WSS, Northpoint Honda Racing do themselves proud!

World Supersport
By Carly Rathmell
August 10 2005

7th August 2005: Once again Northpoint Honda Racing’s Craig Jones and Cal Crutchlow proved they are a force to be reckoned with, gaining a fantastic eighth and tenth place, respectively, in the World Supersport round at Brands Hatch Circuit, Kent.

The two, who are also backed by Nokia N-Gage, proved that they could run with the world’s best riders, and that they can compete admirably on the world stage.

In baking hot temperatures in front of an estimated 80,000 people, 20-year-old Jones and 19-year-old Crutchlow wowed the crowd. After a disappointing qualifying session, in which Jones ended up 12th, with Crutchlow 16th on the grid, they left themselves with a tough task on their hands - but a challenge that they were prepared to live up to.

Jones, who got a blinding start and was up to third by the second corner, fighting off world contenders Kevin Curtain and Stéphane Chambon, led a six bike battle for the position. He was looking strong and confident for the 23-lap race when the pace of the World Supersport riders got the better of him as his tyres began to wear. With four previous World Champions and Sébastien Charpentier, who is looking set to take the title this year, among the seven position ahead of him, finishing eighth is an extremely creditable position for Jones.

Commenting, the rider from Peterborough said, “It’s been a tough weekend and I didn’t gain the qualifying position that I would have hoped for, and left myself with a fairly big task on my hands. The quality of rider and bike in the World Supersport series is fantastic, and once again it was a great opportunity to race amongst them. Obviously I would have liked a better result, but I am happy with where I finished. We have managed to gain a good set up for the bike for when we go to Brands GP circuit for the last round of the British Supersport series in October.”

Crutchlow also gained a fantastic start and was up to 12th into the first corner. Settling into a rhythm, the still injured Crutchlow put on a brave fight to clinch a top ten finish. Locked in an intense 12-wheeler battle, the youngster from Coventry certainly demonstrated considerable skill and talent.

Speaking with Cal, he said, “I had an operation three weeks ago on my damaged right arm, my throttle arm, and this was the first time back on a bike since then. It was a fairly big operation as I was suffering with horrendous arm-pump after losing the use of my bicep muscle at Croft. It was a difficult race and very physically demanding. I’m extremely happy with the result. It was a great learning experience for me and the team, and we have taken a lot away from the weekend.”

Northpoint Honda’s next outing is at the British Supersport round at Silverstone Circuit, on the 21st August.