Mixed fortunes sees Beowulf start third at Thruxton
19-04-2008
2008 British Supersport Cup Rd 01
19th April, Thruxton
Combined Qualifying Result
Beowulf Racing's Pat McDougall (Yamaha) has qualified in third position at Thruxton today for Sunday's 18-lap British Supersport Cup race but believes had it not been for adverse weather conditions and frequent stoppages to the afternoon session he could have performed even better. The Guildford rider's time of 1:23.994 will see him line up in 22nd position on the main British Supersport Championship grid.
The Supersport Cup is a "race within a race" for the 16 privateer entrants who receive no direct manufacturer support or assistance in the main 46-rider strong British Supersport Championship.
The day started well for the 22-year-old ace. During the 40-minute opening Qualifying session this morning, McDougall's lap of 1:25.101 saw him at the top of the Cup standings and in 20th position overall.
Although hit by damp and dismal weather conditions, the afternoon session seemed to hold even more promise for the Guildford rider - with 10 minutes to go, Pat was lying in 12th place overall. Sadly though, the session was stopped three times for fallen riders and although a dry line finally appeared around the 2.4-mile circuit, it did not prove to be to McDougall's advantage. Running on a fresh set of intermediate tyres in the final outing, Pat saw himself drop down the rankings to 22nd place overall by the time the chequered flag came out.
"The session this afternoon was a difficult one, for sure" said McDougall afterwards. "We lost a lot of time in the early stages changing tyres and reversing some of the suspension changes we made after this morning's outing. But it all came together towards the end and I was hoping to hold on to my twelfth place. The red flag came out again, and with the track starting to dry we made another tyre switch to intermediates. Sadly we chose the wrong compound and I slipped back from 12th to 22nd which I'm not happy about but with so many tyres to choose from situations like this are always tricky and I tried my best. Despite all the setbacks, I'm looking forward to tomorrow's race. We're third in the Cup and ahead of some of the factory riders. I'll try and make up a few places off the start and then we'll see how things turn out."
Sunday’s 18-lap race is set to start at 2.35pm.
2008 BRITISH SUPERSPORT CUP
FINAL QUALIFYING POSITIONS
1. Matthew Whitman (Honda) - 1:22.610
2. Craig Fitzpatrick (Yamaha) – 1:22.993
3. Pat McDougall (Yamaha) – 1:23.994
2008 BRITISH SUPERSPORT CHAMPIONSHIP
FINAL QUALIFYING POSITIONS
1. Glen Richards (Triumph) – 1.221.428
2. Steve Brogan (Honda) - 1:21.768
3. Aaron Walker (Honda) - 1:21.912
22. Pat McDougall (Yamaha) – 1:23.994
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.
