A nasty hand injury suffered during qualifying made it a tough weekend for Saracen’s Head race ace Ben Stafford at Brands Hatch.
Representing Silicone Engineering at round six of the National Superstock 600 Championship, Stafford came into the meet in fine form.
That was reflected in his pace, as he set some great times in free practice and was happy with the set up at the beginning of the weekend. When qualifying one (Q1) came, Stafford again bettered his times and set a very respectable 1.30.9mins to put him in seventh place.
However, the South Holland racer crashed out at Druids just before the flag and was collected by another rider, damaging his left hand in the process.
After a trip to the medical centre and a few X-rays, Stafford was deemed fit for Q2. And, although in pain, he proceeded to go out for the 30-minute session.
As expected, his time was not bettered, leaving him in a respectable 11th place for the start of Sunday’s race.
Race day started well and, after battling for five laps, a jolt to the already painful hand meant that Stafford would find it difficult to hang for the remainder of the race.
He carried on regardless and eventually crossed the line in 15th place – which was a little disappointing, but still in the points.
Although the weekend didn’t quite go to plan, Stafford would once again like to thank the Silicone team for providing a great bike and the continued support along with all of his loyal sponsors.
- After a trip to the hospital post-race, it was confirmed that Stafford has a fractured scaphoid bone and one to the base of the thumb.
He will need some intense therapy after the cast is removed in nine days if he is to be ready for Thruxton in two weeks’ time.
