 Sam Lowes and GNS Racing's march towards the 2010 Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport Championship took another major stride forward today when the 19-year-old from Lincoln dominated the race at Cadwell Park.
Competing at his local round and in front of many of his loyal friends, sponsors, and family, Sam was in imperious form all weekend which culminated in him taking victory to restore his 35-point lead in the title table.
However, after brilliantly claiming his first pole position of the season in qualifying, Sam and the team's day got off to an inauspicious start when problems in the morning warm-up session limited him to just one lap but with the problem soon rectified he came into the race in confident mood.
In front of a bumper bank holiday crowd, Sam hit the front after passing fellow Lincolnshire rider Ben Wilson early on and gradually extended his lead as rivals Graeme Gowland and Billy McConnell crashed out.
With the race only at a quarter distance, Sam had a healthy 2.3-seconds lead and by lap 11, his lead was at 4.4 seconds and he was able to ease off in the closing stages, and with the race ending prematurely due to an accident on the penultimate lap, he comfortably took his third win of the season.
The win gives Sam a 35-point lead in the Championship table but with main rival James Westmoreland fighting his way through to second in the race, there's still plenty to play for in the final three rounds. With 75 points still available, Sam can't afford to ease up and will be focusing on more of the same next time out at Croft on 10th-12th September.
Sam Lowes: "I'm mega, mega happy to win at Cadwell Park, my local circuit. To get my first pole for the team and to turn that into a race win is fantastic. This track is where I grew up and first raced my bikes so it's very special to me. We had a problem this morning but all credit to the team, we got it sorted. Also I had a bit of arm pump in the race, but that's not an excuse but it is something I need to work on. We're leading the championship with three rounds to go so I just need to use my head, keep improving my consistency and my racing and keep onit!"
Gary Stubbington, team owner: "It's been quite a weekend as we've had a bit of everything. Sam slid off in practice on Friday, then he had a really good qualifying session yesterday and got pole position, then this morning we had a problem with the bike and we've ended up getting the win! I'm especially pleased for Sam with it being his home track. The team has worked hard as always and Sam has put the icing on the cake. We wouldn't be where we are without the effort and money put in by the sponsors and the help that has gone on behind the scenes, so it's a big thanks to them, this one's for you, you know who you are!"
Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport Championship result (14 laps)
1 Sam Lowes (GNS Racing Honda) 21m09.055s
2 James Westmoreland (Yamaha) +3.736s
3 Ben Wilson (Kawasaki) +3.916s
4 Jason OHalloran (Yamaha) +3.987s
5 Ian Hutchinson (Honda) +4.418s
6 Glen Richards (Honda) +4.606s
7 Jack Kennedy (Yamaha) +10.113s
8 Daniel Cooper (Triumph) +10.907s
9 Karl Harris (Triumph) +11.147s
10 Marty Nutt (Triumph) +12.590s
Championship standings (after 9 rounds)
1 Lowes (GNS Racing Honda) 171 points
2 Westmoreland 136
3 Gowland 103
4 Wilson 100
5 McConnell 99
6 Kennedy 76
Pictures attached courtesy of Ian Hopgood www.ianhopgoodphotography.co.uk
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