Ben Wilson returned to the scene of the horrific crash that cost him three years of his career over the weekend as he continued his comeback.
Kirton racer Wilson, who heads to Donington Park for round three of the 2019 British Supersport Championship this weekend, spent last week in Northern Ireland at the North West 200 races.
The Mill Road Roundabout on the North West 200 course was the scene of the horrific crash that saw him suffer a badly broken leg that threatened to end his days as a racer.
Wilson returned to the scene of his crash and was invited to ride in the 90-year celebration parade on Saturday.
He would love to return to the NW to race again and when asked if this would be on the cards for next year he replied “never say never”.
Wilson is improving with every outing on the Gearlink Kawasaki Supersport machine – but there is still work to be done with the development of the new Kawasaki and his own recovery.
It has been three years of hard work and training to get back to the stage where he can be competitive and he is edging nearer to the front of the pack.
He broke into the top ten at Oulton Park and is looking to replicate that at Donington Park this weekend.
Wilson’s timetable: Friday – FP1 9.40am; FP2 2.40pm. Saturday – Qualifying 11.05am; Sprint race (20 laps) 5pm. Sunday – warm-up 9.40am; Feature race (24 laps) 3.40pm.
- Aaron Clarke heads to Leicestershire for the third round of the Pirelli National Superstock 1000 championship at Donington Park this weekend.
The high-profile series has three races at Donington Park; two back-to-back races on Saturday and a third on Sunday, which will give Clarke plenty of track time and a chance to pick up valuable championship points.
The Kirton talent has moved up from the Stock 600 class this year with a new BMW and is fully aware that this will be a learning year for him.
There are many very experienced riders in the series and Clarke knows he has to up his game to get on terms with them.
But he is a quick learner and has already scored championship points.
In a full grid of 40 riders Clarke is gradually working his way through into the top 15 and will be looking to advance further this weekend.
Timetable: Friday – FP1 12.15pm; FP2 – 4.50pm. Saturday – Qualifying 10.30pm; Races one and two (22 laps each) 2.30pm. Sunday – warm-up 9am; Race three (22 laps) 2.55pm.
- The three G&S Racing Kawasaki riders head to Donington Park for the third round of the Pirelli National Superstock 1000 and 600 championships this weekend – where they will be racing on the national circuit, thus missing out the Melbourne Loop.
Kevin Keyes was disappointed when he was unable to race at Oulton Park in the stock 600 race when the team had difficulty changing his wheel.
The wheel nut refused to budge and Keyes had to sit out the race in the pit lane to watch his championship lead slip away. He will be anxious to do well at Donington to try to rectify this.
TJ Toms, meanwhile, rode well at Oulton Park to complete the Stock 600 race in fifth place and step up to seventh in the rider standings.
He too will be seeking a top result to consolidate his championship position.
Milo Ward had a tough time at Oulton Park as he suffered problems with his visor misting up, which impaired his vision.
He did battle on to finish the race but was down in 34th place.
With a new helmet this weekend and three races for the Stock 1000 riders to contest he will be seeking some good results to pick up some valuable championship points.
Timetable (Superstock 600): Friday – FP1 11.40am; FP2 4.15pm. Saturday – qualifying 12.45pm; FP3 – 6.35pm. Sunday – 20-lap race 12.40pm
