Dukes
Race Calendar 2009Seton 09 line upMz Experience 09WSB R1 Philip IslandWSS R1 Philip IslandBMCRC/MRO Brands 080309Seton Tuning Brands MROCenturion look strongCrescent Suzuki AlmeriaTeam Co-Ordit 09Sy Langford BrandsWSB R2 QatarYPM Snett 290309YPM Snett 290309BSB R1 Brands IndyKennaugh 4th at BrandsYART win Le MansSolid Brands FitzpatrickOlivers Mount - Ian Watson CupWSB R3 AssenBSB R2 Oulton ParkBSS R2 Oulton ParkBSB Brands GP 090809Kennaugh leaves Linxcel Seton YamahaCooper thwarted at BrandsCenturion suffer at BrandsBMCRC/MRO Brands GPYPM Brands 260709Sy Langford Brands SuperstockFitz on song at BrandsBSB Cadwell ParkLinxcel Seton CadwellCenturion Honda CadwellCo-ordit Lowes loves Cadwell Langford CadwellBSB R10 CroftSupersport R10 Croft Centurion Progress at CroftTesting time at Croft for Co-OrditLinxcel Seton suffer at CroftOlivers Mount Gold Cup 200909BSB R11 SilverstoneSuccess for Coordit at SilverstoneSolid Silverstone for CenturionBetter w/e for Linxcel Seton at SilverstoneMRO Brands Weymouth podiumLangford - Silverstone SuperstocksYPM Brands 260909BSB Last Rd Oulton ParkLowes takes BSS Cup for Co-orditSolid end for Centurion at OultonBrignola wins Italian CIV3 points for Webb & Linxcel SetonWSB Portimao Spies winsYPM Lydden Hill 01-11-09Rangis YPM @ LyddenMotoGP Rossi top in test

Fitz on song at Brands

Fitzpatrick Comes Back Strong at Brands 09-08-09

Craig Fitzpatrick made a strong return to the British Supersport Championship as he finished in a strong 6th place at Brands Hatch. The Alfreton based race ace, who missed the last round due to insufficient finances, was determined give a strong showing.

Friday morning's free practice session was damp and was heavily delayed due to poor visibility. When the session did resume, Fitzpatrick decided that there was nothing to be gained given the conditions and chose not to turn a wheel.

After the second free practice session, Fitzpatrick admitted to feeling 'rusty' having not raced for 5 weeks. As he worked on improving his set-up, Fitzpatrick got 20 laps under his belt, the fastest of which was good enough for 11th fastest in the session.

In glorious sunshine on Saturday, Fitzpatrick continued to make progress. Although struggling with some slight front end problems, Fitzpatrick went 9th quickest in the first session. Improving during the afternoon, Fitzpatrick again posted the 9th best time, but only came out 11th on combined time.

Fitzpatrick got off the line well and made up a couple of places on the first lap. Even after just one lap, the front nine riders had begun to open up a gap on the rest of the field. Fitzpatrick sat on the back of the lead group until lap five, when he passed Ian Hutchinson for 8th. As he remained firmly in touch with the leaders, Fitzpatrick began to open up a gap on Hutchinson. On lap 10, Chris Martin crashed out, bringing out the safety car and promoting Fitzpatrick to 7th. Three laps behind the safety car enabled all the riders behind to close the gap.

After the safety car had peeled off, Dan Linfoot and Dan Cooper both crashed out whilst running 5th, but Fitzpatrick had lost places to Hutchinson and Sam Lowes and remained 7th . In the closing laps, Fitzpatrick was able to force his way back passed Lowes, but Hutchison finished strongly and left Fitzpatrick to take the flag in 6th.

Fitzpatrick lies tenth in the championship standings and aims to be back in action at the next round at Cadwell Park.


Championship Standings:

1. Steve Plater 125

2. Billy McConnell 118

3. Ben Wilson 105

4. James Westmoreland 97


5. Dan Cooper 81

10. Craig Fitzpatrick 42



words Sam Farrington
Pix - www.moto-media.co.uk


RSS