Kirton racer Aaron Clarke felt that an untimely crash cost him at least a podium position at Oulton Park over the weekend.
Clarke was unlucky to crash out of second place when going for the race lead in round three of the National Superstock 600 championship.
The draperRACING ace, who has enjoyed a stellar start to the season, was having a really good weekend and was never out of the top five during free practice.
Clarke went on to complete his qualifying in fourth place to start his race from the second row, directly behind pole.
As the lights went out Clarke got away to a good start, moving straight up into third place.
On lap three he passed Kevin Keyes to move into second place behind race leader Ryan Vickers.
His progress was halted for a couple of laps as the safety car came out for a crash involving fellow Lincolnshire rider Aaron Silvester.
Once the car left the track the race was back on and Clarke got a good restart, moving up to within seven hundredths of seconds of the leader. But it all went wrong on lap seven when he slid off unhurt at Shell Oils while challenging for the lead.
Clarke said: “I was really close to Vickers and looking to make a pass eventually but missed a gear at Shell and ran wide before going down.
“I am gutted as I was on for a podium at least. But that’s racing. No damage was done to the bike or myself – so we live to fight another day!”
Clarke will be in action at the end of the month when the next round is one of the support races at the World Superbike round at Donington Park on May 27.
