Medcalf Scrapes Into Points For AP Kawasaki

2012-07-09 00:51
Oulton Park, Cheshire was the venue for the AP Kawasaki team this weekend with Patrick Medcalf and Josh Wainwright contesting round eight of the Metzeler National Superstock 1000cc and 600cc Championship races.


It proved to be a disappointing weekend though with just Medcalf scoring a point in the Superstock 1000cc race as the Australian rider endured a tough race but his efforts were rewarded with 15th and another championship point. Having qualified in 15th, Patrick was hopeful of getting in amongst the top ten but a sluggish start saw him slip back to 18th, not helped by being hit by another rider. He managed to work his way up to 16th when the safety car came out on lap seven and although racing resumed two laps later, it was soon stopped again after another spill. The result was taken at nine laps and so Patrick added another point to his championship total to move up to 12th overall in the table.


Wainwright, riding at one of his favourite circuits, was hopeful of a top six finish at least and a second row starting position gave him every chance. The Thamesmead rider dropped back to tenth on the opening lap but slowly began to ease his way forward and by half race distance, he was up to eighth. With the second fastest lap of the race, the top six looked a distinct reality but his race ended with three laps to go when he was forced out with a rear wheel puncture.


Patrick Medcalf: "Qualifying went fairly well for me and I made a good start but the work was undone when another rider hit me and I lost a load of places. I managed to claw a few back but I got stuck behind a few riders who I probably shouldn't have and it upset my rhythm a bit. My corner speed was affected and I lost my momentum but I kept battling and the red flag came at the wrong time as I'd just moved past a couple of riders. It's another point but I know I'm capable of more so we'll head to Brands Hatch, a circuit I know and enjoy, and look for a lot better there."

Josh Wainwright: "It's been a disappointing end to the weekend and after crashing out of the lead here in May, I was keen to make amends and at least make the top six. I didn't get the greatest of starts but moved forward a bit and was hopeful of doing more of the same right until the very end but it wasn't to be. A puncture just shows the kind of luck I'm having at the moment so all I can do is put it behind me and look forward to the next round."

Alan Greig, Team Manager: "Josh qualified well and the second row was a good position for him although the beginning of the race was hindered slightly when he got tangled up with two more riders. He was looking for a top six finish and still had high hopes of doing that as the race wore on. He was one of the fastest riders on the circuit so to be forced out with a puncture is a tough one to swallow. He had the pace to get a good result so it's definitely a case of what might have been.


"Patrick put in a good, solid ride and although good fortune hasn't been on our side recently, it was today as two riders crashed out behind him, just split seconds after he'd overtaken them. If he hadn't have done that, he would have been down too. He got himself into the points and was confident of moving higher up the order in the final third of the race but the red flag put paid to that so he had to settle for a solitary point. Brands Hatch is a good track for all of us so we'll be looking to score heavily there. Finally, I'd just like to say congratulations to Lee Jackson on his win in the 600cc race as it was exemplary. We've all worked with him and his family in the past so it's success they thoroughly deserve."


Metzeler National Superstock 1000cc Championship (9 laps)
1 David Johnson (BMW)
2 Victor Cox (Kawasaki)
3 Keith Farmer (Kawasaki)
4 Jason O'Halloran (Honda)
5 Howie Mainwaring (BMW)
6 Steve Brogan (BMW)
15 Patrick Medcalf (AP Kawasaki)


Championship standings (after 8 rounds)
1 Farmer 111pts
2 O'Halloran 105
3 Storrar 98
4 Brogan 90
5 Johnson 90
6 Cox 89
12 Medcalf 33


Metzeler National Superstock 600cc Championship (12 laps)
1 Lee Jackson (Kawasaki)
2 James Lodge (Yamaha)
3 Ben Burke (Yamaha)
4 Jake Dixon (Yamaha)
5 Tom Fisher (Kawasaki)
6 James Rose (Yamaha)
DNF Josh Wainwright (AP Kawasaki)


Championship standings (after 8 rounds)
1 Burke 132pts
2 Rose 114
3 Jackson 94
4 Dixon 85
5 Whitaker 72
6 Fisher 69
11 Wainwright 38

Source: Cartersport Motorsport Media

Click here to visit our forums to discuss this story