FULL HOUSE
Unexpectedly the Samsung Yamaha squad had the full contingent of riders at the 5th round of the Maxxis British Championship in the picturesque setting of Northern Ireland's Desertmartin. Noone in the team had envisaged that MX2 star Ray Rowson would be on the start line just 2 weeks after damaging his MCL knee ligament at the previous round in Whitby, but the determined ace not only showed but put on a great show and came away with good points so as not to damage his championship position.
Rowson only managed a 20th in qualifying as he nursed his way round the tricky track but come race time he through caution to the wind. Out of the gate mid pack in race 1 left the Samsung pilot with plenty of ground to make up and with no expectations from the team he set about moving forward in rapid fashion, into the top 10 by lap 4 and making ground on the riders in front Rowson surprised everyone to finish the race in 8th having trailed Suzuki's Steven Clarke for the last 5 laps. Race 2 saw a better start from Rowson as he pushed hard in the early going he moved up into 5th place getting caught by the on form Elliot Banks Browne in lap 3 put him back to 6th where he looked comfortable dispite his injury and would finish there at the flag. Rowsons final race saw him go down and with concerns over his knee the team where on tender hooks, but he was up and charging through the pack with what looked like no ill effects, down in 32nd on lap 1 but carving his way forward Rowson had the Samsung Yamaha boiling as mid way through the race he was up to a point scoring position of 19th and still moving towards the front ending up 13th across the line a tremendous result and more importantly in one piece and having had 3 point scoring rides to secure 7th overall on the day and ...........
Samsungs other MX2 rider Jackson Evans had a mixed bag of a day crashing out heavily in moto 1 recording a no score and visiting the medical team he was back on the line for moto 2. What seems to be Evans weak point reared its face once more as he set off near the back of the pack from yet another poor start, but the youngster was flying and by lap 4 was up to 26th and still heading in the right direction. By lap 6 he'd leapfrogged the Yamaha into 21st just off the points and was battling with imported New Zealand talent Kayne Lamont. A slip saw him drop a few places with an eventual 26th place finish. Moto 3 was a non starter as a last minute bike adjustment saw the team miss the start by a mere 15 seconds and thus being not allowed to enter the race!!!
MX1 title hopeful Samsung Yamaha mounted Kristian Whatley went into Desertmartin with a smile on his face knowing his ride with the team had been agreed for the 2012 campaign with contracts signed so now it was time for the wonderkid to prove his worth. Qualifying in 4th in both sessions Whatley was feeling good and had his game plan in place. But with all best laid plans, diasaster struck, Whatley was down at the start after clipping a rear wheel and getting his leg stuck in another machine!!! Right at the back the the Samsung rider showed his maturity as he cooley slashed his way through the pack from 32nd he was up 10 places in one lap, 15th by lap 3!!!! Whatley's speed on board the Yamaha was noticed by all in attendance as by lap 6 he was inside the top 10!!!Lap 10 saw him into 5th place and in the final 2 laps he hauled himself onto the podium for a fantastic 3rd place finish with Anderson winning and local favourite Martin Barr runner up. Moto 2 saw a better gate as he came round in contention with the race 1 leaders all 3 riders where closely matched with the Samsung rider looking strong making a move into 2nd at half distance and on the hunt for the win, but for a fall on lap 9 it would of been a win for sure as Whatley and the Samsung Yamaha looked as one. The slip allowed championship rival Anderson through and seeing his chance for another win he pushed hard to take it from Barr who again managed runner up in front of his home crowd. Final moto and Anderson had got the taste for victory, he was out of the gate and away like a scolded cat, Whatley Yamaha was back in 6th at the end of lap one and on the move with Barr again holding the second place position. The Samsung ace knew he needed to beat Anderson and was pushing all the way, within 3 laps he was into 3rd and closing down local hero Barr with Anderson holding a good lead in front. Whatley kept pushing and closed down Barr making the pass, with 3 laps remaining he set off after the PAR Honda rider and closed him down to just 6 seconds in front at the flag. So 3rd overall on the day, 2nd overall in the championship but needing to turn the tables at the next round at Foxhills in Wiltshire next time out.
Newest member of the Samsung Yamaha team Joe Bamfield riding in the youth MXY2 qualified in 7th and looked set for a good days racing. Moto 1 saw him out of the blocks well in a top 10 position and by lap 2 had put on a fantastic show of speed to blast up to 4th position and for the next 4 laps he battled hard swapping places before a mistake saw him drop the Yamaha and re-start in 8th which was to be his finishing position. Moto 2 and a slower start to his charge up from another top 10 start, but the Samsung Yamaha was moving consistently forwards as Bamfield picked off his opposition one by one. By lap 6 he was up to 5th place but the pace was taking its toll as he started to get tired allowing 2 riders past for a 7th place finish and 7th overall.
As the team now has a months break be sure to see all the team riders making good use of the time to strengthen any weaknesses and be at the top of their game for the spectacular Wiltshire circuit of Foxholes near Swindon.
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