Motourage

Howie Mainwaring finished in 5th place, allowing him to hold the number-two spot in the Supersport class

A difficult weekend for MSS Colchester Kawasaki, hampered by tricky track conditions, generated a mixed bag of results at Oulton Park.

There was formation flying in Superbike Race 1 as Gary Mason and stand-in rider Chris Walker circulated in close proximity to chalk up a solid 7th and 8th positions.  Gary put a fair but firm overtake on Chris at the end of the start-finish straight and the pair then closed in on Kiyonari forcing him into a mistake.

Race 2 was delayed as all the Superbike riders were given some vital wet practice after a deluge as qualifying had been completely dry.  After logging a good first race time both Gary and Chris moved up the grid for Race 2.  However, this was to no avail for Gary after he had to take the final grid position due to a warm-up lap front end problem, which needed checking, putting him behind the pace car.  He battled through the ranks but persistent problems forced him to pull into the pit lane leaving the team with some serious investigation to be done.  Chris had a poor start but got into his groove later in the race to finish in 11th position.

In Superstock, Howie had a very eventful race which mirrored his Brands Hatch performance by battling up to 3rd and then running straight on, resulting in him having to work extra hard to come back through to a creditable 5th place.  Howie beat the lap record by half a second and remains second in the series.

Chris said, “Overall I’m pretty happy with the weekend.  I was expecting top tens and I’ve learnt a lot about the bike and the team.  It would have been so easy to have slipped up in Race 2 but I just wanted a decent finish.  If I get the call up for Cadwell I’d be proud to be part of the team and I know wed be on the pace.”

A massively disappointed Gary commented, “Everything that could’ve gone wrong in that second race did go wrong.  I was frustrated to start at the back of the grid but at the end of the day we’d still have had to pull in I think.  If we’re looking for positives, Race 1 lap times pushed us up the grid and I know that if I could just get away better I could run further up the front.”

Howie added, “Man, that was so annoying running straight on.  We were definitely on for a podium up until that point.  I’m pleased I managed to salvage fifth and we’re still second in the Championship but it could have been so much better.  Still, not a bad weekend and it was good to be back up North as I had some good support.”

MSS Colchester Kawasaki team boss Nick Morgan summed up, “That was a tough weekend.  I’m disappointed for Gary but he had a solid ride in Race 1.  Chris was very workmanlike and we’re happy with his results, given that it was his first time on the bike.  Howie again had the ride of the weekend and his never-say-die attitude means we’re still second in the Championship.  So there were some positives but ultimately we need to do better as a team.”

With returning Green candidate Chris Walker on board, MSS Colchester Kawasaki intend to poll good results at this weekend’s Oulton Park British Superbike spectacular.

Walker is back in green on the grid at Oulton Park

Walker, who is standing in for the injured Simon Andrews, will partner the ever improving Gary Mason, both equipped with the well-fettled Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R Superbike. The Stalker, who is seen as a hero to many Kawasaki riders from his British Championship ZX-7RR days, is a big fan of the sweeping Oulton circuit as is Gary Mason. Walker may also be looking to the skies as he is known as a wet weather specialist, having ridden an incredible race to win in the rain from stone cold last, at Assen World Superbikes in 2006, for Kawasaki.

Howie Mainwaring will be concentrating on the Metzeler National Superstock Championship after a hectic Thruxton event juggling both Superbike and Superstock duty. Howie goes into his home round of Oulton with a strong second place in the series after two impressive runner-up positions.

Chris said, “Oulton is one of the most technical tracks on the BSB calendar and also one of the most exciting… I’ve had some great races there over the years and also some controversial ones! My first Superbike pole position, first win and first clash with Neil Hodgson…! You need a really good setting on the bike to go fast there, so I know it’ll be tough first time out while I settle in but with the experience of the MSS Team and hopefully some dry track time we’ll have as good a chance as anybody of running within the top 10 come Monday.

Gary Mason is fit to fight this weekend

Gary agreed, saying, “Oulton is a mega track, a real riders circuit which always has a great crowd really close to the action. I love the place with the flowing ups and downs. We made a big step at Thruxton and showed the bike was capable of doing the times. We’ve just got to work hard on setting up fir the track and we stand a good chance of doing well.”

Mainwaring feels right at home at his hometown track

Howie added, “I feel good about Oulton, it’s my home circuit and another good track for us. I feel on top of my game at the moment, fitter and lighter than I’ve ever been for racing. So I feel a good plan is to try and stay calm and keep pushing Plater.

MSS Colchester Kawasaki team boss Nick Morgan summed up “It’s obviously frustrating to have Simon out still for both him and us but that’s racing unfortunately. Gary has really taken a step up at Thruxton and Chris brings an added dimension with his Kawasaki experience. Howie has surprised a lot of people in Superstock and it makes sense to leave him to get on with the job, Thruxton gave him a little too much to deal with”

Long-time Kawasaki rider Chris Walker returns to the brand in British Superbike Championship action for MSS Colchester at this weekend’s challenging Oulton Park event.

Walker, who is remembered for his sterling rides and victories on Kawasaki machines in BSB and WSB, will stand in for the injured Simon Andrews on the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R.

“Stalker” is seen as a hero to many Kawasaki riders and beyond as he completed two of his four British Championship runner-up rides for the marquee in 1998 and 1999 on the ZX-7RR. He cemented that reputation many years later, taking an incredible win in the wet from stone-cold last at Assen World Superbikes in 2006 for PSG1 Kawasaki.

However, Walker has had a difficult year this season running a shoestring budgeted privateer machine as he awaited news of a title sponsor which has not yet materialized.

Walker enthused, “It’s been a lot of fun riding my privateer bike so far this year with the help of Ray Stringer, but with our team sponsors still a week or two away from being announced, it’s been difficult. I have been offered a fantastic opportunity in joining Nick Morgan at the MSS Colchester Kawasaki team for a round or two while Simon Andrews is out with a broken ankle. It’s a ride I had chased hard for in the winter for 2010, so it’s great to actually get the chance to ride the ZX-10R. I have always had a good relationship with Kawasaki so I want to go out there and do the best I can.  It’s a factory that I have enjoyed a lot of success with over the years. I’m really looking forward to the challenge ahead and would like to thank all involved, Ray Stringer, Nick Morgan, Kawasaki and my sponsors for allowing me this chance and making it all possible. Roll on Oulton!”

British Superbike team boss Nick Morgan added “It’s great to have the Stalker back in Green. We were very close to signing him over the winter and hopefully he can make the best use of this opportunity. It’s good for the team as he offers another perspective on the bike, and we know the bike is in a position where he can concentrate on racing it. It’s also great for the fans as he’s always been such a popular rider. Maybe we’ll see some green wins at Oulton!”

Michael Johnstone, Kawasaki Motor UK Sales and Marketing Manager added, “Chris remains in the hearts of Kawasaki riders even after all this time. His British Championship days were fantastic, and the Assen WSB victory meant a lot both here and back in Japan. We’re glad to have him back on Kawasaki machinery in the British Superbike Championship and wish him all the best. We would also like to wish Simon a continued speedy recovery from his injuries”