Young Kirton racer Aaron Clarke stormed to his best finish of the Pirelli National Superstock 600 Championship at Thruxton on Saturday – but was later disqualified.
Clarke rode his ACR Kawasaki to a fine 24th place on his first outing at the Hampshire track and was delighted after hitting the chequered flag.
However, after a post-race check he was one of three riders to be disqualified on a technicality.
He said: “Disappointed is an understatement! “I raced to finish 24th, which I was pleased with.
“Then my bike was one of the ones selected at random to have the ECU checked – and we were missing the seals as it was a new bike at Snetterton.
“When they put the NEW frame stickers on they didn’t think to do the ECU, but yet we are to blame.
“Rules are rules and I accept that. But it’s very frustrating that they wouldn’t even test the ECU to see that it wasn’t played with.
“I’m gutted for myself, all of my sponsors and everyone who comes to support me as we had a good finish.
“I am hungrier than ever now though, the next round at Cadwell is my home track – so extra motivation!”
Having never raced at the bumpy and technical circuit before, Clarke was at a disadvantage to the rest of the riders – but he was quick to learn his way around the course.
Despite shaving another second from his times set in free practice he was to start his race from the 11th row in 33rd position. As the race got under way he got the start he wanted and was mixing it within a large group of riders in 31st place. He slowly moved through to field and eventually finished in a very encouraging 24th before the post-race problems kicked in.
The next round at Cadwell Park over the weekend of August 21-23.
