Luke Jones aboard his KGD Racing Triumph took the race win and the Triumph Triple Challenge title during race one at Donington Park for round eight of the championship.

Having dominated the series, Jones just needed one point to clinch the title. He started from third on the grid but was into the lead by the exit of Redgate corner. His main rival and the man who could have stopped him taking the Championship was Peter Ward. A win for Ward would have kept the Championship chase alive for another race.

Ward, who is a test rider for Triumph, pushed hard to catch the Hereford rider. When the safety car came out on lap four due to an incident on track, it looked like it was playing into Ward’s hands. Jones had all the work to do again to try and gap him once the safety car pulled in.

Once Jones had settled back into the race he pulled away from Ward and came over the line with the win and the title firmly in his grasp. Ward finished second and South African Phil Atkinson took third place.

The HM Plant Honda team and rider Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne were on hand to congratulate Jones who has deputised for them this season in the Superstock 1000 class. He was also congratulated on his success by MSS Colchester Kawasaki.

Jones said: “That was great. I got a good start and lead if from the off. I had a good gap until the safety car came out and I just thought ‘typical!’ It took a while to get going again after the safety car and the wind wasn’t helping either, it was very blustery. I just wanted to bring it home.”

The second race of the weekend turned out to be a dramatic affair. Ashley Beech had a massive smash at Craner Curves with his AB Racing/T3 Racing Triumph ending up in two pieces. Luckily Beech was able to walk away. The race initially only ran for two laps and had to be red flagged due to rain. Jones had already gained a 4 secs lead so he was disappointed to have to re-start.

When the racing finally got underway it was Jones to jumped straight into the lead leaving pole sitter Tommy Dale chasing him down. The real battle was for third place with Atkinson, Ward and Freddie Pett swapping places and paint work.

Once Pett and Ward had dispensed with Atkinson the fight was on for third place with Ward coming over the line just 0.133secs clear of Pett to consolidate his second place in the Championship.

Even with the title wrapped up Jones was still the man to beat, and is looking forward to 2012 when he will race in the Supersport Cup Championship for T3 Racing as his prize for winning the Triumph Triple Challenge.

Jones said: “In the first part of the race I got a good start and I was surprised to see a 4secs lead but I thought I could just manage the race from there. Then the rain started and I had a few dodgy moments. Once we re-started I thought I’d have a battle with Tommy Dale but it didn’t happen so I just kept it smooth  to bring it home. I didn’t see Ash’s crash but I was gutted not to be racing against him, I’m glad he wasn’t hurt.”

Dale said: “It was a good race and I was pleased about the re-start as I’d clipped Phil Atkinson at Craner Curves and that had dropped me back a bit. We re-started on the original grid so I was back in pole position. Luke just pulled the pin and I did try to stay with him but the gap was going up so I decided to settle for second place. Thanks to my Dad, Power2Connect and 11kV Ltd for their help.”

Ward said: “I was just doing what I needed to keep second in the Championship.”