MOTORSPORT: SOLIHULL racer Liam Delves secured a podium place for the first time in the 2021 Pirelli National Junior Superstock Championship but was left wondering what might have been.
Delves was sittiing third and well-placed for the win at Thruxton in round four on Sunday when the race was stopped with one lap remaining.
“We managed to come away with a third place on the JR Performance Kawasaki ZX6r636 but unfortunately the dreaded red flag came out with just one lap to go,” said Delves.
“I was planning on making the pass at the Club chicane on the last lap but my plans fell foul to the flag. But I was happy to take my first podium of the 2021 season and must give a big thank you to all my team for turning out a mega bike and all for their hard work this weekend, Also all my sponsors for keeping me out on track and all my friends, family and followers for their continued support.”
Free practice and qualifying went well for the 21-year-old rider who secured a front row grid position as second fastest rider. Then in warm up he was the fastest rider in the short session.
As the race progressed positions were exchanged between the top three on numerous occasions and the three riders made a break from the pack on lap nine. With just half a second between them it was any one of three that was to take the win. Delves was waiting for his chance to snatch the lead at Club on the penultimate lap but the red flag came out to halt proceedings as the rain began to fall.
The result was declared at positions on lap 13 and Delves was awarded third place, his chance of the win denied by the red flag but he did have the consolation of recording the fastest lap of the race with a 1min 18.33secs – 108.20mph.
Delves retains his fifth place in the rider standings on 66 points and moves on to Donington Park in two weeks’ time for round five.
