J W Racing/JT Performance’s James Westmoreland followed up his pole position with his first race win of the season in a crash fest race at the eighth round of the Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport Championship at Brands Hatch.
After they settled down and started the second lap it was Ben Wilson of Gearlink Kawasaki who led the race followed very closely by the returning Dan Linfoot of Node 4 Yamaha and second Gearlink Kawasaki rider Chris Martin.
Billy McConnell of MAP Raceways Yamaha was down the order in sixth with current championship leader Steve Plater of H M Plant Honda even further behind.  Even though Westmoreland started from pole he seem to temporarily fall down the order before giving a full on attack to eventually take the win.
On the first lap Marty Nutt of Nutt Travel.com/T&G suffered a huge highside mid pack on Cooper straight and was amazingly avoided by other riders.  As the race continued Linfoot moved into the lead on lap three aiming to return in style which he held until lap eight when Westmoreland moved into position.
Lap seven started saw Plater kick up a gear to progress up through the grid as the front riders held each other up with various attacks.  Linfoot’s race started to go wrong as he slipped down to fifth place.
It was on lap ten that the safety car came out due a shocking crash involving Chris Martin which saw his bike hit the barrier of which the rider was thrown over before hitting the ground hard.  The rider was conscious and moving, but full injuries are unknown at present.
The racing continued on lap 14, but after losing a comfortable lead Westmoreland was immediately under pressure from Plater.  Whilst he was looking to make a move Wilson moved up to second.  McConnell also moved up the grid to sit behind Plater who he needed to gain points on him for the championship.
Linfoot’s return didn’t go as he planned as he then high sided on Cooper straight probably due to cold tyres, he was able to walk away after visibly fisting the floor in disappointment and frustration.
It was a last lap finale with McConnell diving in front of Plater at Hawthorns and even though Plater tried to regain the position McConnell shut the door and finished a mere 0.205s ahead gaining points back from Plater in the championship standings.
Sam Lowes of Astro Racing Honda had a strong race to finish seventh overall and first in the cup championship.  Robbie Brown’s weekend turned around for the better to finish just outside the top ten in 11th position taking the second cup podium position ahead of Dean Hipwell of Atherton Godfrey solicitors who’s season now seems to be coming together for the better.