Kawasaki Masters Championship

Top Ten Results - Pontrilas - Round 3

Pos_Points___Name

1___224_____Paul Smith

2___ 215____Paul Neale

3___ 188____James Shaw / Matthew Williamson

5___ 181____Daniel Parker

6 ___174____David Anthony

7___158____Dean Simes

8___146____Edward Briscoe

9___136____Sam Mitchell

10__ 132____Joe Harper

Kawasaki Masters - Round 3

Pontrilas - Race Report by Ryan Voase

The third round of the 2009 Kawasaki Masters took place on May 9 and 10 on the well known Pontrilas facility on the Welsh borders. With the track in perfect shape and the sun was beaming down, the AMCA officials and volunteers had obviously done an excellent job and the scene was set for a great weekend’s racing.

On Saturday there was no holding Paul Neale back and the Gloucestershire rider put in a blistering qualifying lap two seconds faster than the rest of the field. From that moment on everyone knew they would have their work cut out to try and catch him when the gate dropped and racing proper began.

In the first race, and true to form, Neale took the win ahead of fast starting James Shaw and championship leader Paul Smith taking third. Race two saw Smith put it back on the top step with a win from Neale and young Matthew Williamson taking third.

Sunday, and it was all to play for with Smith and Neale having a win each and then Williamson, Shaw and Parker all in the hunt for their first win of the Championship too.

The gate dropped and it was disaster for Paul Neale who got stuck in the gate and was dead last away, while at the front it was James Shaw with a two second lead over the always hard charging Paul Smith.

It stayed like this for five laps then Smith made the decisive move holding on for the win with Shaw second and a brilliant battle for third with Matthew Williamson passing
Daniel Parker right in the dying moments of the race. Paul Neale meanwhile had a gritty ride from last to seventh after finally getting his bike out the gate.

The second race on Sunday wines no gate problems for Paul Neale who was in the lead at the end of the first lap with Smith all over his back wheel. For five laps there was nothing in it and the large crowd was able to witness the KX250F machines and riders giving their best.

Suddenly Smith slowed and Neale took a easy win matched by a great ride from Daniel Parker to take an impressive third. The event overall again went to Smith who extends his championship lead. Second place man for the third round was Paul Neale and third went to young talent Matthew Williamson

PAUL SMITH "I am happy with this round to be honest. I had a shoulder injury today and couldn’t feel my hand at the end of the races so to take the win is great"

PAUL NEALE " It’s been a great weekend for me its the best I’ve ridden all series… it’s just a shame I hit the gate"

MATTHEW WILLIAMSON "It’s always good to get on the podium. I rode well and just need to find my speed earlier in the race to make a bigger difference at the end. Overall though, I’m happy"