Quattro Plant Kawasaki’s Howie Mainwaring clinched his maiden MCE British Superbike win at a wet Brands Hatch circuit this afternoon. It has been a long time coming for the tall haired rider, and he hasn’t had the best of year's, with him sustaining a nasty shoulder injury right at the beginning of the season.
But things have now clicked for the rider, who lives only a few miles away from the track, and he has been racking up some positive results lately. He set the fastest time in the opening free practice session yesterday and was setting consistently quick lap times today.
He has described this victory as ‘emotional’ and hopes that this win will make other teams sit up and take notice, as he is still without a ride for 2015.
“I feel pretty emotional to be honest, and it has been a long time coming, but not just for me but the team as well who has stuck by me through thick and thin, especially with my shoulder injury,” said Mainwaring, speaking to bikesportnews.com from the track.
“But I want to thank my sponsors too, but to achieve this win in Superbikes is my ultimate goal and to do this at my adoptive track is great too, especially with all my family and friends here.
“I always feel sick before the race and I start doubting myself, but I should believe in myself more. But I had some great advice from Alex Lowes and Glen Richards and they said leave it for three laps and then start to go for it – and that is the best advice they could give me, as it worked.
“We planned not to do anything silly and it all fell in to place and it started to work and we were quicker than everyone else. I don’t have a ride for next year, but before this weekend I was a bit of an underdog but to come here and top the timesheets, and have a good qualifying, and then win - I hope puts me on the map for some teams."
