
BTC: Sullivan Mounsey wins at Thruxton and closes in Belford’s Championship lead
Sullivan Mounsey wins Race One at Thurxton and slowly closes in Belford’s Championship lead.
Evan Belford (City Lifting / RS Racing) was on pole position for the first race of the weekend at Thruxton. It was tricky conditions with rain in the air and with Sullivan Mounsey (Wilson Racing / Maddison Media) qualifying in second. Amanuel Brinton (Kovara Projects / RS Racing) rounded out the front row with great racing in store.
It was Sullivan Mounsey who got a near-perfect start to his race, having a comfortable lead into turn one. Evan Belford had a slow start to the race, dropping down to third behind Brinton.
Filip Surowiak (FS75 Racing / FAB Racing) had an incredible start to the race, battling to fourth before running wide.
Lucas Brown (Amphibian Scaffolding / SP125 Racing) had a huge moment, running out onto the damp grass. Brown managed to keep it on two wheels and re-joined at the back of the pack.
Harley McCabe (McCabe Racing) had a disappointing qualifying, beginning the race from 13th position. He had a great start to the race, making his way into fifth position as he continues to battle for second in the championship.
It was a three-way battle at the front, with Brinton and Belford changing positions in every corner.
The battle for fourth position was huge with Ollie Walker (VisionTrack Racing) continuing his incredible form. Walker led the battle for fourth, ahead of McCabe and Harrison Dessoy (Microlise Cresswell Racing / Eastern Garage).
Ryan Frost (Talentum Motorsport by Azure Notions) rounded out the top 10, with a great battle forming. Frost was in a five-bike battle for 10th including, Surowiak and Rhys Stephenson (Rocket Racing).
Sullivan Mounsey lost the race lead on lap seven, allowing Brinton briefly into the race lead for just a couple of corners.
George Bowes (Microlise Cresswell Racing) crashed out of the race on lap eight with a huge highside on the #67 machine. Yellow Flags were out in that sector, with Bowes taking for a check-up.
Scott McPhee (SMP Racing) was in sixteenth position, battling with Lucas Brown for points in Race One. Brown continued his recovery ride as he hopes to pick up as many points as possible for his Championship.
It was an intense battle at the front with Mounsey looking incredibly strong at the front of the race. With just three laps remaining Brinton and Belford were taking turns attacking Mounsey for the lead. Belford also had the fastest lap of the race with a 1’22.370 and an incredible 102.96 mph average.
No one was able to take the lead from Mounsey and he would cross the line to take his fourth race win of the season. Brinton tried his best to drag race Mounsey to the line and would lose out by just 0.020. Belford came home to take 16 valuable Championship points and another podium.
Ollie Walker was in a lonely fourth position after breaking free, he was ahead of Rhys Stephenson in fifth. Ryan Frost was in sixth position, just losing out to Stephenson at the line.
Harley McCabe was down in seventh, taking his worst finish of the season in Race 13 of the season. Harrison Dessoy rounded out the top eight and would finish as the top Microlise Creswell machine.
Image credit: British Talent Cup