Richards takes determined win at Oulton Park
Sep 2008
Ross “Rossi” Richards put in a sterling performance at the ninth round of the ACU Suzuki GSX-R600 Trophy at Oulton Park picking up the race win from a hard charging Stanley Gamble who is now 27 points clear of his nearest Championship rival Chris Hawkes.
The Championship leader Gamble had to settle for a close second place finishing just 0.4secs behind Rossi. Third place went to Ritchie Thornton who was hot on the heels of Gamble and came over the line just 0.29secs behind.
Off the line it was Thornton who tried to get away but Richards wasn’t having that and went round the outside of him at turn one. Once in front he concentrated on putting in consistent laps and tried to break away, however he found his lack of pit signals this weekend hard to deal with and had to rely on looking at the chasing rider’s boards.
Thornton was holding second place with novice rider Michael Birch in third and Gamble running fourth. Gamble wasn’t settling for that an promptly took Birch on lap two he then put a move on Thornton on lap five at Hislop’s chicane to secure his second place finish. He was closing on Richards and looked set to make a move at turn one but with only 10 laps at his disposal he ran out of time.
Birch finished in fourth place picking up the Express Insurance Top Gun cash award while Scotsman William Bergin won the Relentless Rider of the day award which is appointed by the race commentators. Bergin got a bad start and fought back through the pack to pick up a ninth place finish, it was truly an impressive ride.
The 10th round of the ACU Suzuki GSX-R600 Trophy is at Brands Hatch on the 14th September.
Ross Richards: “I got Ritchie straight off the start round the outside at the first turn and then got my head down. I don’t like leading from the front as it is hard to gauge your pace and I had no pit board so I was judging where I was based on when the other pit boards went out.”
Stanley Gamble: “I got my usual start and I had to get away as it was only 10 laps. I found it hard to get into it but on lap four I found my rhythm and it felt better. I picked off a few people and got close to Ross, shame I didn’t have a few more laps as I would have liked the win. I enjoyed that race though.”
Ritchie Thornton: “I felt comfy on the back of Rossi but I didn’t have enough to get by him. I went into the chicane in the wrong gear and that let Stanley get past me. Ross rode really well he was very defensive.”
Michael Birch: “It was a good race I got a good start and was third into the first turn. I messed up my gears at a certain corner and that allowed Stanley to pass and then I did it again! I’m pleased with my lap times and I know I will go well next time I’m here.”
William Bergin: “I got a bad start and just had to knuckle down to it. I’m pleased I won the Relentless award – that will keep us going for a while.”
Race results:
1: Ross Richards 18min 20.36
2: Stanley Gamble +0.40
3: Ritchie Thornton +0.69
4: Michael Birch +8.75
5: Chris Hawkes +18.68
6: Adam Foster +19.66
7: Joe Moore +34.07
8: Taryn Skinner +34.16
9: William Bergin +50.47
10: John O’Neil +1min 00.88
Championship Standings:
1: Stanley Gamble 161
2: Chris Hawkes 134
3: Ritchie Thornton 125
4: Ross Richards 120
5: Joe Moore 101
6: Adam Foster 80
7: Rogerio Lacerda 74
8: Michael Birch 60
9: Colt Dwyer 51
10: John O’Neil 49
For more information on the GSX-R600, click here.
