Mixed fortunes for Market Rasen twin racers at Donington

Market Rasen twins Tom and Tim Neave celebrated their 21st birthday with a visit to Donington Park for a round of the Superstock 600 championship.
Tim Neave rides to his best-ever Superstock finish at Donington EMN-160530-115809002Tim Neave rides to his best-ever Superstock finish at Donington EMN-160530-115809002
Tim Neave rides to his best-ever Superstock finish at Donington EMN-160530-115809002

Tim had reason to celebrate as he scored his best-ever result in the series, run as part of a support package to the World Superbike Championship on Sunday.

Qualifying went well for Tim who began his race from an eighth row grid position. He shot through to take up 20th place on the first lap, but was prevented from moving further forward when the safety car was deployed for an accident.

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Once the car left the track, Tim was able to push forward, moving through to 18th on lap five and then to 17th on lap eighth.

Tom Neave failed to start the Superstock race with bike problems EMN-160530-115821002Tom Neave failed to start the Superstock race with bike problems EMN-160530-115821002
Tom Neave failed to start the Superstock race with bike problems EMN-160530-115821002

He became embroiled in a fierce battle for position with Scott Deroue and the pair frequently swapped placed throughout the remainder of the race.

Both riders passed Matthew Wigley on the penultimate lap with Tim securing 14th position at the chequered flag.

Tim said: “I’m happy with 14th and can build on that in the next few races. It’s the best result I have had to date and the first set of points as well so I’m well pleased.

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“I had a good battle with Scott Deroue in front of me and passed him two or three times on cornering, but then missed a gear and lost the tow a bit, but I finished in 14th and picked up my first two points.”

Tom Neave failed to start the Superstock race with bike problems EMN-160530-115821002Tom Neave failed to start the Superstock race with bike problems EMN-160530-115821002
Tom Neave failed to start the Superstock race with bike problems EMN-160530-115821002

But it was a different story for his twin brother Tom who was gearing up to score a strong top 10 result.

As the riders rode to the hairpin to enter the track and move through to the start line, Tom encountered a problem with his Kawasaki and was unable to join the track.

He said: “The fork seal went as I went to the hairpin and there was no time to even try to sort it out so I had to withdraw from the race.

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“It was unfortunate as I had completed free practice and qualifying without a problem and after qualifying in 14th place I was anticipating a good result.

“Looking back after the race on the times I would have been looking at a top seven or eight so I’m absolutely gutted this should happen.”

The twins look set to miss the next round at Knockhill in three weeks time as the expense of a 700-mile round trip to Scotland is proving untenable.

But the pair are planning to take in a track day prior to check the bikes are in mint condition and to get some extra practice for the next round at Snetterton on July 10.

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