Lap record for Howie at Silverstone GP

MSS Colchester Kawasaki rider Howie Mainwaring took the first ever lap record at the new Silverstone MotoGP circuit with a fine podium in one of two Superstock support races this weekend.

Howie took sixth in the second outing after a race long duel with returning MSS Superbike rider Simon Andrews, who this weekend deputised for the injured Conor Cummins in the Blackhorse Kawasaki Team.

The race weekend saw two dramatic Superstock races with multiple leader changes. Howie lead the race for several laps before he was overhauled by the vastly experienced Josh Brookes and Glen Richards.

The Superstock riders had a number of extra runners to add even more competitiveness to an already impressive field including Brookes, Andrews, Ian Lowry, Michael Rutter and Martin Jessop.

With the added pressure of a huge crowd and MotoGP bosses in attendance, there was plenty on the line and opportunities to shine or crash out! Howie definitely shone in race one but with handling issues in race two he had to make the best of a bad job to finish sixth. Afterwards, a clearly disappointed Howie said, "I guess if this had been the other way round with a sixth on Saturday and a podium and fastest lap on race day I would be happier! I learnt loads about the circuit in race one but unfortunately I didn’t get to use the settings as we had a few problems in race two. Still awesome to ride in front of a big crowd and with all GP bikes parked up in pitlane!”

Team boss Nick Morgan summed up "Overall, a cracking weekend and again so impressed with Howie, he really rode with maturity in both races keeping out of trouble. OK we lost a couple of points to Kirkham but we also cemented the runner-up placing with a big gap back to Plater, who’s still injured. I’m sure the fans loved watching the two Kawasaki’s battling it out in race two but I was genuinely surprised to see Simon cross the line in front of Howie!”

Metzeler National Superstock 1000 Championship

Rounds 5 and 6, MotoGP Silverstone

Race 1 result

1. Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda)
2. Glen Richards (Padgetts Honda) +0.500s
3. Howie Manwaring (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) +1.967s
4. Jon Kirkham (JK Racing BMW) +2.933s
5. Simon Andrews (Blackhorse Kawasaki) +2.970s

Race two result

1. Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda)
2. Michael Rutter (Ridersmotorcycles.com BMW) +3.336s
3. Jon Kirkham (JK Racing BMW) +5.043s
4. Sam Warren (Midland Motorsport Honda) +5.975s
5. Simon Andrews (Blackhorse Kawasaki) +8.864s

Championship standings after Silverstone:

1. Jon Kirkham (JK Racing BMW) 104
2. Howie Mainwaring (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) 86
3. Steve Plater (HM Plant Honda) 70