The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
The three G&S Racing Kawasaki riders enjoyed a fantastic weekend at Thruxton.
Both Milo Ward and Ben Luxton stepped onto the podium in the Pirelli National Superstock 600 race, while Tom Fisher enjoyed a strong and trouble-free run in the Superstock 1000 race for the Wyberton-based team.
Both Ward and Luxton put in a strong qualifying showing, with both riders beginning their race from the second row of the grid.
Ward settled into fourth place on the first lap and remained in that position through the first half of the 14-lap race.
When a rider crashed ahead of him, he was promoted to third place and then began to reel in the riders ahead.
He moved up into second place on lap 11, but was too far away from leader Ryan Vickers to make any impression on his lead, but still held his place superbly.
He also recorded the fastest lap of the race with a 1.18.569mins (107.95mph) clocking.
Ward, who claimed 20 championship points, moves up to sixth place in the rider standings on 76 points.
He said: “I knew this place would be hard on my contact lenses so wore my glasses for the race. I was sitting in the pack but beginning to pull away from them.
“The two riders just ahead pushed a little too hard and crashed so I didn’t have to make an overtaking move on them.
“To get both the bikes on the podium is what team boss Mark Fisher has always wanted although the top spot would have been nicer. But Vickers is going so well and showing us the way home.
“We will have to keep chasing him and maybe we will get him before the end of the season.”
Luxton, meanwhile, didn’t get the best of starts and remained in seventh place through the first few laps before passing Caolan Irwin on lap eight. With a crash further up field, he then moved up into fifth place.
He then entered into a battle with Cameron Lee and the pair exchanged places before Luxton finally shook him off and claimed third place on the final lap.
Luxton picked up 16 championship points and moved up to 11th place on 38 points – after only coming into the series in round five of the eight rounds.
He said: “I got stuck between Lee and Keyes for a while but eventually managed to pass them both, Lee on the last corner.
“It was great racing and I have to thank G&S Racing for putting such a great bike under me.”
It was then Fisher’s turn to impress and he did just that by qualifying in 18th place for the start of the Superstock 1000 race.
He maintained 18th for the first two laps before being pushed back to 20th.
But he fought back and was soon up to 19th. On the final lap he moved back into 18th position and although not quite up into a point scoring position he rode a good race and the big Kawasaki was perfect.
Team manager Mark Fisher said: “Well, what a cracking weekend. I am so pleased for both Milo and Ben to get up onto the podium and for Tom to have a trouble free ride inside the top 20.
“Tom did have a bit of a problem with the heat but he rode well and also had a strong qualifying.
“I am so pleased with the results and for all the hard work the team has put in again this weekend. I also want to thank all our loyal sponsors for their continued support.
“I would like to dedicate the double podium to one of our long-term sponsors and friends who has recently had a family tragedy, we are thinking of him.
“Tom and I will miss the next round at Cadwell as my daughter is getting married in Cyprus, but the rest of the team will be at the Wolds circuit to represent us.”
The next round is at Cadwell Park over the weekend of August 17-19.
