Holmfirth racers James Lodge and Joe Irving head to Donington Park this weekend looking to put pressure on the title leaders in their respective championships.
Irving is currently third in the Monster Energy British Motostar Championship and, while leader Joe Francis could prove hard to catch over the three remaining meetings, the teenager could overtake second placed Tarran MacKenzie, who is just one point ahead of him.
For former British 125cc champion Lodge the remaining three rounds – with Silverstone and Brands Hatch to follow Donington – will be a battle to close the gap on Jordan Simpkin and Luke Hedger who are ahead of him in the National Superstock 600 Championship.
But it is a challenge he is looking forward to after a great second place at the last meeting at Lincolnshire’s Cadwell Park.
“I had a great run at Cadwell, much better than last year’s visit when I broke my collarbone,” said Lodge.
“In free practice I was the fastest, which was a good start to the meeting, and I qualified fourth.
“I got a really good start and leapt into second place going into the first corner and the rest of the race was actually not very eventful.
“I had a bit of pressure from rival Joe Collier for the first few laps, but he crashed out behind me on lap four.
“In the last few laps I did suffer with a bit of arm pump again, but nothing like as bad as I had at Oulton, but I was very happy with the result. It was my best finish of the season and I’m really looking forward to Donington – hopefully I can get another good result!”
Feney Bridge’s Kyle Smith made an encouraging start to racing in the UEM European Championship Superstock 600 series, coming home sixth at the N�rburgring circuit on his Agro-On Racedays Honda CBR600RR.
