Double podium for Simpson

John Simpson and Jimmy Dye both had a productive outing at Thruxton, at round four of the Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport Championship, and the Metzeler National Superstock 600 Championship respectively.

Simpson got his weekend off to a superb start by taking pole position in the Supersport Cup class aboard his T3 Racing Triumph. The first race got underway in dry conditions which Simpson was able to capitalise on. He got off to a good start and immediately started to gap the opposition. By the end of 12-lap sprint race Simpson was 9secs clear of his closest rival taking a well earned win.

Race two was a totally different affair thanks to the British weather turning for the worst. Simpson maintained his pole position by setting the fastest Supersport Cup lap during race one. When the lights went out he jumped straight into the lead but thanks to the wet weather he struggled to see. He was soon relegated to second place which made visibility even worse. He eventually had to settle for third place and valuable Championship points. Simpson is still holding second place in the Championship just two points behind Ben Padgett.

Simpson said: “The bike is handling a lot better. We had a test at Mallory Park during the week and that has really helped. I'm pleased to have taken the race one win, this is the happiest I've been with the bike this year. The second race for the first couple of laps I just couldn't see then David Paton came by and the spray got even worse. He started to get away and then I was able to see again. Jonny Buckley came past me out of the seat and again the spray just filled me in. I was faster than both of them as I kept catching up to them but every time I was close I just couldn't see. Knockhill will be better for me, I love it there.”

Dye also benefitted from the Mallory test and felt he had a much better set-up for this round. Unfortunately he went the wrong direction with his changes for second qualifying and ended up in 35th position on the grid.

Despite the wet weather and treacherous conditions he rode to an impressive 19th position scything his way through the pack.

Dye said: “I know I started from way back but it actually was a good race. The bike handled well and if I hadn't had a slippy seat and a steamed up visor I probably could have made even more progress. The test at Mallory really helped to get the set-up sorted out.”

T3 Racing Triumph will be back in action at round five at Knockhill in Scotland on the 17th-19th June.


Images courtesy of Bonnie Lane Web

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