THERE was a birthday boost for Huddersfield racer Dijon Compton at Oulton Park.
The former Superbikes and Supersport rider, who was 33 on Sunday, came home first in round five of the Harley Davidson XR1200 Trophy series – his first win in the championship.
“It has been a good season so far and this was my fourth podium finish,” said the Ashenhurst racer.
“Obviously the work that goes in to finishing first doesn’t happen overnight and it had been a little frustrating not to get a win, so it was very nice to finally get that win.”
The 25 points from his Oulton Park success took him to 87 points in the series and he now leads the championship by nine points from Peter Ward.
The Leeds Harley Davidson team rider will now turn his thoughts to the next round – a double-header at Brands Hatch over the weekend of August 5-7.
After Brands the Harley Davidson series finishes with meetings at Cadwell Park (August 27-29) and Donington Park (September 9-11).
However, there may prove to be a spanner in the works looming for Compton.
“I basically do the work on the bike myself – there is no team as such, but they provide the bike,” explained Compton.
“However, there have been a few problems for Leeds Harley Davidson company and it could be that I am left with no ride for the rest of the season.
“It’s disappointing, but I said I would win a race for them and I have done that, so even if it doesn’t continue then at least I have done what I wanted to do.”
There was a great return for teenage Holmfirth racer Joe Irving at the British Superbikes meeting as he came home sixth in the British 125cc Championship and Academy Cup riding for the Honda e3motorsport team.
The Supersport Championship race also got underway as a ten-lap contest and Netherton’s Josh Caygill, riding for the MAP Triumph team, came home in 26th place.
As the rain continued to fall racing was called off and victims of the weather were Holmfirth brothers James and Jonathan Lodge whose National Superstock 600 Championship race was postponed and will now be held at round nine of the British Superbikes Championship at Cadwell Park.
“It was disappointing really, but there was not a lot else the organisers could have done with the amount of water on track,” said Jonathan.
“Running the races would have been dangerous, but it was a shame as I felt strong in the practice and qualifying sessions.
“I was fifth after free practice and in first qualifying I was as high up as second for most of the session, but dropped to seventh during the last minutes of the second session.
“That is still a second row start for the rescheduled race, so it will still count for something.
“Brands should be a good. I really enjoy the GP circuit and we are hoping to get away next Tuesday for a test day there to try out some settings and get into the swing of things before the meeting.”
