After a very positive start to the race weekend, the Completely Motorbikes / Affinity Sports Academy rider Eugene McManus crashed out in tricky track conditions early in the race on Sunday. Having qualified in sixth place for the race McManus came off on a damp track on lap two at the Gooseneck. The premature end to the race leaves McManus fifth in the championship on 72 points.
Free practice
The Friday free practice sessions were both very positive for Eugene McManus. Having set a lap time of 1:33.151 in free practice one he then improved in free practice two. Dropping his lap time to 1:32.732 he finished the day eighth overall less than a second from the fastest rider of the day.
Qualifying
Qualifying at Cadwell Park also proved rewarding. McManus’ pace was competitive throughout having opted to go straight out on dry tyres. After returning from the pits for his final stint he put in his three fastest laps to qualify in sixth position for the race with a best time of 1:32.775.
Race
Having qualified sixth the riders had a tyre choice to make after overnight rain left the majority of the track wet. However, a dry line had appeared. The correct tyre decision proved difficult for all the riders. Some opted for full wets, some a wet front and dry rear and McManus and a few others choosing dry tyres front and back.
McManus started on the left side of the grid and made a cautious start as he edged across to find the dry line. Not unexpectedly he lost a few positions on the first lap. The assumption was that as the track dried further McManus would benefit from his increased pace on dry tyres and move through the field.
Unfortunately, we were unable to witness this as on lap two he touched a wet part of the track and was flung over the handlebars, thankfully unhurt.
Eugene McManus said,” It was a disappointing end to what had been a good weekend. I got the tyre choice right with dry tyres in practice and I also believe dry tyres were the right choice for the race. Unfortunately, I strayed a little off the dry line and crashed out.
It’s one of those things. I will put it behind me and we now move on to Snetterton.”
The next round is at Snetterton 300 from 3rd to 5th September.