James Westmoorland British Supersport Championship
14/09/2009 20:56:55

Solid Points for JW Racing at Croft

21 year old East Yorkshireman James Westmoreland finished the 18 lap race at Croft in 4th place to add 13 points to his championship tally. The team were joined for the weekend by A1 Moto Services as title sponsors at the North Yorkshire circuit and were keen to be back on the top step of the podium. The weekend started very strongly with James never outside the top 3, and working very hard with his team to close down the advantage Billy McConnell had over the rest of the field. The first Qualifying session saw Westy qualify 2nd and close down the time deficit to McConnell. The 2nd session was very promising and James had a perfect feeling with his 675 in the swealtering conditions to move even closer to pole position but the pole time stood from the morning in the cooler conditions. James qualified 2nd and was one of two riders in the 1:21's around the North Yorkshire circuit.

Westmoreland topped warm up and with everything feeling perfect the scene was set for a classic race. After warm up it was apparent James's number 1 bike had a problem and it would be too much of a risk to run this bike in the race leaving no option to ride the spare which had not been ridden all weekend. James made a great start and settled in behind McConnell until lap 6 when the safety car came out for 3 laps. On lap 10 James made his move and had a good fight with his fellow competitor getting the better of him until lap 17 when Plater made his move which allowed Billy past and as Westy retaliated on McConnell, Ben Wilson squeezed by and James was left dissapointed with 4th place. It was not until the team debrief with James that it was apparent how hard the race had been.

" Gutted with 4th place is an understatement. Yesterday in qualifying I had a perfect package and having to ride the spare bike today I did not have the same feeling. I had massive vibrations and chatter on the front end which pumped up my arms, and no rear grip from the start but I was determined to win the race for my team and sponsors. I gave it absolutely everything out there today but I had nothing left on the last lap. Its one of those things but I am convinced if I was on my prefered bike it would have been a very different story. The championship is now over but I will not stop fighting and we go to Silverstone with nothing to loose. I feel robbed to have only finished 4th but I am very proud of the battle I put up in far from ideal circumstances."

Visit A1 Moto Services in York for a celebration evening on Saturday 19th September at 7.0pm to celebrate A1 moto being voted the No1 UK dealer in the Riderpower survey 2009. Joining us of course will be the wonderful Stealer playing a fantastic selection of classic rock. James and his 675 Daytona Triumph will be present, come along for a good night out and a chat.

Pictures courtesy of Turn One Photography.

For further details contact :

J W Racing. Email. mandy@westmoreland.me.uk

Tel. 01482 815526. Mobile : 07792496679

www.jameswestmoreland.com