Podium for Westy at Oulton
Maxxis British Supersport – Round 4
Mixed weather conditions played havoc at the fourth round of the Maxxis British Supersport Championship for Centurion Racing this weekend at Oulton Park. The two riders Dan Cooper and James ‘Westy’ Westmoreland achieved 17th and 18th place respectively in the tough 16-lap race. With conditions changing throughout the Monday Bank Holiday tyre choice was always going to be critical.
The two rookie Supersport riders both worked considerably hard all weekend to learn the track and adjust to how a 600 works around the technical 2.69-mile circuit. It was the first time this season that 19-year-old Cooper beat his team-mate Westmoreland. The Yeovil based rider commented “I’m pretty pleased with the result this weekend as even though the end result didn’t show it, the race was very close and all weekend my pace wasn’t too far off the front runners. I’m still learning everything and I’m sure every track will throw something new at me to challenge me. It was great fun riding a 600 round Oulton, it felt so much different but I felt pretty comfortably throughout the weekend. I’m keen now to get to Snetterton in a couple of weeks time.”
Cooper who qualified in 22nd place but was moved to 21st after Irish rider Jack Kennedy missed the round though injury confidently, worked his way up through the field. After a bad start which saw him fall to 23rd place after the first lap the quiet young rider started working his way back through the pack and despite finishing just outside of the points he has taken a vast amount of knowledge and experience from the weekend.
Westy once again rode well throughout the weekend and was consistently running in the mid 1.41’s and low 1.42’s. He ended the two qualifying sessions in 11th place and even with a reasonable start a wrong tyre choice saw the youngster from East Yorkshire slip down the time sheets. He still maintained third position in the Cup Championship and still leads the Cup by 24-points from his nearest rival, Craig Fitzpatrick.
A disappointed Westy said “Unfortunately we had another disaster this weekend. Everything had once again gone well until race day. The tyre didn’t last race distance as the compound we choose was too soft. It went off after only five or six laps and unfortunately I wasn’t able to push myself higher up the field. I feel very good in myself and just disappointed at such a poor result. The Centurion team have worked so hard and deserved a lot more today. I am now motivated towards Snetterton as it is a circuit I feel we can be strong at.”
Team manager Gary Stubbington commented “Once again I think Dan and Westy have ridden brilliantly. They must remember that this is their first year in the tough Supersport class and they have made a huge step up from the 125 series. Oulton Park is certainly a very difficult track for the pair to learn in three days and I think they both coped incredibly well. They are both showing huge potential and I’m sure it won’t be long before we see them moving up the grid and battling with the front runners.”
The next Maxxis British Supersport it at Snetterton Circuit on the 20th May.
-END-
Carly Rathmell
Freelance Sports PR
For an urgent response contact me on carlyrathmell@yahoo.co.uk
07790 247836
www.carlyrathmell.com
