The Quattro Plant Kawasaki were back in action over the Bank Holiday weekend for round three of the 2013 British Superbike Championship and Chris Walker excelled around the Oulton Park circuit in Cheshire.
 
The Nottingham rider was back at the venue that saw him claim a famous victory twelve months ago and he was again in fine form throughout and this was borne out with an excellent sixth place in qualifying. A good start to the first race though was undone when he got caught up in Keith Farmer’s crash and almost came to stop. Despite losing ten places, he fought hard and after a good battle with PJ Jacobsen he was eventually rewarded with a solid ninth.
 
The second race went more to plan and although it was a lonely race and front grip was an issue due to the warm temperatures, Chris took an excellent sixth place. The result moved him onto 43 points and up to a superb sixth overall in the Championship table.
 
Team-mate Danny Buchan had another tough weekend, unfortunately, and a spill in the opening laps of qualifying left him with back injuries and he was forced to withdraw from Monday’s two races. There was also disappointment for National Superstock 1000cc Championship contender Kyle Wilks as he crashed out of the race on the sixth lap, fortunately without injury.
 
Pete Extance, Team Manager: “Chris had another fantastic weekend and we can’t ask any more of him at the moment. He was strong in every session and qualified in a superb 6th place but, unfortunately, got caught up in Keith Farmer’s crash in the first race and had to take avoiding action. He fought back for ninth place but race two went more to plan and he thoroughly deserved his sixth position. Chris seems to be in a very determined mood this season and with a few improvements on the bike over the winter he is very positive. He’s moved into the top six for the first time this season and now has his sights set firmly on Knockhill with high hopes for more strong finishes.”
 
“Danny continued to have a few niggling issues and a crash in qualifying put a premature end to his weekend with a tweaked back. We now have to concentrate on the roads season for 4 weeks and then look forward to Knockhill in mid-June.”
 
The series now takes a six-week break before resuming at Knockhill in Scotland on June 14-16 but the team will be out in force in a week’s time with James Hillier and Steve Heneghan contesting the International North West 200 road races in Northern Ireland. The meeting takes place from May 14-18.
 
Picture by Tim Keeton – Impact Images