Luxton and DLR on the top step!

Despite an initial hiccough in wet weather, Ben soon found a dominant pace on the J.R. Performance Racing ZX-6R. In a wet FP1, Ben ultimately placed P4 in 1m49.881s after a departure from the track necessitating repair-work. He improved matters in a dry FP2, placing P4 in 1m35.402s, then hit his stride to qualify P1 with a personal best time of 1m33.968s. Wet weather disrupted race day but eased for long enough to give the Superstock 600 field a dry race. Ben started well and remained dominant despite a red flag, finishing P1 with a best lap of 1m34.577s.

Ben takes 25 points from Nottinghamshire and remains fifth on the series leader-board with 134 points. While series leader Shane Richardson looks secure with 160 points, only seven points separate the riders in the second to fifth-place range.

“It’s all working really well with JR Performance Racing,” said Ben. “We couldn’t be in a better place. FP1 was good until half-way when I went down and gave the boys some repair work to do. FP2 was dry but there had been loads of rain, no rubber had been put down and it was very greasy. By the time qualifying came around, a few bikes had gone out and put rubber down. I found the pace and qualified P1 with a personal best time. This left me feeling confident to race in any weather.

“On race day, it had rained overnight and there had been some showers in the lead-up. The sun came out just before the race and dried the track enough for a full-dry set-up. I managed a good start, got my head down and broke away.

“Then on Lap 4, the safety car came out and I thought maybe the win just wasn’t meant to be. I took a look behind and weighed up my options. I backed the field up into the last corner then got a good drive when the safety car went in. I got my head down again and ultimately crossed the line P1 with a 3s gap.

“I felt quite relaxed during the race. I could see the gap on the pit-board getting bigger and bigger. I found a good rhythm and pace. If I’d been pushed harder, I felt I had more in the tank. I felt in control. There’s a very close bunch at the top of the points table going into the final round. It’s very possible for me to climb a few places and I’m feeling very confident about Brands Hatch.

“Big thanks to Joe and the whole J.R. Performance Racing Kawasaki team for all of their efforts. It was perfect this weekend. Thanks also to Paul Rogers and DLR Transport, and Luke Rogers, OMG Racing UK, Cool Milk, Knox Armour and 4SR.”

Photo courtesy of Ben Luxton Racing