It proved a difficult weekend for James McManus at Oulton Park in the British Supersport Championship. A crash in each race at Lodge Corner was harsh for the effort and progress the Randalstown rider had shown over the weekend.
In qualifying James McManus had finished 5th in Q1 enabling him to take part in Q2 straight after. During Q2 he set the 20th fastest lap time for the grid and 18th in the British Supersport class.
In Saturday's Sprint Race James started from the middle of row seven. Making a positive start he swept through to 16th place from 20th on the grid. By the end of lap two, he was 17th on track and 15th in the Supersport class. He went on to gain another position on lap four moving into 12th position in the Supersport category just after the halfway stage of the 12-lap race.
Unfortunately for James, all his hard work came undone on lap eight. Approaching the end of the lap he lost the front, crashing out at Lodge Corner.
James also made a good start to the second race. Starting the row behind Eugene in 19th position he gained two positions at the start of the race. Unfortunately, he was to end the weekend frustrated as a second crash at Lodge Corner ended his race on the third lap.
James said;” A bit of an up and down weekend for me, very happy with the progression I made this weekend, however to DNFs in the races didn’t show that, but I’ve made improvements again this weekend and got faster in every session and look to bring that momentum onto Donington park in 2 weekends time”.