Mallory Park – Round 9
Despite weather conditions much more suited to Sykes Pumps throughout the weekend at Mallory Park the Hawk Colchester Kawasaki riders Scott Smart and Peter Hickman gained some solid results for the team. Scott gained two 10th places and Hicky a 14th and 16th in the two gruelling races at the small circuit. Only turning a wheel on the Kawasaki ZX10’s on Sunday morning, where they were allocated a half hour practice session, the first of the weekend the two riders quickly adjusted to the twisted track.
The Friday and Saturday sessions were cancelled due to very poor weather conditions and only a few of the teams ventured out on Saturday afternoon. The weather took a change for the better on Sunday morning and it was all systems go. The Hawk team got their first opportunity to test the bikes and find a good set up for the two 30-lap races that afternoon. They ended the session with Smart in 12th and Hicky in 21st, both riders were to take to the grid in their overall Championship positions. This saw Smart starting in 14th place and Hicky in 17th.
The pair gained good start in the race one and at the end of lap two Smart had moved through the pack and was sitting in 10th place and Hicky had been passed by Tristan Palmer and was pushed down to 18th. Whilst Smart was locked in a three way battle for ninth place with Cal Crutchlow and Leon Camier, Hicky was fighting to get in the points and was making progress through the field. Reigning British Superbike Champion Ryuichi Kiyonari crashed out at Edwina’s on lap 22, hoisting the riders another place. Smart gained 10th and Hicky a confidence boosting 14th.
Smart gained another good start in the second race and settled into 11th position after lap one, Hicky got blocked into the first chicane and ended up in 19th place after the opening lap. With the safety car being deployed on lap nine the riders were able to bunch up and prepare for the restart. Smart was locked in a tight battle with factory Honda’s Leon Camier for the duration of the 30-lap assault, with Smart eventually coming out victorious and securing a strong 10th place. Hicky battled his way through the field and just missed out on the points in 16th place when the race was red flagged when Honda rider Jonathan Rea crashed out at the Bus Stop Chicane.
Smart commented “It’s been a difficult weekend by all accounts. Losing my team-mate from last year, Ollie Bridewell, certainly put a downer on the whole occasion. Once again Stuart Higgs and his team did a fantastic job and made some difficult decisions this weekend. With only having half an hour on Sunday morning we were always going to be a little bit on the back burner as to what settings to use. Thankfully the races went without any major hick-ups and I gained a pair of tenth places, which I am pretty pleased about.”
Hicky said “I only heard my bike started up for the first time on Sunday and I knew with me starting from my championship position at Mallory that the race was always going to be difficult as it’s such a hard track to pass at. I got my head down and did the best I could, I’m pretty happy and stayed on which is always a bonus. I would like to pass on my thoughts and condolences to all the Bridewell family, he’ll be sadly missed around the paddock.”
All of the Hawk Colchester Kawasaki Team would like to send their thoughts and sincere condolences to the Bridewell family.
The next race is at Croft Circuit on the 10th – 12th August.
-END-
Carly Rathmell
Freelance Sports PR
www.carlyrathmell.com
carlyrathmell@yahoo.co.uk
