Formation ride for podium three
The brilliant sunshine, and clear blue skies over the Culham Moto Park in Oxfordshire, made way for the soft glow of early evening as race four of the 2009 Kawasaki Masters Championship got underway.
The start gate was soon straining under the combined power of over 30 Kawasaki KX250F machines. The gate dropped and the riders roared up Culham’s start hill, into turn one and round with no fallers.
As the ochre coloured mist of dust cleared, the familiar sight of Paul Smith leading the pack was followed by Gloucestershire rider Paul Neale, and an equally determined James Shaw.
Behind them, Bradley Lofthouse did not get the best of starts in eighth, but took advantage of a strong surge in lap two and moved up four places to forth, where he would finally finish the race.
Conditions took their toll however, with lap time averages increasing as the ruts robbed precious seconds. Holding station, Smith, Neale and Shaw rode in formation throughout the nine lap race always charging hard but never able to get the better of each other.
At race end it was indeed Smith who crossed the line first, from Neale and then Shaw to complete a fantastic weekend’s racing for the Kawasaki KX250F riders.
“It was harder to lap quick out there this time”, admitted Smith after the race. “I had a good time this weekend, I pushed hard and its great for me and the guys from Sandbach Scrap Metal and Disease clothing… let’s see what happens next!”
Second place Paul Neale was equally happy with his results and pleased to be able to analyse Smith’s riding technique first hand.
“I was behind Paul for a while just watching his lines and trying to match his times”, said an exhausted post race Neale. “I am better on hard packed tracks so my performance at Culham has been a real bonus”.
Third place James Shaw illustrated the highly competitive nature of the Championship when asked for his thoughts about a creditable third place. “OK, but not happy, I’ll only be happy when I win!”.
