Malcolm Ashley takes the lead in Superbike Cup

Raceline Photography
By Stuart Williams
April 11 2006

M.A.R. rider Malcolm Ashley has taken an early lead in the Superbike Cup, following two podium finishes and a top ten outright result in the second race at a rain-soaked Donington Park.

Ashley, who doubles as the M.A.R. team boss, continued his run of form at the Leicestershire circuit - after his short-lived retirement from racing, as a result of regular M.A.R. rider Michael Howarth breaking his ankle just prior to the start of the season.

Having qualified fifth fastest of the Cup runners in the British Superbike Championship, he avoided the early race one pile-up, which saw five riders go down on the first corner, and enjoyed a battle with Vivaldi Racing’s Ollie Bridewell towards the end of the shortened race, which had some atrocious weather.

In the second race the rain, wind and occasional hailstorms continued, with Ashley getting off to a good start and then gradually picking off riders as the race progressed. By the sixth lap he was in an overall points scoring position, and he ploughed on through the rain to finish in the top ten overall, and second in the Superbike Cup. Speaking after race two, Ashley said that he had never anticipated being in a position where he would be leading the 2006 Superbike Cup.

“I didn’t think I would be actively competing this year, let alone leading the Superbike Cup after two rounds. Picking up a top ten overall finish has been a real bonus as well, and I’m just really pleased to be in this position for both the team and the sponsors.”

In the National Superstock Championship, M.A.R. rider Paul Shoesmith struggled in qualifying, which saw an amazing 55 riders take to circuit. In the end Shoesmith missed out on a spot on the grid for the Sunday race by less than three tenths of a second. Although disappointed Shoesmith vowed to come out fighting at Thruxton this weekend.

“Every championship within the British Superbike programme is now intensely competitive. Superstock is no exception, and with more than fifty riders fighting for one of forty spots on the grid, it’s going to be tough. Missing out on the cut by such a small margin is tough to take, but I’ve just got to dig in and pull out all stops at Thruxton.”

More than fifty riders are now also contesting the Superstock Cup, and M.A.R. rider Richard Marchant continues his new circuit baptism of fire having made his first trip to the famous Donington Park circuit. Once again with more riders than grid slots the pressure was on, and early signs suggested Marchant might make the top forty after the first qualifying. The pace though ratcheted up a notch in the late afternoon outing, and unfortunately Marchant didn’t quite get a good enough time.

Chalking the result up to experience Marchant was quick to put the result behind him and look forward to the next round. “Like just about everywhere else it was my first time out at Donington, and it was a real buzz. The circuit and facilities are great, and I can’t wait to come back next year. It’s a place where experience counts though, and on the day I didn’t quite get there.”