Gearlink Kawasaki Silverstone - Round 1

It was certainly a mixed weekend for the Gearlink Kawasaki team at the first round of the Dickies British Supersport Championship at Silverstone Circuit. Due to weather and track contamination the opening race on Saturday was cancelled. In race two on Sunday Mason Law secured a fantastic podium with third place and Luke Hedger unfortunately suffered and electrical problem.

 

Both Gearlink Kawasaki riders worked hard all weekend in changing conditions and Luke and Mason were setting good consistent times in the practice sessions and there were looking likely to challenge for two podium positions. In qualifying Mason set a fantastic time and qualified in third place in his first ever British Supersport season. Luke struggled a little in the session and was placed in 12^th on the grid for the schedule Sprint race on Saturday.

 

The riders lined up on the grid for race one and both riders got a good start. Sadly Mason touched something on the circuit that forced him and two other riders to crash out at the same place on lap one. Luke had gained a fantastic start and was up to fifth place when the safety car was deployed. As the car re-entered the pit lane the heavens opened and the race was red flagged. The race was re-started and due to several incidents, including Luke Hedger, race direction cancelled the race and they hope to run it at a future venue.

 

For race two Mason moved up to second place on the grid and Luke up to ninth. Luke suffered a problem on the sighting lap and was forced to start the race from the pit lane. He was having an unbelievable ride working his way through the pack from dead last through to a very respectable seventh position, when he was plagued by an electrical gremlin that forced him out of the race.

 

Mason Law had one of the rides of the weekend, having suffered a pretty serious hand injury in his crash on Saturday he braved on and pushed through the pain barrier to gain a fantastic debut British Supersport podium in third place. He really did ride with his sole and heart and defeated the odds to not only be locked in a battle with his old Superstock 600 rival Tarran Mackenzie but also to finish in third.

 

Mason Law - "I was really fired up for the opening round at Silverstone and was looking forward to working with my new team for the season. I was really happy all weekend with the times I was setting and the progress we all made throughout the weekend.

 

I was feeling confident for race one as the lights turned green; I got a good start and was settling myself into a good rhyme. Then something on the track caught out three of us and we all crashed out, I had a problem with my glove and unfortunately I took all the skin off the back of my hand, it's not pretty!

 

I can't thank the BSB medical staff enough for looking after me after the crash on Saturday but also on Sunday morning in preparation for the race. Without them I don't think I would have been able to go out on the grid and I am really grateful for the great team of medics - thank you!

 

I knew I had to forget the pain and just dig deep as I really wanted to get a good result to start the season with. I got another good start and we managed to make a bit of a break between us and the chasing pack. I had a good dice with Taz for second position and he got the better of me in the end but I'm just really pleased to have been able to get on the podium considering the circumstances. I am looking forward to being fully fit for Oulton Park and seeing what we can do there. I would like to thank all my personal sponsors, the Gearlink Kawasaki team and everyone else that helped this weekend."

 

Luke Hedger - "I'm just so disappointed this weekend that I wasn't able to leave here with a race result. I've worked so hard all winter to be fully prepared for this season; I was running strong all weekend and set some good times. The Sprint race was a bit of a nightmare as I crashed out and took a heavy knock to my wrist.

 

I was looking forward to Sunday and getting a race under my belt but sadly on the out lap I suffered a problem with the bike so I pulled into the pits. The Gearlink team did what they could to try and get me out for the race. I pushed my way through the pack and sadly it re-occurred in the closing stages and I was forced to pull out. I'm really gutted and hope we can get some better luck at Oulton Park."

 

MCE British Superbike

 

In the MCE British Superbike series, the Gearlink Kawasaki team are running Italian Vittorio Iannuzzo. Vittorio worked hard all weekend and despite some setbacks and a lack of track time he was able to finish both Superbike races in 21^st and 20^th places.

 

Vittorio Iannuzzo - "It was really hard starting the season for us as we needed track time desperately but because of the weather this was not possible.

 

I struggled during qualifying as the feel on the bike for me still wasn't perfect. During the races we made some good progress and some massive steps forwards and this has made me really happy and very positive for the rest of the Championship.

 

I want to say thank you to all my team and especially to Michael and Norma who have made me feel so welcome into their Gearlink Kawasaki team."

 

 

Team Manager Michael de Bidaph - "It has been a mixed weekend for the Gearlink Kawasaki team. We know the situation with the track and the weather was the same for everyone but we really missed out some vital track time.

 

It was a big set-back in the Supersport class with both riders with everything that happened on Saturday. We had two broken bikes on Saturday night and Mason has hurt his hand pretty badly. Luke was unlucky to suffer with an electrical problem that we have to investigate when we are back at the workshop this week. He rode very hard in the second race to get from the back of the pack through to seventh and hope we can have both riders on the podium very soon.

 

I am pleased for Mason, he had to work hard through his injury and I know he was in a lot of pain so it was great he was able to score a podium position for us under the circumstances. It was a tough weekend and it was good to see him gain his first Supersport podium with our team.

 

I am pleased with the progress we made in the Superbike class with Vittorio, the results certainly do not reflect the effort that was put in nor the progress we made with the bike. We got two races under our belt and considering the lack of track time Vittorio has had he rode exceptionally well and we hope to continue moving forwards at Oulton Park."

 

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