Successful Brands Hatch BSB Thompson and O’Grady
Yorkshire’s Joey Thompson and Co-Kerry rider Emmet O’Grady, both shone at the final British Superbike Championship round at Brands Hatch at the weekend when the Wilson Craig Honda Racing pair scored points in both the Quattro Group British Supersport 600 and British GP2 Championships races.
In a weekend of mixed track conditions, both Thompson and O’Grady produced a string of excellent results with Thompson taking 11th and 12th place finishes in the Supersport 600 Class, while O’Grady took 14th and 11th place finishes respectively, earning them Championship points in the two races.
With neither rider having sat on the Wilson Craig machines until the first free practice on Friday, their results at the weekend was testimony to the quality that both Thompson and O’Grady have, and no doubt have a lot more to come.
For team owner Darren Gilpin, he could not have asked for anymore from both of his riders.
Darren Gilpin (Team Principal)“Overall as a team we are very happy with how the weekend went. We had four points scoring results and gained a lot of useful data. Emmet and Joey where both a pleasure to work with and both progressed in each race. It was great to be back in the British Championships again”.
Joey Thompson:“for not having sat on this bike until Friday free practice, i am happy with how things went, and to get my first British Championship points in 2021 was very pleasing. Of course without Darren and the Wilson Craig Team i wouldn’t have been here and cant thank them enough for giving me this opportunity. The main thing is we entered, raced and finished both our races which was very important”.
Emmet O’Grady: “I am happy with how the weekend went. We missed some practice and qualifying and I think I could have done a little more. The team is amazing and I cant thank Darren and Alicia enough. Just before the start of the final race Darren said to me to just go out and enjoy myself but if I wanted to push it, go ahead. I did push it in the last race and my lap times where there to see that. It was a great weekend on good machinery, and we all came away with plenty of smiles”.
This brings an end to the Wilson Craig Honda Racing Teams 2021 season which has been very successful in the few race meetings that we where able to participate at due to Covid restrictions. Planning for the 2022 season has already begun and hopefully we will all get back to normal in the next calendar year.
Thanks to all the members and staff of the WCR Team who put in many long hours over many days and nights, and to our riders, Davey Todd – Chris Burns – Joey Thompson – Emmet O’Grady and Steven Smith for keeping the Wilson Craig name to the fore. None of it would happen but for the dedication of Darren and Alicia Gilpin.
Picture Credits, Alicia Gilpin, Motionmedia.uk, Michael Sid McCormack
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