Stanley Gamble took a hard fought win at the tenthth round of the ACU Suzuki GSX-R Trophy at Brands Hatch in Kent on Sunday and now has a 41 point lead in the Championship over second-placed man Ritchie Thornton.
Thornton grabbed second at the Kent track and the final step of the podium went to Taryn Skinner who was very much the surprise package of the weekend, grabbing a front-row start a podium finish and picking up the Express Insurance Top Gun Cash Award for his achievements.
Off the line it was pole sitter Birch who took the lead with Chris Hawkes and Gamble giving chase. Unfortunately for Birch he went wide at Hailwood and allowed Hawkes to take the lead. Gamble then made a move on him at Surtees which saw Birch go wide and rejoin the action in last position.
Hawkes was now leading from Gamble with a huge battle on for third place between Skinner, Marcus Woodbine, Ross “Rossi” Richards, and Ritchie Thornton. Gamble decided to play a waiting game and followed Hawkes until lap 17 when he passed him at Surtees. Hawkes had the worst of luck crashing out of the race and the points on the final lap at Druids.
Birch worked his way from last to 11th place until he had a big off at Paddock Hill Bend. Lewis Maku raced with a broken foot and although he finished last he worked hard all weekend and did a good job of keeping out of the leader’s way. For his efforts he received the Relentless Rider of the Day award.
Gamble just needs another 10 points to secure the ACU Suzuki GSX-R Trophy title. The final two rounds of the GSX-R Trophy will take place on the 18th-19th October at Pembrey in Wales.
Race result:
1: Stanley Gamble
2: Ritchie Thornton
3: Taryn Skinner
4: Marcus Woodbine
5: Ross Richards
6: William Bergin
7: Adam Foster
8: Paul Rogers
9: Colt Dwyer
10: Christian Clark
Championship Standings:
1: Stanley Gamble 186
2: Ritchie Thornton 145
3: Chris Hawkes 135
4: Ross Richards 131
5: Joe Moore 102
6: Adam Foster 90
7: Rogerio Lacerda 74
8: Colt Dwyer 62
9: Michael Birch 60
10: Taryn Skinner 55
