Heating up for summertime showdown on track

And things were certainly heating up in the British Supersport and National Superstock 100 series, as both the Black Country-based Bathams racing team, and Sorrymate.com-backed Wigley twins, each mounted a twin-pronged attack.

Taylor Mackenzie was back racing for the Bathams team only this time he was joined by Brierley Hill-born veteran and team owner, Michael Rutter, who was returning to action for the first time in two rounds.

And it proved to be an eventful round for both riders too as Rutter, aged 46, stormed from 35th on the grid to take a superb eighth-placed finished, while Mackenzie – whose mother hails from Coseley, in the Black Country – claimed a stunning second place finish during Sunday’s race.

Both riders were in superb form right from the word go and Friday’s second free practice session saw the team’s first ever one-two on the timesheets as Taylor posted the quickest time, 0.127s ahead of Rutter.

However, when it came to Saturday’s qualifying session, it was team manager Rutter that grabbed the top spot, edging out his younger team-mate for pole position.

But the drama did not end there was a post-race inspection revealed Rutter’s bike was 200rpm over the allowed limit – the reason being he was on the BMW S1000RR last used at the Isle of Man TT superstock race where FIM rules are in force as opposed to British ones – and he was subsequently removed from the results.

It meant Taylor started Sunday’s 16-lap race from first on the grid with Rutter at the very back.

Taylor eventually found himself in a five-rider battle for the lead at the high-speed 2.35-mile circuit when the flag dropped but worked his way into contention for the victory, after nosing in front of Lee Jackson while Josh Elliott took the win.

Rutter, meanwhile, continually moved forward throughout the race and worked his way up to eighth, to move up to 10th in the championship, while Mackenzie picked up his first points of the campaign to sit in 17th after just three races.

Rutter said: “It’s been a really good day for the Bathams Racing team and, of course, a podium finish for Taylor is great for all concerned."

Kurt and Matt Wigley, 22, from Hednesford, were also keen to build on their recent solid performances in the British Supersport series and both riders had a plan in mind for Saturday’s qualifying session.

The Sorrymate.com team worked overnight to improve the bike’s setup and the brothers decided to go out on a used rear tyre in a hope of making improvements later on in qualifying.

Kurt was second quicker than his practice session times and Matt also improved, despite the changes eating away at his front tyre.

The first sprint race of the weekend saw both Kurt and Matt get off to a good start.

Working their way up the grid, they were together on track by lap four and used each other to cut through the field, gaining positions and moving inside of the points.

As the 12-lap race progressed, Kurt finished the race in 14th, one place ahead of his brother.

The twins again found themselves side-by-side on the grid for Sunday’s race.

On lap three, Kurt got caught up with the back of the group ahead and ran on, which resulted in a 1.7-second penalty, but he was still able to finished in 12th. Matt defended his position to finish 13th.