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Brands Hatch - Alex Continues To Impress!.........................................................................Back To Reports and News
9th August 2009
 Round 8 of the British Super Bike Championship took place at Brands Hatch in Kent at the weekend to be held on the full 2.3 mile GP circuit.
As the Super Stock classes do not go to Mallory Park round of BSB, they returned after the summer break to round 7 in the National championship and Alex Gault the young Scottish racer was hoping to continue his good form, although not having much time round this track and none whatsoever on the big 1000cc, 180 horse power ASTRO Kawasaki ZX10R.
This showed in Free Practice and Qualifying. In his first session on track Alex could only manage 22nd place from the 45 riders entered; with a time off 1:35.023.
With adjustments made throughout Qualifying, firstly in Q1 where his time reduced by over 2 seconds to 1:33.012 and finally in Q2 to 1:31.905 and 16th place on the grid for Sundays race.
Alex commented “Although disappointing this was expected. It’s the first time I’ve been to this track on the 1000 and we had no information regards set up for the bike, my team did a fantastic job over the weekend. Until we have the backing to be able to test more, we will always struggle to be on the pace straight away at race meetings”.
Sunday morning warm –up was encouraging for the youngster setting the 13th fastest time and fastest speed through the finish line speed trap at 155.0 mph.
However despite Alex never putting a foot wrong all weekend and the ASTRO KAWASAKI ZX10R performing faultlessly, almost a disaster lay in wait for the race!
Held in fantastic weather conditions at 2.30 in the afternoon Alex race got underway in front of the biggest spectator crowds this season reported at 53,000.
Despite an uncharacteristic poor start from the Scott, he had made it back to 16th place by the end of the opening lap and continued his progress sitting in 14th by lap 4 when the RED flags came out to stop the race after a rider had crashed and debris had been scattered on the track surface.
 Alex returned to the pits with the other riders, reporting to his mechanics that the clutch in the engine had started to slip. There was no time before the restart to replace it.
This was a disaster as they all knew the clutch would not last the full race distance.
For the restart of the now 12 lap race, Alex moved up a few places on the grid to 14th. His position the lap before the stoppage.
Another poor start due to the Clutch not working properly, seen Alex drop a few places but he fought back, gaining places and time each lap, setting his fastest lap on lap 2 with a 1:31.117 and making his way up to 12th by lap 6 although the bike was visibly starting to slow as the clutch was wearing out.
Then on lap 8 the red flags came out again and as it was judged to be over ¾ distance, it was called a result and Alex had held onto his 12th place.
The points gained secured his 12th place in the Main Championship.
View Pictures from Brands Hatch Here
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