9:36am Monday 6th July 2009
Motorsport: Etchilhampton's Tommy Bridewell continued his recent run of form in the ViSK British Superbike Mirror.co.uk Cup as he earned a priceless double win in Scotland.
The NB Suzuki rider, who last year rode in the Italian Superbike Championship, picked up from where he had left off at Snetterton two weeks ago, claiming a first and second race win – this time at Knockhill.
Superbike rival Gary Mason had been having things all his own this season in the Mirror.co.uk Cup – winning the first eight races of the season. But in East Anglia last month it was all change, with Bridewell claiming top spot on the podium and in Scotland at the weekend the 20-year-old’s form continued.
He finished ninth overall in race one, beating Peter Hickman and Tom Tunstall into second and third places respectively in the Mirror.co.uk.
And in the second race of the day he repeated the trick, finishing ninth overall again and once again pipping rival Mason to top step on the Mirror.co.uk Cup podium.
“It is great to get another win but I can't stop thinking, if we had the funding and the budget of the factory teams, perhaps we could be even higher up the rankings,” said Bridewell.
“You can't buy confidence, you can only gain it, and so as long as I keep my confidence up and keep my head up and keep doing what I am doing, I don't think we are doing a bad job.”
Bridewell admitted he had very nearly missed out on round six of the ViSK British Superbikes all-together, having been forced to fund his trip north of the border himself.
And with no needed cash-injection or sponsor on the horizon at present – Bridewell revealed his Superbike season is hanging by a thread.
“It is hard to say if I am going to be at the other meetings – originally I wasn't meant to be at Knockhill because of the expense of it all,” added Bridewell.
“I funded the trip myself but for the rest of the year I would like to say we will be here but I would like to also say that the phone might ring and we might get a ride somewhere else.
“But you never know, you have got to hold your breath and see what happens. I can't do any more than I am doing, I just have to keep plugging away and as long as I keep getting the results I am I don't think I am doing a bad job.”
Meanwhile, Swindon’s Kenny Gilbertson had a weekend to forget in Scotland – twice finishing outside of the podium positions in a below-par showing.
British Eurosport 2 has live coverage from every round of the 2009 British Superbike Championship. See the action on Sky channel 411 or Virgin Media channel 525. Next race Mallory Park on Sunday, July 19, and for updates head to uk.eurosport.yahoo.com
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