Fourth Superstock podium helps Rutter move up to third
Fresh from his vast success at the Isle of Man TT Races, Bridgnorth’s Michael Rutter enjoyed at excellent weekend of racing at Knockhill, venue for the fifth round of the Pirelli National Superstock 1000 Championship, with second and fifth taken in the two races on the Bathams/SMT Racing BMW S1000RR. The Scottish circuit has always been one of Michael’s favourites and this could be seen in Friday morning’s free practice session when he placed fourth and although he opted out of the second session later in the day, due to rain, he was bang on form in qualifying on Saturday.
Indeed, a lap of 49.416s put him in third place and on the front row for the opening 18-lap race held later in the afternoon. A strong start saw him immediately slot into third behind pole man Danny Buchan and fellow front row starter Chrissy Rouse and there was little to choose between the trio in the early stages. Just before half race distance, Rouse crashed out which promoted Michael up to second and although Buchan had opened up a two-second lead, he was comfortably clear of third place and he duly held on for his fourth podium of the season.
With the second fastest lap of the race, the 45-year old started Sunday’s longer 24-lap race from second and the middle of the front row, which he took full advantage of to lead into the first corner. Buchan pushed him back to second at the final corner and then Rouse relegated him to third a lap later with Richard Cooper close behind in fourth. A safety car period from laps 8-11 meant the pack closed up once more and it was unlucky lap 13 for Michael as Cooper overhauled him for third.
However, he dug deep to maintain his fourth place but with Mason Law and Fraser Rogers behind him, it was incredibly tight. With just one lap to go, Law grabbed fourth although Michael successfully saw off the challenge of Rogers to claim fifth with the results, and subsequent 31 points, moving him up to third in the Championship table.
Michael Rutter: “It’s been another great weekend and the bike and team were faultless throughout. I did suffer a fair amount of arm pump in the first race, I think mainly due to all the riding I’ve done recently at Donington, the TT of course, and now here, so I managed it as best I could. I had a go at pulling Danny back but he’s riding really well at the moment and with a big gap to third place, I brought the bike home for a good second.”
“Everyone was lacking a bit of grip in the second race and I was losing time through a couple of corners so whilst I would have liked another podium, I’ve got to be happy with the results this weekend. My arms were aching a little bit again and it’s been a long month so I’m looking forward to a short break now before the next round where I’ll be looking for another podium and keeping hold of third place in the Championship.”
The next round takes place at Snetterton, Norfolk on June 30-July 2.
Pictures by Double Red
