worked hard and made some good passes on the first few laps. I saw Andy (Reid) had crashed and thought I might be able to get second in the Championship. I came round the corner on the last lap and saw Kyle (Ryde) pushing his bike, I went round the following corner to see his team-mate pushing too; I actually couldn't believe what I was seeing. I'm stunned to have taken the race win but also the Championship lead, it's just unreal. Thanks so much to all my personal sponsors and the entire Be Wiser Kawasaki team, onwards to Brands!"
Nick Anderson - "It was a tough weekend with having little track time, I was hoping to get out on Saturday as we'd made a few changes on the bike. It was my own fault I crashed, as was forced out wide in the early stages and touched the wet AstroTurf and it just spat me off. Obviously I'm disappointed as I could have possible moved up in the Championship also if I'd stayed on. I just have to go to Brands now and give it my best and finish the season on a high note."
In the Pirelli National Superstock 1000 Championship Josh Wainwright who has re-joined the team for the remaining two rounds of the series ended up finishing 19th in the 11-lap Supersport race.
Josh Wainwright - "It was difficult coming here with no track time on the bike and then we only had Friday to find a set up and qualify before the rain came on Saturday cancelling our session. I did the best I could and hopefully we can get out somewhere before Brands just to get some more laps under my belt."
Team Owner/Manager Alan Greig - "Well this has been a big change for us and we've finally had a bit of luck. Both riders have been so consistent all year, with 11 podiums between them, yet this is the first race win for the Be Wiser Kawasaki team this season.
If you are going to win this Championship you need to be consistent but you also need race wins and both riders have been riding so well all year to get to the top step of the podium and just missing out. It has been a fantastic day for Joe and we will go to Brands and ensure we look after Joe and provide him with the best possible opportunity we can, it will certainly be a nerve wracking race that's for sure.
Nick was unfortunate to crash out today, he's made so much progress this season and this is his first DNF of the season. He has really shown his maturity and his capability as a rider this year and has been a pleasure to work with. He is guaranteed at least fourth place in the Championship now and can still finish higher, he has improved at every round and we hope both Joe and Nick have a fantastic end to their season.
Josh Wainwright re-joined the team this weekend for the final two rounds but the lack of bike time and the wet weather on Saturday forced him to try and find a race set up in two sessions. We hope to get some time out on a track before Brands to help him find a set-up he is comfortable with."
2014 Sponsors
Be Wiser Insurance - Kais Ohlins - Kawasaki Motors UK - B&C Express - Renthal - Britool Expert - Dickies - Activ 8 - Anglia Interiors - Cups Direct - Eazi Grip - Foulger Transport - Garnell Nutrition - GR Race Graphics - GB Racing - HM Quickshifter - HM Racing - University of Lincoln - No Limits Track Days - PR Trackbike Hire - Samco - Sani Clad - Tanker & General - The Shires Inn - Venhill - Direct Distribition - SBS - Saville - Jarbtech
