Round 4 Race report - Race win for Clark & the Team

Round Four of the 125cc British Championship, supporting the British Superbike was held at Thruxton this weekend in glorious sunshine where Brian Clark on board the Xpress Racewear supported Banks Racing Honda celebrated his first race win of the year! Following on from last weeks third place at Donington Park, Clark now lies third in the Championship even after missing the first two rounds due to injury. But it wasn’t all smiles and laughter at Thruxton!

As the team arrived at Thruxton the 125 paddock was already alive with talk that they were going to be the benchmark for the weekend and Brian would be the man to beat. After Free practice nothing could have looked any further from the truth! Pete had several engine set-ups to try and coupled with Brian’s performances the team were off the pace down in 13th. The information gained had been beneficial and positives were drawn in ready for qualifying next morning.

The bike was much improved but it appeared Brian was still missing his edge and after Q1 the team provisionally lay 7th overall and on the second row of the grid. A few minor changes were made and as conditions stayed stable throughout the day the team looked for an improvement. It came but it wasn’t enough and after the second 30 minute session Brian finshed 11th overall and would start Sundays race from the third row of the grid.

‘Nothing has clicked for me today I’ve not been concentrating well and haven’t even come across anybody at the same kind of pace to help me focus. I also chose not to use any new rubber today as I wasn’t at my best and it would of been a waste, which doesn’t help but Pat at Dunlop Motorsport has been very supportive even if I’ve not earn’t him any money today and assures me that tomorrow I’ll be right there, so hopefully he’s right and I’m wrong!’ said a deflated Brian.

Race day came and after having time to analyse him failings from yesterday Brian rushed out for morning warm-up finishing second fastest and eclipsing his qualifying time by 0.25seconds still using the old rubber. Spurred on by this performance the team made some serious but suitable changes in preparation for the race.

As the lights went out it was Round Four on its way and after a strong start Brian finished the first lap in sixth position. With three laps gone it was Glossop, Hastings and Clark who had broke the tow of the group and pulling away. Fighting every lap positions changed at the front and although Brian was stronger around the fast flowing back section of the circuit he was unable to break from the KRP riders and they drew him back down the long straight every lap. Exciting at every turn this battle raged to the end and as the final lap started it was Glossop from Clark from Hastings. Nose to tail for the lap it all came down to the last chicane, Hastings was inside Clark  but not firmly enough to hold the line and Clark shut the door whilst trying to get as close to Glossop hoping to force an error and then it came! Glossop ran into the chicane too hot trying to avoid the overtaking and clipped the kerbs firing him out of the seat and out of control. Trying to avoid Glossop’s antics Clark ran as close to the exiting kerb as possible and drove the Xpress Racewear/Banks Racing machine hard and strong to the line ensuring Hastings had no option but second.

Elated & Overjoyed Clark had won in only his second ride of the year at a circuit where the statistics heavily outweighed such an outcome! ‘That was awesome, it was tooth and nail all the way and to still be there at the end is a huge credit to us. Pete & Stephen gave me the best machine they could and I just rode like I know I can and finally it seems like a little bit of luck came our way. I’m glad Martin (Glossop) didn’t hurt himself but I can’t hide how happy I am today. Chris at Xpress Racewear has been so supportive and hopefully this is the start of me repaying his belief in me, without him we’d not be on the grid. Also a big big thanks to all that have helped me to get here. As I’m not yet 100% fit nor are we to full strength as a team so there’s more to come from us, watch this space! From these results and the fantastic coverage on the Eurosport programs hopefully we can convert this into more support to try and bridge the gap to the KRP team and the others.’ Said a somewhat satisfied Brian.

Round Five is at Snetterton, Norfolk from 19th - 21st June. Why not get involved? Surely it’s more fun being with the underdogs? For more information, a brochure or even to pledge monies contact Chris Parry on cp@parrisprint.co.uk or 07770688559. Alternatively you can contact team owner Pete Banks at pete@banksracing125.com