ILLNESS and a mechanical issue ruined Bromsgrove racer Jake Clark’s hopes in the latest round of the Moto3 Championship at Knockhill in Scotland.
Having arrived with a sickness bug, Wilson Racing rider Clark still managed to qualify 12th on the grid and finish race one in 12th place but then an issue with the bike forced a retirement in race two.
It has been a tough weekend. I was really looking forward to racing again after such a long break but I picked up a stomach bug,” said Clark. “Thankfully the Brands Hatch round is only a couple of weeks away.”
Determined to compete despite his bug at a gloriously sunny Knockhill, Clark finished the two free practice sessions with a fastest lap time of 56.484 which put him 15th at the end of Friday.
In qualifying on Saturday morning, he managed to complete 30 laps during the session and his time of 55.846 left him 12th on the grid for the afternoon race.
In race one, Clark made a solid start and was running in 13th position early on in the race but as fatigue played its part he crossed the line in 14th position.
The second race of the weekend didn’t go according to plan. Having made a good start, Clark suffered a mechanical issue on the fifth lap which meant he had to retire from the race.
Clark’s week had started with a promotional visit to Dijon Home and Flooring in Bromsgrove who sponsor the Wilson Racing Moto3 team. He has also been lucky enough to secure sponsorship from Catshill business The Electric Tattoo Company. They are funding his tyres at each round.
“Apart from Dijon Home and Flooring, I must also thank the Modern Electric Tattoo Company for coming on board, as well as all my other sponsors. Without their help I wouldn’t be racing,” said Clark.
The next Moto3 race for Clark will be July 20-22 at Brands Hatch.
