Motorcycles news

Brands Hatch set the scene for the final round of the Virgin Mobile Cup. Although the new champion had been crowned at the previous round, with Tom Grant landing the dream contract of a team place with the Virgin Mobile Superbike squad, there were still the runner up positions to decide. A new Yamaha R6 and £3000 and a new Yamaha Aerox scooter and £1000 were to be decided between early championship leader Matt Whitman and one of the youngest winners in the cup, James Webb.

The race started in the worst possible conditions with heavy rain at one side of the track and completely dry at another! Early leader was 16 year old David Paton, returning from injury and proving he had not dented his confidence with the lay off. As the weather worsened, the pack challenged for positions and the crowd were really getting behind these youngsters.

Brave Aussie Anton Kookshaw took the lead and pushed hard, only to run off at Stirlings Bend, rejoining mid pack and eventually crashing out. This left Irishman BJ Toal in the lead and looking most likely to take his first win. Leading from the front in diabolical conditions was not for the faint hearted but BJ looked confident slowly increasing his advantage. Mr Gowland however had other ideas and using BJ as marker started to pull him back. Surviving some scary slides, Graeme showed why he was one of the UK’s top young Moto X stars as he controlled his Yamaha. He rode the final lap with total commitment making a daring move into the penultimate corner to take the win from BJ.

Graeme Gowland said: “That was amazing, guys were falling around me and the weather was changing the track every lap, I loved every minute of it! I caught BJ at the last corner, he had done a great race and I used him to make up time. This has been a fantastic year for me in the Virgin Mobile Cup.”

“I really thought I had done enough to get my first win, it was hard to lead from the front to know how hard to push. Fair play to Graeme he rode hard. I am happy with my year and cannot wait for the new season” said BJ Toal.

Third place went David Paton a great result for the young Scot. David said: ” I am really pleased to come back from breaking my ankle and be at the front like this, I think I have shown I can run up front and will be planning to do more of the same next year.”

The runner prizes went to Matt Whitman 2nd and James Webb 3rd.

“That was incredible, for these young guy’s to perform like that in those conditions was amazing; the Dunlop Qualifiers coped with everything the British weather could throw at them! This series is all about guys like Graeme, totally brand new with incredible talent on a level playing field. Tom Grant our new Champion will get to test his new Superbike next week and the dream continues for the Virgin Mobile Cup competitors.” said Rob Mac, series organiser.

Race Results – Brands Hatch
1 Graeme GOWLAND 18:12.624
2 BJ TOAL 18:12.850
3 David PATON 18:13.918
4 Tom GRANT 18:15.013
5 Midge SMART 18:15.386
6 Matthew WHITMAN 18:16.379
7 James WEBB 18:16.680
8 Calvin HOGAN 18:16.704
9 John PEARSON 18:22.726
10 Jon HARWOOD 18:28.858
11 Simon DEAVILLE 18:38.030
12 Jimmy HILL 1:39.579
13 Olie LINSDELL 18:57.607