Cadwell podium gets season back on track
With the wrong tyres disappointment at Croft, some terrible weather and a little bit of bad luck, the mid-season has not gone as well as we might have expected for the Embassy Racing Moto team and our number one rider Glen Richards.
Leading the Championship from the very first round of the 2007 Superstock season, it was time for Glen to call a halt to our worryingly shrinking advantage, put the problems behind us and produce a good solid points scoring performance. Thankfully he did.
From free practice through to second qualifying, Glen was well in tune with his R1 and the fabulously undulating Cadwell circuit, posting consistently quick times. Although the (some would say suspiciously) vastly improved Buildbase Ducatis were leading the way, Glen was always looking good for a front row, while our nearest competitors in the Championship, Steve Brogan and Hudson Kennaugh were struggling to get in the top ten.
With summer finally reappearing, the bank holiday weekend weather also suited our South African rookie and AJ was making good progress on the 39 bike. Having only managed a single test day at Cadwell Park this year, AJ was still coming to terms with the technical difficulties presented by the flat out sweeping corners, steep drops and tight turns, not to mention the Mountain, and by going a full second quicker in Sunday’s qualifying he continued the good work and steady progress he began at Croft.
For Monday’s race, Glen would start from 4th behind the two Ducatis and the Yamaha of Jon Kirkham. AJ would start from a very encouraging 20th. Brogan had managed 8th and Kennaugh’s miserable weekend saw him down in 18th.
Throughout the weekend and certainly on Sunday evening, there had been a few hushed and tentative exchanges amongst the team about Championship strategy. Cadwell was clearly going to be a turning point in our season – the moment out and out race wins give way to staying ahead of the competition point scoring. Without dwelling on it, the official conversation was had and the phrase, “the bigger picture” became the weekend’s mantra.
So with the bigger picture in mind, Glen only went and got the “hole shot” from the lights and went into the first turn in first place. It quickly became clear that the Buildbase number 1 bike of Roberts had the edge on the Embassy Yamaha, and rather than risk defending too hard, Glen maintained his pace but was not fast enough to prevent Roberts from making the pass. With half of the race gone, the second Buildbase Ducati man Laverty put an ambitious move on Glen from too far back. Glen saw the danger and deliberately stood the Embassy R1 up to avoid any possibility of trouble.
Further back, Steve Brogan was circulating just off the pace in a comfortable 5th. He would pick up reasonable points. Kennaugh on the other hand continued to have problems. He managed to fall off on the grid form up lap and although he started the race, Kennaugh had pulled into the pits and out before the end.
The last third of the race saw Jon Kirkham close on Glen and begin to pressure him for his podium place. Showing incredible determination, experience and above all ability, Glen responded to the challenge and was too quick for Kirkham. Glen took the chequered flag in third place and secured vital points, increasing his lead over Brogan by five points to 38.
Starting the race from 20th, AJ made a small mistake at the start and finished the first lap in 22nd position. Settling down quickly, he recovered to 20th and then set about picking off those in front. Fourth fastest through the start finish speed trap, AJ was giving it all he could and his efforts paid off as he made his way steadily forwards. Putting in lap after lap in the 33s, consistency was key and AJ made his way to 17th on lap 10 eventually taking the chequered flag in 16th. Another ride of high quality and maturity, AJ continues to grow as a rider and is giving himself the perfect platform to launch a challenge on the Championship very soon.
Moto Results
Superstock Championship
Cadwell Park Round 10
1. Brendan Roberts Ducati – Buildbase
2. John Laverty Ducati - Buildbase
3. Glen Richards Yamaha – Embassy Racing
4. Jon Kirkham Yamaha – raceways
5. Steve Brogan Honda – Tengo Honda Racing
Positions after 8 rounds
1. Glen Richards Yamaha – Embassy Racing 154 points
2. Steve Brogan – Honda – Tengo Honda Racing 116 points
3. John Laverty – Ducati – Buildbase Ducati 96 points
4. Hudson Kennaugh Yamaha – Raceways Yamaha 94 points
5. Lee Jackson – Yamaha – Krystal Racing/Space Air 83 points
AJ Venter Yamaha – Topmac Embassy Racing 20 points
