Kirkham rides to first BSB victory at Croft
Added on Monday, May 16th, 2011 by Carole Nash Editor
Kirkham rides to first BSB victory at Croft
Jon Kirkham rode to his first victory yesterday, battling from 16th on the grid to the podium at Croft, and has admitted that it was the scariest race of his life.
The Samsung Crescent Suzuki rider had a problematic qualifying but managed to beat his teammate Jon Hopkins and former champion Shane Byrne to the top of the podium.
The race was delayed due to rain, leaving riders with a gamble on tyre selection. There were several last minute changes on the grid, due to the change in weather. Swan Yamaha riders Tommy Hill and Michael Laverty and Kiyonari opted for full wets, meanwhile Shakey, Michael Rutter and Mason went for dry Pirelli Diablo Superbike ‘slicks’. Kirkham chose an intermediate front and slick rear.
Byrne’s engine blew out in the eighth lap and Kirkham rode through the ranks to overtake Mason and then charging past Hopkins, with seven laps remaining. He won the race by almost 3 seconds.
The 26-year-old rider said: “I honestly can’t believe it. That was the scariest race of my life in terms of deciding on tyres and the changing conditions but what a race.
“This was a fantastic result, as we had such a hard start to the weekend, missing a lot of time.”
“I was looking to continue on a roll from Oulton Park but having missed the first free practice with a fuel line issue it was instead catch-up in the second practice,”
“Then we got hit with electrical problems in the morning so I missed the final practice as well.
“Having ridden so few laps I was on the back-foot in qualifying. I made it through the first qualifier but couldn’t make it to the final.
“I knew I had a lot of work to do but in both previous meetings so far this season I’ve raced better than I’ve qualified.”
Unfortunately, due to a minor incident with Michael Laverty on the first lap of the second race, Kirkham’s dreams of a double victory were dashed, and he was forced to sit out the race with a damaged hand.
