BSB Brands Hatch GP125 #50

[twister]

Tim Hastings: Round 1 - Brands Hatch Indy

The British 125GP Championship got off to painful start for KRP’s Tim Hastings when he crashed out from a podium position during Easter Monday’s race at Brands Hatch, and the reigning ACU Academy Cup holder must now look to the next round at Oulton Park to open his 2009 account.

After a successful recent test in Spain, the four day meeting started well for the 16 year old Falkirk rider who was quickly up to speed in Friday’s first practice session before sitting out the rain affected afternoon session.

Saturday was a busy day with two practice sessions and a qualifying session scheduled for the 125s. Throughout both practice sessions - held in mixed conditions - Tim remained in the top five on the timesheets, and his impressive pace was maintained during the first qualifying session where, having pitted for some minor adjustments, he headed back out on track with just five minutes remaining and secured a provisional 3rd place on the grid.

With only one qualifying session on Sunday, and still running on old tyres (his only new set of tyres was for the race), Tim managed to improve his time slightly but struggled to find clear track in the dying minutes of the session and finally had to settle for 5th spot in combined qualifying and a second row start on race day.

For the race Tim got one of his customary good starts and completed the first lap in 3rd before moving into 2nd on lap four. Having pulled away from 3rd placed Tom Hayward Tim then began to close the gap on the leader (and eventual race winner) Martin Glossop, but on lap eleven he relinquished 2nd place to Hayward and started to struggle to maintain his lap times. Pushing hard to keep on the pace, Tim’s race then ended spectacularly on lap fourteen when, on his approach to Graham Hill bend, his Honda engine suffered a mechanical failure which locked the rear wheel and threw Tim over the high side and onto the grass on the outside of the circuit.

Tim was checked at the circuit medical centre and, despite such a heavy fall, escaped with only bruising to his right shoulder and hand, and slight concussion - his Shark RSR2 helmet and Knox back protector both helping him to avoid more serious injuries. Tim would like to thank the marshals and medics for the excellent care he received both at the crash scene and in the medical centre.

Team Twister would also like to thank Shark, TCX, Knox, NGK and Evadne for all their support, along with Mark Keen and all at Team KRP who worked tirelessly to provide the best possible bike throughout the weekend.

Finally, a BIG thank you to all those who have supported (and continue to support) the team’s "Twister.....Powered by Fans" fundraising initiative. Without these contributions Tim would not be racing and it was a pleasure to meet a number of Tim’s supporters during the Brands weekend. Team Twister still requires help to complete the 2009 season, so any support from anyone who would like to get involved would be greatly appreciated.

Despite the disappointment of Brands, Tim knows he has the pace to run right at the front this season, and with a clean bill of health he can look forward to the next round at Oulton on the 4th of May with real confidence.
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2006 EMRA & MMC F125 Champion
2008 ACU Academy Cup Champion
2009 ACU Academy Cup Champion

[flossi46]

was a great bit of riding at brands, shame it had to end with such a nasty crash.

good to see you was ok tho tim
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smile.................and everyone wonders what you've been up to
2011 is a ROSSI year