Andrews denied win (From Evesham Journal)

Andrews denied win

6:10pm Wednesday 22nd July 2009

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EVESHAM’S Simon Andrews was denied a maiden ViSK British Superbike win in the most controversial of circumstances at Mallory Park.

The 24-year-old MSS Colchester Kawasaki rider was leading the way in race one when, on lap 23, Australian Josh Brookes crashed at one of the Leicestershire track’s most notorious hairpins, taking out Andrews in the process.

The incident then collected Chris Walker, Tommy Hill, Karl Harris and John Laverty as the red flag was waved, leaving the majority at Mallory believing Andrews would be handed the victory with the race over two thirds of the way through and the accident in no way his fault.

But to the disbelief of the MSS Colchester Kawasaki team, the victory went to Airwaves Yamaha rider James Ellison, with officials sticking to the rulebook with Andrews awarded a did not finish (DNF) for being off his bike at the time of the red flag.

Andrews said: “It was a really disappointing weekend for everyone involved with the team, everything was looking good coming into the weekend but things just didn’t work out.

“It was such a tough weekend for everyone and really disappointing that things turned out the way they did.

“The team worked so hard to get the bike going faster and faster and it was all looking good, I was feeling confident and looking forward to having a good weekend.

“But that’s how things go sometimes, it’s nobody’s fault, you just have to grit your teeth and get on with things.

“To be so close to our first win and to have it snatched away from us like that was really cruel.

“It’s massively disappointing for the team, the fans and me to get so close to the win and not make it.”

Even Ellison thought Andrews would be awarded the 25 points on offer for the victor but Stuart Higgs, the series director of the ViSK British Superbike Championship in association with Pirelli, was adamant the rules are the rules.

The next races are at Brands Hatch on Saturday, August 8 and Sunday, August 9.

For more information on Andrews’ progress during the season, go to uk.eurosport.yahoo.com.

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