Ben Currie and Oxford Products Racing Ducati score their maiden British Supersport podium at Oulton Park
Bank holiday Monday saw a great result for the team after Ben stepped onto the box in the Quattro Group British Supersport feature race.
Starting from fifth on the grid, Ben was down a couple of positions as the opening lap got underway but was soon back into fifth. He passed Luke Jones for fourth on Lap 3, before passing Rhys Irwin for third on the following lap.
Half-way through the 18-lap race Ben was up to second, and by Lap 10 he was leading the race. But a couple of laps later backmarkers came into play, with Ben dropping back to second.
The race was all set for a dramatic conclusion, with Luke Stapleford, Richard Cooper, and Ben in close formation. Ben was unable to make a last-lap lunge into Lodge Corner, but his third-place finish position saw the first Panigale V2 podium for him and the team in British Supersport.
Ben now moves up to third in the championship, just two points from the top of the table.
Ben Currie
Oxford Products Racing Ducati #61 – 3rd
“It’s fantastic to get on the box finally this weekend. We feel like we deserved one this weekend and we got there. It was a huge turnaround from Silverstone. We had the pace all weekend to challenge for the win.
What a race that was. Very, very difficult, hard on the body. Very physical and massive battle with seven guys. Really enjoyable. The Oxford Products Racing Ducati V2 was just awesome out there. We can take this result and use it for confidence for the rest of the season and try and keep this ball rolling. We’re getting closer and closer. Not quite where we want to be exactly, but we are really close, and I am really enjoying the challenge so let’s keep rolling on for Donington Park.
Iain Hopcroft, Team Manager
“We progressed over the weekend. We had a little trip into the gravel on Sunday, but Ben made up very good ground on Monday’s race. Thought we were going to inch a win but ended up third. But extremely happy with him, and both riders, for the weekend. Lots to improve on, lots to learn, and lots of data to chew through for the tech guys. We’re looking forward to Donington Park which is another really good circuit for both Ben and Christian to get their teeth into and they both have very good history there.”