Dixon Takes Brands Hatch Podium As McConnell Impresses

2015-04-19 14:22
The Gloucester-based Smiths Racing Team enjoyed a strong weekend at Brands Hatch, with both Billy McConnell and Jake Dixon recording strong results in their respective 2015 MCE Insurance British Superbike and Motorpoint British Supersport Championships.

Fourth in qualifying for Saturday's 18-lap Sprint British Supersport race, Dixon made a good start aboard the factory-supported Smiths Triumph Daytona 675R and maintained his position at the completion of the opening lap. But just like in qualifying, the front trio of Kyle Ryde, Glenn Irwin and Luke Stapleford had that little bit extra pace and Jake found himself part of a four man battle for fourth which went all the way to the end of the race but it was the 19 year old from Dover who claimed the 13 hard-earned points in fourth.

Sixth on the grid for Sunday's 26-lap Feature race, Dixon was up to third at the end of the fifth lap but by half race distance he'd been overhauled before fighting back past Glenn Irwin to claim the final podium position. The weekend's results mean Jake now lies in joint second overall, 12 points behind Stapleford.

For team-mate McConnell, it was a tough weekend after a crash in free practice and then mechanical trouble in qualifying left the Aussie from Adelaide back in 30th place for the opening MCE British Superbike Championship race. What followed was quite simply superb as the 28 year old tore through the pack and after just five laps he was already inside the top 20. For the remainder of the race, he steadily moved forward and duly took a brilliant ninth place at the chequered flag.

That allowed the reigning British Supersport champion to start the second race from 11th on the grid and he'd soon moved up inside the top ten, although he wasn't able to make as many passes as he had done in the first race. Indeed, once he'd moved up to ninth on lap seven, he was unable to progress any further but two strong top ten finishes has given both McConnell and the team a lot of confidence going into the next round aboard the Smiths BMW.

Billy McConnell: "Everything was going really well up until qualifying which was a bit of a nightmare but it was just one of those things and I just got stuck in and kept chipping away in the races. It was hard going from so far back on the grid and with a lack of track time compared to everyone else, we're up against it a bit. Everything's brand new to us and we're having to try different things all the time but I'm really happy with the bike and we're consistently running in the top ten now. I surprised myself a bit in the first race to pass so many people and perhaps race two was a little bit disappointing but, overall, I'm happy and we can take a lot of positives away with us."

Jake Dixon: "Coming off a win and a second at Donington Park, it's been a bit of a struggle this weekend, firstly with the front end and then a lack of rear grip. The team did a great job with the front but I just didn't quite have the pace that the other boys did and it was a bit of a damage limitation weekend. I'm not overly happy with third but, at the same time after the way things have gone, I'm delighted to have ended the weekend with a podium. Hats off to Luke and Kyle, they've rode brilliantly all weekend but we've picked up a decent haul of points and the team have done a great job so we'll come out fighting at the next round."

Rebecca Smith, Team Manager: "It's been a weekend of ups and downs and after looking good in free practice, Billy's crash in qualifying cost us more than we thought. The brake problem in qualifying was one of those things but to come from 30th to ninth was amazing and just shows how well Billy is riding. It's done both his and the team's confidence a world of good and with three top ten finishes from the first four races, it's testament to everyone concerned. Jake struggled a bit with front end issues, which we hadn't anticipated, but fourth on Saturday was still a solid result and as I keep telling him, points make prizes. He rode another good race today, deservedly taking a podium, and we can look forward to the next round at Oulton Park in a good frame of mind."

Source: Cartersport Motorsport Media

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