|
POINTS ALL ROUND AT OULTON PARK
6 May 2013
|
|
|
|
|
Graeme Gowland #81
|
|
|
Oulton Park in Cheshire was bathed in glorious sunshine as Seton Tuning Yamaha’s Graeme Gowland and Mark Wilkinson battled for points in the third round of the MCE British Superbike Championship over the May Day Bank Holiday (4-6 May).
Leaving it until the dying seconds of qualification, Graeme ‘Gowla’ Gowland elevated his Seton Tuning Yamaha onto the outside of the front row ahead of the opening Motorpoint British Supersport race. Gowla’s lap time of 1:38.661s was just one tenth shy of the existing lap record and made it a Yamaha sandwich on the front row of the grid.
A strong start from the lights saw Gowla hold station for the opening lap as the ‘usual suspects’ occupied the leading positions at the sharp end. A move by McConnell on lap 2 forced the Northumbrian back a slot to fifth - a position that he would make his own over the following 11 laps to claim a further 11 points towards his championship total.
Gowla’s fastest lap of 1:38.809s was less than two-tenths from his qualifying time and would see the 27-year old occupy the front slot of row two for the main 16 lap Supersport race on Bank Holiday Monday.
Gowla set off carrying a great pace to keep abreast of the front runners over the opening laps. Seeley and Easton reignited their rivalry from the Sunday afternoon, edging clear of the chasing pack, with Seeley finally reversing the result from 24 hours previous to take his second win of the season and break Easton’s four race winning streak.
By mid-race, O’Halloran was the man on the move, determined to finally break into the top positions, forcing Gowla back to sixth on lap ten - a position he would hold until the chequered flag for another 10 points to solidify fifth in the title race. Gowla maintained his record of scoring double figures in every race this season and is now one of only four riders in the top ten to have posted on the board at every race.
|
|
|
|
|
Mark Wilkinson #56
|
|
|
Mark ‘Wilko’ Wilkinson was left with a mountain to climb as he qualified down in 21st, at the head of row six, for the Pirelli National Superstock 600 14-lapper.
Despite the odds being stacked against him, the young Australian blasted from the lights to round out the opening lap in 14th position. A monumental battle ensued as the race unfolded, with riders jostling for positions throughout every corner of the 2.69 mile undulating Cheshire circuit.
Wilko posted his fastest lap time of the weekend by almost a second (1:42.663s) on lap ten as he elevated his Seton Tuning Yamaha up two slots into 12th with the race heading into the final quarter.
Forced back to 14th on the following circulation, Wilko dug deep, mustering up all of his and the bike’s ability to once again pressure the riders ahead, forcing his Yamaha up one spot on successive laps to claim a fantastic 11th place finish from his 21st place start at the flag.
The team will take confidence from solid performances over the weekend as the series breaks for the NW200 and Isle of Man TT road races. Wilko will be back in action at the Donington Park round of World Superbikes, while Knockhill in Scotland will host round four of the 2013 Championship over the weekend of 14-16 June.
|
