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Tommy Hill looses his Championship lead as weather dictates early finish at Knockhill Heavy rain and high wind brought disruption to the sixth round of the British Superbike championship, so much so that it was only possible to complete one race.
Throughout the race Tommy Hill battled tyre issues, but still managed to bring his Worx Crescent Suzuki GSX-R1000 home in a creditable eighth place.
As race day went on conditions just got worse despite the best endeavour of the Knockhill circuit team who worked tirelessly to keep the racing on. Following a six-rider crash the second BSB Championship race was abandoned.
After topping two of the timing sheets during qualifying Tommy was ready to add to his Championship lead. He could not have foreseen the looming tyre problem that was to handicap him throughout the race. “Right from the start I became aware of a real big issue with the rear tyre which ripped to pieces over the 15 laps of the race and I was lucky to bring it home,” explained Tommy.
A consistently good performer in the rain throughout previous championship series Tommy was extremely disappointed with the setback. “With that result I've also lost my championship lead, although I'm only four points behind. I'm still leading the podium points tally, which are the only ones that count as the championship moves into the showdown phase from Croft (round 10). I'm keen to get to Snetterton and claw those points back and add further to those vital podium points. It's a good track for me as I scored Pirelli's first ever podium in the BSB back in 2006.”
The decision to abandon the meeting due to deteriorating conditions was the right call as far as Team Manager Jack Valentine was concerned. “Today has been a total washout. Tommy was more than happy with his wet set-up and we changed nothing for the race. The tyre never gripped from the off and was shredded by the end of the race, which had been shortened to 15 laps after two stoppages. The next round at Snetterton, now with three races on the programme, will become a very important round.”
Meanwhile, in the National Superstock 600 Championship race at Knockhill Jimmy Hill, also sponsored by Adaptaflex, finished in 7th spot riding his MAP Group Triumph. Despite the cloudy and wet conditions Jimmy's Triumph was the leading British bike to finish the race from a field of 36 starters.
Round 7 of the British Superbikes Championship is at Snetterton on July 16, 17 and 18, with an additional 22 lap race on the Saturday followed by two races on the Sunday. It will be a busy weekend for the Hill family as both Tommy and Jimmy will be looking to add to their respective championship rankings.
-Ends-
6 July 2010
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