Thruxton promised so much, following Halfords Racing with Cataclean's impressive history at the circuit, but unfortunately delivered so little.
Free practice on Saturday started well with Gordon Shedden topping the times, but it was Daniel Rowbottom who finished P1 in qualifying to gain his second pole position of the season.
Rowbottom got a decent start in race one, but got ran out wide exiting Cobb Corner, which shuffled him back into the pack. Both drivers struggled to generate front end grip during the bout and, despite fighting valiantly, would end up with Rowbottom finishing in sixth place and Shedden in 13th.
Disaster struck in Race two with both cars suffering technical issues and having to withdraw from the contest.
Race three finished at the first corner for Shedden after contact with the BTC Racing Honda of Jade Edwards fired both cars heavily into the barrier, whilst Rowbottom fought from the back of the grid to finish in a credible 14th.
Gordon Shedden commented: “It was always going to be a difficult weekend for me following qualifying, I unfortunately had a wee excursion out the back on my fastest lap and that ended my challenge. Race one I struggled to make progress, and then race two, a technical issue ended my race before it started. The third race was just a closing of the gap into turn one, which unfortunately caused contact with Jade and again ended my race early. But onwards and upwards now to Croft and get my points tally back on track.”
Daniel Rowbottom concluded: “What can I say! A frustrating weekend for me after a mega qualifying. Race one I just got run out a bit wide at the start in turn two and that pushed me back into the pack, then I just got caught in the train and couldn’t make further progress. Race two I had an electrical gremlin on the start that switched all the electrics off! I reset it but had no power, so then had to pit to get it repaired, and that was race over. Race three I drove as hard as I could, it is so difficult to overtake here, but I managed to claim a couple of all important points by finishing 14th.”
The team now go to Croft in three weeks’ time (18/19 September).
