McDougall declares himself lucky to finish at Brands Hatch
11-05-2008
BRITISH SUPERSPORT CUP
RD 03 - BRANDS HATCH
SUN 11th MAY - RACE - 18 LAPS
StoneBaker's Pat McDougall declared himself lucky just to get to the chequered flag, let alone finish fourth in today's incident-hit third-round race in the 2008 British Supersport Cup at Brands Hatch. McDougall was pushed wide onto the grass during his opening lap and then later miraculously saved an almost-certain highside aboard the Beowulf Yamaha. The 18-lap race saw the safety car deployed twice and a third of the field fail to finish. Despite the drama, Pat moves up one place into joint third position in the Supersport Cup standings with 40 points alongside Dean Hipwell (Yamaha) and Alistair Fagan (Triumph).
The race comprised the rescheduled opening round from April, which had to be abandoned due to snowbound conditions. Qualifying positions from the earlier event still stood for today, but as the Honda-mounted Dennis Hobbs was absent due to injury Pat found himself moved up one place on the grid into 16th position.
The Supersport Cup is a "race within a race" for all the riders in the main British Supersport Championship who receive no factory backing or assistance.
The drama for McDougall began almost from the second the race began. Making a good start, Pat came up behind four other riders at Surtees bend on the opening lap. Attempting to ride round the outside of them, McDougall was pushed wide onto the grass and lost eight places whilst he worked his way back onto the track. However the field quickly bunched back together as the safety car had to be deployed to allow the circuit's medical team to tend to an incident at Paddock Hill Bend.
The safety car was retired on lap four and racing began again. Pat started to gain ground on the riders ahead, putting in his best lap on lap five, timed at one minute 31.120 seconds. However, Surtees was to provide further mishap for McDougall on lap eight when he found himself ejected from his saddle and lucky not to completely lose control of his machine as he landed on the tank. Although he had moved back up the field during earlier laps, largely as a result of other riders crashing out, the incident cost the Guildford-based McDougall a further two places.
With the safety car being deployed again between laps 11 to 14, McDougall was left with a largely straightforward run through to the chequered flap for the final four laps. The Beowulf ace was the fourth Supersport Cup rider to finish and the 18th overall. Like most of the riders across all of the classes, McDougall had complained of a lap of grip throughout the weekend. The fact that only 22 riders from a 37-strong field actually completed the race showed how treacherous the conditions had been.
The series now takes a two-week break before recommencing at Donington Park on May 24th.
Pat McDougall, StoneBaker Supersport Cup rider
"I had a massive moment at Surtees on lap eight. I was in second gear and trying to get a good drive onto the back straight. I lost the back end completely, the bike spat me up and I landed on the tank. I had no hands on the bars and my legs were dragging along the side of the bike. I lost about six or seven second there. It wasn't the best of races: I think we were lucky to bring the bike back in one piece, to be honest. I wanted to finish second, that's what we were aiming for, but at least I've moved up one place in the championship."
David McDougall, Stonebaker UK Team Manager
"The number of crashes today have been pretty unbelievable. The result wasn't what we were after, we wanted to keep the momentum of the Oulton podium going. But Pat lapped quicker than several of the people who finished ahead of him and both he and the bike finished the race intact. Talking to a number of other riders, they've all complained of a greasy track due to the heat and anyone running traction control today would have been at a significant advantage. The bike is due to undergo further development before we set out for Donington in a fortnight's time, so we'll regroup there and make sure we get back on that rostrum."
BRITISH SUPERSPORT CUP
RD 03 BRANDS HATCH
RACE RESULT - 18 LAPS
1. Craig Fitzpatrick (Yamaha) - 29:36.161
2. Andy Weymouth (Yamaha) - 29:37.301
3. Dean Hipwell (Yamaha) - 29:41.375
4. Pat McDougall (Yamaha) - 29:45.696
BRITISH SUPERSPORT CHAMPIONSHIP
RD 03 BRANDS HATCH
RACE RESULT - 18 LAPS
1. Hudson Kennaugh (Yamaha) - 29:26.947
2. Glen Richards (Triumph) - 29:30.188
3. Steve Brogan (Honda) - 29:35.578
18. Pat McDougall (Yamaha) - 29:45.696
BRITISH SUPERSPORT CUP
CURRENT CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
1. Craig Fitzpatrick (Yamaha) - 75pts
2. Andy Weymouth (Yamaha) - 60pts
3= Pat McDougall (Yamaha) - 40pts
3= Alistair Fagan (Triumph) - 40pts
3= Dean Hipwell (Yamaha) - 40pts
BRITISH SUPERSPORT CHAMPIONSHIP
CURRENT CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
1. Glen Richards (Triumph) - 65pts
2. Hudson Kennaugh (Yamaha) - 58pts
3. Steve Brogan (Honda) - 52pts
Sponsors
Team Beowulf Racing.
The great race at the new Portimao circuit brings an end to our season in World Superbike Superstock 600, with riders Gino Rea and Dan Linfoot.
The season has been a success with Gino third and Dan fifth in the championship standings following three victories and five additional podiums in total. The results have also acted as a stepping stone to the riders for next season, with both securing high profile, career progressing rides for 2009.
Thank you for all of the emails, calls, texts and visits throughout the year. It has been much appreciated.
