The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Ben Wilson picked up 22 British Supersport Championship points at Silverstone over the weekend to close on a top-six finish in the rider standings.
Kirton rider Wilson rode his Gearlink Kawasaki to a seventh and then a fourth place in his two races in the penultimate round of the series, taking his overall points tally to 165 points.
Wilson is now equal on points with Andy Reid in sixth position – and as Reid is out injured and unlikely to contest the final two races, any kind of points finish at Brands Hatch should seal sixth place for the Lincolnshire ace.
Qualifying didn’t quite go to plan for Wilson, as every time he went for a fast lap he was hindered by slower riders on cornering. But he persevered and completed the session in ninth place to begin the ten-lap sprint race from the third row.
As usual, he got away to a rapid start and was up to fifth place on the first lap. Then, on lap three, he moved ahead of Jake Dixon.
The action was fast and furious, with riders jostling for position. Wilson was pushed back to sixth place on lap four and was nearly fetched off a couple of times in the frantic action.
He lost another place on lap seven, but remained in close contact with the riders ahead and completed the race in seventh place to pick up a further nine championship points.
Starting the feature race on Sunday from the second row, Wilson once again got a good start and was up to fourth on the opening lap.
But the course car was brought onto the track to allow marshals to clear the track from a two-rider crash and at the same time the newly-crowned champion Luke Stapleford pulled out with a mechanical problem, promoting Wilson to third place.
Once the course car left the track Dixon took the advantage and demoted Wilson to fourth place – although he later crashed.
Sam Hornsey moved into third place and, although Wilson cut inside him on lap five, he ran wide and couldn’t make the move stick.
The top two pulled away, leaving Wilson and Hornsey to battle it out for the final podium position.
Although it wasn’t for the want of trying, Wilson was unable to stick with him and had to be content with fourth place at the chequered flag to claim his best result of the current campaign.
Wilson said: “I was happier this week, the Kawasaki ran very well and although I was unable to catch the two leaders I was closer to them than in the last few races.
“I did think I could make the podium but just couldn’t quite do it, but I will take fourth as its my best result this year.”
Brands Hatch hosts the final round (October 16-18).
