After Richard Cooper's astounding performance at Mallory Park, Team Co-ordit returned to the task at hand and secured another top four finish, at the eighth round of the 2009 Metzeler National Superstock Championship at Brands Hatch GP circuit (9 August).

With an almost carnival atmosphere at the Kent circuit, Cooper took time to join in the
celebrations pre-race with a few demonstration laps of the asphalt onboard a BMW S1000R alongside BMW's World Superbike star Troy Corser.

With blisteringly hot temperatures greeting the bumper crowd at Brands Hatch, Richard Cooper lined up on the grid in P3 in auspicious company. The Nottingham based rider's Yamaha YZF-R1 was sandwiched between the two Padgetts Hondas of TT legend John McGuinness and reigning Superstock Champion Steve Brogan. Champion elect, Alastair Seeley launched his Suzuki from pole position in what would be another dominating performance to maintain his 100% record of race wins this season.

Seeley broke clear as early as the second lap, and Cooper became embroiled in a tough battle for second with the three Hondas of McGuinness, Brogan and Jenkinson. The quartet continually swapped positions over the opening four laps with a series of deft overtaking manoeuvres. A Dan Stewart crash at the fast Hawthorn corner signaled a halt to the race with the waving of the red flag - a sight that had become far too regular throughout the weekend.

A quick restart of a reduced 12 lap race ensued. Cooper made another strong start, reigniting the battle with the same three Honda protagonists. Seeley once again took a firm hold over proceedings, determined not to let his first part lead slip. Cooper put his head down, his fastest lap of the race (1:30.099s) on the second circulation only just shy of his qualifying time. As the race headed towards the all-important final third, Cooper looked to be in a strong position to challenge for a podium slot over the closing laps. Cruelly for Cooper, another podium on his return to Brands Hatch would not be realised as a Danny Brill spill at Clearways saw the deployment of the red flag for the second time. Cooper's podium challenge was brought to an abrupt end but with another valuable 13 points added to his season's tally.

Conversely, teammate Bruce Wilson was forced to pull out early from the race due to a loose fairing clip on lap 4. The Lincolnshire based rider had improved his lap times throughout the weekend and looked confident on fighting towards a top 15 position. Bruce will be fired up to make amends at his home round in three weeks time.

Team Co-ordit's David Hallett made the switch to the Metzeler National Superstock 600 Series for his home round. Still recovering from injury, Hallett qualified for Sunday's 14 lap race before high-siding out of Graham Hill Bend on his cool down lap. Unfortunately for Hallett, the crash not only aggravated his existing ankle injury but also caused David to leave the circuit on Saturday night with a bruised liver. Unable to take his grid position on Sunday, David will now have a few weeks to recover ahead of Cadwell Park.
Round 9 takes place at Cadwell Park (Lincolnshire) over the August Bank Holiday weekend (29-31).

Richard Cooper: "We've been strong all weekend, and although this was still a good result I still feel a little robbed with the second red flag. I made a couple of mistakes in the race but was still in a strong position to take the podium position that the team deserved."

Pete Bradshaw: "It's been a good weekend again, and we're still all on a high after the successes at Mallory Park. A bit of a disappointment for David who injured himself in a crash during Qualifying on Saturday. Hopefully he will be back for Cadwell. Bruce had been steadily improving all weekend so it was a real shame that a small technical problem with the bodywork forced him out of the race at such an early stage, but he'll be fired up for his home race a Cadwell. With Richard's continued run of strong results, and the success of the NGRRC and New Era Co-ordit Performance Relay Championships, we're building a great foundation to take us into next season. I'd like to thank all of Team Co-ordit's sponsors and partners for their support throughout this season, and as with Freemans, I look forward to growing the relationships in 2010."

Metzeler National Superstock 1000 Championship

Result:

1. Seeley, 2. Brogan, 3. McGuinness, 4. COOPER, 5. Jenkinson, DNF WILSON

Championship Points:

1. Seeley - 200, 2. Brogan - 147, 3. COOPER - 101, 4. McGuinness - 83, 5. Quigley - 81

WWW.TEAMCO-ORDIT.COM



Images by Clive Challinor