Dean Moor - Race Reports by Ryan Voase
The second round of the Kawasaki Masters Championship took place at Dean Moor on April 18 and 19. In perfect sunny conditions, the rolling hills and Lake District setting of the undulating and technical track, were set to witness some spectacular racing.
Saturdays opening races saw round one winner, the so far dominant Paul Smith, take a brace of wins. James Shaw figured highly too with a podium visiting second in race one, followed up by a fighting fifth in the second race of the day. Mathew Williamson improved his points tally with a second and sixth, while Daniel Parker took two third places with his spirited and precise riding technique.
Sunday dawned with competitors wondering if the Championship dominance of Paul Smith would continue. With tension building, the crowd were as eager as the riders themselves to see how this crucial race would unfold.
Paul Neale grabbed the lead out of the gate with Smith in hot pursuit and soon the two were battling in a race of their own. With just two laps to go, Smith took over at the front only to be thwarted by a determined Neale who took his first Kawasaki Masters win. Smith ended a close second and James Shaw claimed the last podium place.
An early race mistake saw “Mr Consistency”, Daniel Parker, take the flag for forth followed by Mathew Williamson in fifth despite riding for half the race on a flat rear tyre!
Race two burst from the starting gate with James Shaw talking the holeshot closely followed by Neale and Smith. As before, it became a two way battle at the front as Neale slipped off and left Shaw battling with Smith for honours.
By half way Smith had made the lead his own and it looked like the Sheffield based rider would be on the top step once more. Then, after an uncharacteristic mistake, Smith tumbled with just two laps left and Shaw pushed through for his first win and the overall win for the weekend.
Smith remounted a rode hard to finish 13th making him second overall and Mathew Williamson stood on the third step of the podium for the last race and the weekend overall.
Quotes:
James Shaw: – "After victory on race one: I am really pleased to finally get the win, it was tough, my hands were sore, but all that’s forgotten now I have won!”
Paul Smith: "I had another good day. I lost the front end in that last race which cost me the overall win."
Mathew Williamson: "I rode from lap two in the first race on Sunday with a flat tyre and still got as fifth, I have to be happy with that”
Paul Neale: "I injured my wrist on the Saturday but when I stated to lead the race the adrenaline kicked in and I held on for the win, what a great race!"
The second round of the Kawasaki Masters Championship took place at Dean Moor on April 18 and 19. In perfect sunny conditions, the rolling hills and Lake District setting of the undulating and technical track, were set to witness some spectacular racing.
Saturdays opening races saw round one winner, the so far dominant Paul Smith, take a brace of wins. James Shaw figured highly too with a podium visiting second in race one, followed up by a fighting fifth in the second race of the day. Mathew Williamson improved his points tally with a second and sixth, while Daniel Parker took two third places with his spirited and precise riding technique.
Sunday dawned with competitors wondering if the Championship dominance of Paul Smith would continue. With tension building, the crowd were as eager as the riders themselves to see how this crucial race would unfold.
Paul Neale grabbed the lead out of the gate with Smith in hot pursuit and soon the two were battling in a race of their own. With just two laps to go, Smith took over at the front only to be thwarted by a determined Neale who took his first Kawasaki Masters win. Smith ended a close second and James Shaw claimed the last podium place.
An early race mistake saw “Mr Consistency”, Daniel Parker, take the flag for forth followed by Mathew Williamson in fifth despite riding for half the race on a flat rear tyre!
Race two burst from the starting gate with James Shaw talking the holeshot closely followed by Neale and Smith. As before, it became a two way battle at the front as Neale slipped off and left Shaw battling with Smith for honours.
By half way Smith had made the lead his own and it looked like the Sheffield based rider would be on the top step once more. Then, after an uncharacteristic mistake, Smith tumbled with just two laps left and Shaw pushed through for his first win and the overall win for the weekend.
Smith remounted a rode hard to finish 13th making him second overall and Mathew Williamson stood on the third step of the podium for the last race and the weekend overall.
Quotes:
James Shaw: – "After victory on race one: I am really pleased to finally get the win, it was tough, my hands were sore, but all that’s forgotten now I have won!”
Paul Smith: "I had another good day. I lost the front end in that last race which cost me the overall win."
Mathew Williamson: "I rode from lap two in the first race on Sunday with a flat tyre and still got as fifth, I have to be happy with that”
Paul Neale: "I injured my wrist on the Saturday but when I stated to lead the race the adrenaline kicked in and I held on for the win, what a great race!"
