The two Zoek Racing riders Sean Neary and Craig Currie were at Silverstone for the penultimate round of the Ducati Performance TriOptions Cup resulting in four good results for the team.

Neary from Lymm in Cheshire was running in the top four throughout free practice and qualifying and despite a crash in the dying seconds of qualifying he put the Zoek Racing on the front row in third position for the start of race one.

He said: “I am happy enough with third in a very wet qualifying session. I was unfortunate to crash on my last lap and although I am ok the bike is a bit poorly. I am so sorry for the lads who have a lot of work to do on the bike in preparation for the first race tomorrow but we should be good to go. Thanks to Maxton for helping get our wet settings sorted.”

As the lights went out for the start of the first race Neary got a good start and was first away but Joe Collier was quick to overtake him on lap two. But it was all in vain as the rain started and the race was red flagged. At the restart over five laps in wet conditions Neary slotted into third place but was demoted to fifth on lap two. He was briefly passed by David Ferns and Sam Middlemas but Ferns retired and Neary was able to overtake Middlemas on the penultimate lap to cross the finish line in fifth place to pick up 11 championship points.

He said: “It was not the best of finishes in fifth place. I started well chasing Joe but then the rain came and the race was stopped. In the wet restart we just couldn’t get the bike to do what we wanted so had to just salvage some points. Thanks to the Zoek Racing boys for all their hard work rebuilding the bike after my crash in qualifying.”

Starting the second race from the front row of the grid in second place, Neary got the hole shot into the first corner and led the race for the first two laps before being overtaken by new champion Joe Collier. Although he was matching Collier’s times for most of the race he couldn’t find a way past him and the pair pulled clear of the pursuing pack to cross the finish line some eight seconds ahead with Neary finishing in a fine second place to pick up 20 championship points to take his total to 161 and move up to fourth in the rider standings. The final round is at Assen on October 1,

He said: “I really tried for the win but wasn't to be. Still I am happy enough with P2. So grateful to the Zoek Racing Team who worked so hard after I crashed on Friday. I have a good bit of bruising but that serves me right for pushing in qualifying when I didn't need to; also thanks to all the sponsors and Craig Currie for helping to salvage the season.

Meanwhile Newark Racer Craig Currie was making a return to racing following his withdrawal from the last round at Thruxton with a recurring shoulder injury. Although still very sore Currie decided to complete qualifying and if he felt ok was to race. He qualified for a sixth row start to the first race and was running in 24th place when the race was red flagged for rain. At the restart the wet conditions suited Currie as the pace would not be so hot and he completed the five lap dash in a commendable 17th place.

Starting the second race from the eighth row Currie got an amazing start, moving through from 24th to 17th on the first lap. He then moved up the field as far as 13th before fading slightly to complete the race in 16th place, just outside a point scoring position. He is now in 11th place in the rider standings on 52 points with one round remaining at Assen on October 1.

Race report by Zoek racnig.

Photo courtesy of Dave Neary