The weather played its part in both races at Brands Hatch for the G&S Racing Kawasaki team at the Quattro Group British Supersport Championship.
However, both riders put in a strong performance with TJ Toms scoring points in both races, while Jorel Boerboom was unlucky to crash out of the first race in the tricky conditions but came back stronger in race two.
After qualifying in 15th place Toms was hopeful of a top result but a heavy shower ahead of the sprint race left the track wet and greasy. Toms went for a wet front and an intermediate rear tyre in the hope that the track would dry over the course of the ten-lap race. As the race got underway the conditions were dire and Toms dropped back to 28th. A dry line soon appeared and he began to make progress.
Those who had gone for full wets soon began to slow but Toms was flying and made up places, crossed the finish line in 12th position.
Sunday’s feature race was run in similar conditions, and Toms was on the front row after recording the second fastest lap of race one. This time he gambled with full wets and as the race started he led the field for the first lap before gradually being overtaken as the track dried. He stuck with it and completed the 16 laps in 14th place to pick up two more championship points to add to the four from race one.
Boerboom started the first race from the tenth row and was making up places with every lap but slid off at Graham Hill Bend to end his race early. Starting the second race from the tenth row again, he made good progress to secure a 20th place finish.
Team manager Tom Fisher said the outcome of both races had been dependent on tyre choice.
“It was the same for everyone, just a gamble on whether the rain would abate or return,” he said.
“If that first race had gone another few laps TJ could have won it as he was two or three seconds faster than the winner.
“Jorel was unlucky but for that crash he would have easily been in the points.”
The next round is at Thruxton on August 8/10.
