The rain followed the British Supersport Championship from Scotland’s Knockhill to Lincolnshire’s Snetterton Circuit for round five. The timetable for several races on Saturday was severely delayed including for the Sprint Race due to several heavy showers. Eugene managed to glide his Ducati to 8th place in that race whilst James slid off on lap 5 whilst running in eleventh position. In the Feature Race, Eugene crossed the line in 10th whilst James came home in 18th.
The rain followed the British Supersport Championship from Scotland’s Knockhill to Lincolnshire’s Snetterton Circuit for round five. The timetable for several races on Saturday was severely delayed including for the Sprint Race due to several heavy showers. Eugene managed to glide his Ducati to 8th place in that race whilst James slid off on lap 5 whilst running in eleventh position. In the Feature Race, Eugene crossed the line in 10th whilst James came home in 18th.
Qualification
James had to take part in Q1. Conditions were wet, and the red flag came out on the out-lap halting proceedings. Undeterred and on a damp track, James posted the third-best time with the rain starting to fall again in the closing minutes. This comfortably sent him through to Q2 to join his older brother.
In Q2. Eugene wasted no time in breaking into the top ten. James, however, found himself caught out by the treacherous conditions and had to sit out the rest of the session. A heavy shower at Snetterton halted the session again, with Eugene sitting 8th. Upon returning to the circuit, Eugene too fell victim to the slippery track, sliding off and dropping down the order in the final minutes.
The consequences were that the brothers would have to start further down the grid than anticipated. Eugene from 19th on the grid and James from 27th.
Sprint Race (8 laps)
After several delays and false starts, due to persistent rain, the race finally kicked off Saturday evening.
Both riders made good starts with the number 15 Ducati of Eugene climbing to 12th in the British Supersport class on the opening lap and James an excellent 14th.
By the fourth lap, the two Rokit Haslam Racing riders were running together, with younger brother James slightly ahead of Eugene. James’ good work came undone as he slipped off on lap five to join an ever-increasing number of DNFs. Only 24 of the 38 starters made it to the finish line.
Eugene, showing resilience, kept his machine steady and crossed the finish line in a respectable 8th position.
Feature Race (12 laps)
The rain subsided and the track was dry for the Feature Race, at least as it started. James launched from 20th on the grid with Eugene two places further back.
Eugene made up four places on the opening lap slotting into 18th position. James gained a position a lap later. Eugene continued to gain places as the laps were chalked off. He went on to finish an excellent 10th at the flag.
James battled away too, rising as high as 15th at one point. A mechanic issue in the race’s closing stages caused James some difficulties. When the red flag came out for the rain, he had slipped to 18th position.
Eugene said, “That was a difficult weekend. Trying to set the bike up and long delays before the race on Saturday were a challenge but it was the same for everyone. We didn’t have the best feelings with the bike in the wet Sprint Race but we brought it home and scored some points. In race two we suffered because we were so far back on the grid. But we got stuck in and tenth at the end was a good result when you think we started 22nd.”
James said, “The Sprint Race was going well but the conditions caught out a lot of riders and I was just one of many. It was good to bring the bike home in the Feature Race, on Sunday. This gives us more confidence and I am looking forward to Brands Hatch.”
