Oulton Park in Cheshire was the venue for the third round of the MCE British Superbike Championship over the Bank Holiday weekend and it proved to be a strong meeting for the Quattro Plant Kawasaki team with two more top ten finishes for Howie Mainwaring-Smart accompanied by more points for class rookie Luke Mossey.

It was Aylesbury-based Mainwaring-Smart who fared best in qualifying, taking 12th on the grid for Monday’s opening 18-lap race whilst Mossey had to start a significant distance further back in 22nd after an electrical issue hindered his progress and it was the former who enjoyed the better fortunes.

The 28-year old immediately moved into the top ten when the race got underway and although he got pushed pack to 12th at mid-race distance, he regrouped well to claim a good ninth at the chequered flag. Luke, meanwhile, was running in 18th for much of the race only to run into the same problems that had affected him in qualifying in the closing stages and retire with four laps to go.

The second race was better for all concerned though and Howie was running comfortably inside the top ten throughout. Sixth in the early stages of the races, he did get pushed back to eighth but when race leaders Ryuichi Kiyonari and Shane Byrne crashed out with two laps to go he was elevated back to sixth and it was here where he finished for his fourth successive top ten finish.

The results have moved him up to ninth overall, just five points behind sixth placed Jason O’Halloran and it was a strong end to the weekend all round as Luke battled all the way to the end with proven race winners Chris Walker and Josh Waters to claim a good 13th place.

Howie Mainwaring-Smart: “It was one of my best qualifying performances of the season so I felt a bit unlucky to miss out on the top ten but the races went well for me and it was good to grab a decent haul of points again. I’m still learning each time I go out on the bike but the more top ten finishes we can get, the further we can progress as I’m riding with the right people. The team are working so hard and giving me a great bike but it really is tough this year as the lap times have moved on to a new level. I’m setting personal bests everywhere we go but I’m finding some good consistency now and am feeling fit and strong so we’ll keep chipping away.”

Luke Mossey: “It was a hard weekend as we had trouble with the bike all weekend so to finally have a trouble free run in the second race and get a solid finish under my belt and more points on the board was pleasing. The problems were no-ones fault at all and the team are doing a mega job whilst I’m also pleased with how I’m riding so I’ll work hard between now and the next round at Snetterton and look at climbing the results sheets there.”

Pete Extance, Team Owner: “Overall, it’s been a very pleasing weekend for Quattro Plant Kawasaki and both riders performed well throughout. Howie had another two excellent results and fought hard in both races to finish ninth and sixth so it’s good to see him finding some good, solid consistency. It bodes well and although it’s early days, he’s holding onto a good ninth overall and only a few points off that all important top six.”

“Luke had electrical issues for much of the weekend which left him with a poor grid position in race one and, unfortunately, the problems continued. However, he battled hard in the second race and was only four seconds adrift of Howie in sixth so it was good to see him finish so well and get more points on the board. The whole team has worked hard all weekend so many thanks to all of our sponsors, especially Quattro Plant, and we’ll now look forward to the North West 200 and TT.”

The team now turn their attentions to the International road racing season with James Hillier again contesting the North West 200 (May 12-16) and the Isle of Man TT Races (May 30-June 12th).

Pictures by Tim Keeton – Impact Images Photography.  Howie had an excellent weekend with two more top ten finishes.