Samsung Crescent Racing's Jon Kirkham had started that race from P13 and after finishing lap one in 14th fought his way back to ninth to score some solid championship-bolstering points.
The meeting was abandoned after the race stewards and team managers met to discuss the safety implications of continuing the meeting in such inclement conditions. All agreed the meeting had to abandoned and the lost races will now be rescheduled as part of the August Bank Holiday meeting at Cadwell Park.
Jon Kirkham: "The conditions today were treacherous, I just wanted to finish that first race. There wasn't much to it other than to do your best. I'd have liked to have ridden a second race as well as we'd worked on some settings for a better wet set-up, and I was sure I could get a good result with a bit of a push – but I respect the decision.
"So, on balance a positive ride for me today. To score some vital points and to jump back up...
Jon Kirkham hasn't had such a good run, suffering a 140mph crash in second practice, and so has been fighting to regain position since then. Kirkham qualified in P13 (fourth row) but remains confident of a top-ten performance tomorrow.
Jon Kirkham: "This has been a tough build up for me. We were experimenting with set-up when I crashed at Island Bend early...
KIRKHAM THE FASTER OF THE SAMSUNG CRESCENT RACING TEAM-MATES.
Jon Kirkham had been the faster of the Samsung Crescent Racing team-mates leading up to the final free practice earlier today, but a heavy crash early in that session meant a hurried rebuild of his damaged bike before qualifying. With bike and rider again fighting-fit, Kirkham posted his personal best lap time of the weekend in Q1...
Kirkham moves up the points standings, to eighth, significantly now just six points adrift of the Title Fighters. Inclusion in the top six Title Fighters is vitally important for championship success as only the top six in the points standings qualify to compete for the title of British Superbike Champion over the final three rounds of the season.
Oulton Park Race News
