BSB: Krystal Racing Thruxton summary

JACKSON HAPPY WITH FIFTH AT THRUXTON

Krystal Racing Space Air's Lee Jackson crossed the line fifth in the second round of the Metzeler Racetec National Superstock Championship at a hot and sunny Thruxton today. But it was a disappointing day for young team-mate Paul Veazey who was forced to retire from the race after a weekend dogged by bad luck.

Jackson (22) had started the race from third on the grid after strong free practice and qualifying sessions during Friday and Saturday. At the green light, the 32-year-old Lincoln rider got a decent start, and despite dropping back to fifth, was lying in fourth by the end of the first lap. While race leaders Glen Richards and Steve Brogan diced it out up at the front, Jackson managed to sit in a strong fourth for the majority of the 18-lap race around the fast Hampshire circuit, but was pipped in the closing laps by former team-mate Howie Mainwaring.

"I'm quite happy with that. OK, I would rather have been further up but it was another points finish which puts me fifth in the championship and I have to come away feeling pleased with it," he said.

"We've still got some work to do on the set-up, we're yet to get fully to grips with the new bike, but I'm confident that we can get up to speed soon and I can get back up there with the boys at the sharp end. I got a better start this time, but it still wasn't enough. I'm happy enough with my times but I know we need to do some work before the next round."

Veazey (33) had a difficult weekend, which began in Saturday's qualifying session. The 20-year-old from Middlesbrough had completed just a handful of laps when he developed suspension problems. The youngster spent the next 13 minutes sitting in pitlane while the team rushed to fix the problem, and he made it out in time for just two hot laps, finally qualifying in 22nd spot.

But things got worse at the start of the race, when he realised his clutch was on its way out as he pulled away from the line, and despite trying to ride around the problem, he was forced to pull in after ten laps.

"The moment I pulled away I knew it was gone, and I knew that was the end," he said. "It was revving like mad and was hardly moving so I knew I wasn't going to be able to do much.

"I stayed out as long as I could and when I retired I was around the same place where I'd qualified so I hadn't actually done too bad. It was just an unlucky weekend. I lost a lot of qualifying and then to have to retire was really disappointing. On the plus side, I've been putting in some good times, the fastest I've ever gone, so I'm just looking at that as a positive and writing the weekend off as an unlucky one."

Team Owner Tony Astle said: "We've done alright, and have come home with a few points so it hasn't been too bad a weekend. It was just a shame young Paul had such a bad couple of days. He was unlucky today and yesterday, but he's been setting the best times he's ever done so we're pleased with that.

"Fifth was a decent finish for Lee, and I think we're all going home happy. We've all learnt a lot and know what we need to work on, and we'll be back out at Silverstone in a fortnight determined for an even better result."

The next round of the Metzeler Racetec National Superstock Championship will take place at Silverstone from April 27-29.

-credit: krsa