Phillips extends championship lead with win in Scotland

Knockhill racing circuit in Scotland was the venue for Round 5 of the National Superstock 600 Championship last weekend.
Carl Phillips racing at Knockhill. Pic by Alan HealCarl Phillips racing at Knockhill. Pic by Alan Heal
Carl Phillips racing at Knockhill. Pic by Alan Heal

Lisburn Motorcycle ace Carl Phillips arrived in determined mood to continue his dynamic start to the season which saw him leading the Championship by 20 points going into last weekend’s race in Scotland.

At only 1.2 miles long, Knockhill is the shortest circuit on the Championship calendar and close racing is always guaranteed, making it a special circuit for fans and spectators.

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With each lap taking less than a minute to complete, the fitness and in particular upper body strength of a rider, is tested to the limit.

Such a twisty circuit with only two clean passing opportunities, at Taylors Hairpin named after the late Jock Taylor, the 1980 Sidecar World Champion and at the Duffers Dip section, it is important to protect your line but at the same time take advantage if an opportunity arises.

In tricky weather conditions Carl was using a wet front and dry rear tyre and with just a few minutes left of the first qualifying session he set provisional pole before crashing out at the fast downhill Duffus section landing heavily and aggravating an old shoulder injury.

The team technicians worked late into the night to repair Carl’s Kawasaki ZX-6R race bike and in final qualifying he ignored the pain and set the fifth fastest time and would start from row two on the grid.

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Carl made a lightning start and was lying in 4th place at the end of the first lap.

But by half race distance he had fought his way to the front until on lap 14 the race was red flagged when rain started to fall and Carl was declared winner, scoring maximum points.

This now leaves him with a 38 point lead in the Championship.

The next round of the Championship is at Snetterton on July 10th.

Follow Carl and the Teams progress on Twitter @carlphillips32 and on Facebook Carl Phillips Racing.

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