11-09-2010 |
Westy finishes the season with 2nd place at Oulton Park.
Westy worked his way up from seventh on the opening lap to storm through the field and close on the leader but he couldn't snatch the position and he took his fourth consecutive second place finish.
James said: "I needed a good start but got distracted by Alex Lowes jumping the start and made a shocker! I ended up finishing the first lap 6th and then as I was trying to get into gear I felt the brakes fading and I was struggling to stop the bike. I was pretty scared as I didnt know if my brakes would stop working but I got some feel back again and at the end of the second lap I dropped down to 7th. It is your worst nightmare as a racer and my first thought was to pull in, but I calmed down and regained feel in them. Once I knew that I could stop I could press on, I put my head down and took every opportunity I could. On lap 5 I passed Billy and Kennedy at the same time into Lodge which was a nice feeling, I knew I had serious pace once on my own. By lap 6 of 12 I was 2.4 seconds behind leader Ben Wilson, and I smashed my own lap record 5 times to reel him in. I took massive risks and I was so happy to have that dominant feeling back that I had missed for the past few rounds. I caught Ben with 2 to go but as hard as I tried I could not find a way past. I had a big go into Lodge on my last lap but hit the limiter and ran wide. I was gutted to have put so much hard work in and just miss out, because I was in great form and it would have been a dream to win after a tough race. "
"So that was it, another second place to go with my second in the Championship!! Although we have not been victorious in the last 4 races there are lots of positives and I have given 110%. I was slightly baffled before warm up as I have every confidence in myself to win races so it was a relief to solve the small problem for the race, and show the ultimate pace I have in Supersport racing. My CAME Yamaha team have been amazing all season and I have genuinely loved riding for the team. It has been one of the happiest years of my career, and the most successful yet. We had two DNF's this year, one a broken radiator after been run off the track, another my mistake at Snetterton whilst leading. Raceways have provided me with a fantastic package, I have been fortunate to have the very best people around me, and working with Colin Davies as my crew chief has been such a wonderful experience and I am very grateful to him, Steve Rodgers,Sim, Tony, Jonny, Andy for the opportunity. My plans for 2011 are still up in the not finalised, I have expressed a desire to move to BSB but only on a competative package, otherwise I would like another season in Supersport before moving up in 2012. If it is not possible for me to carry on with my CAME Yamaha team in 2011 I will miss them all very much, and hope that I will get the opportunity to work with them again sometime in the future."
"A massive thank you to everyone who has made this year possible for me. The whole team, CAME, Raceways, Yamaha, Shark, Tcx, J Dawsons and Sons, Gi-Moto, Orovia Software, Jon Jessop photography."
For more images of the CAME Yamaha Team
click here.
