PODIUM JOY FOR OLLIE AS POLE SETTER TOMMY MISSES OUT
10 July 2005 - Wayside Racing

Brothers Tommy and Ollie Bridewell, from Etchilhampton near Devizes in Wilshire, came away with mixed emotions following on from round eight of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship meeting held at a sweltering Snetterton in Norfolk this weekend.

Riding the Vivaldi Kawasaki, 19 year old Ollie claimed not only his first front row start of the season but followed that up with a brilliant second place in the Metzeler Racetec National Superstock Championship to score his first rostrum placing of the season and indeed the first podium for the ambitious Vivaldi Racing Team.

The teenager made the most of his starting position to challenge leader and ex GP rider Adrian Coates (Suzuki) early in the race before settling for second with a mature ride way beyond his years and was delighted with his best result for nearly a year:

“I’m over the moon” said Ollie afterwards. “I think that now I can run up there at the front, there’s no reason why I can’t be challenging for race wins now and that is what I’ll be aiming for from now on. We now go into a five week break and I can recharge my batteries so I’m fully prepared for the next race at Silverstone” concluded Ollie who as a result of his achievement gets the use of team boss Tony Gee’s Ferrari for a day!

Meanwhile younger brother Tommy was hoping to emulate his success of two weeks previous when he took victory aboard the Wayside Racing Yamaha in the Virgin Mobile Cup at Knockhill in Scotland but despite setting pole position, he crashed out during the race not once but twice!

In a first corner incident, the 16 year old was taken out by another rider but he gamely picked himself up from the 80mph smash and remounted as he to tried to score some all important points.

Tommy was clawing his way back into contention when on lap ten he went down on the same corner, the legacy of his former crash.

“I must have warped a disc in the first crash as I had to keep pumping the brakes but on that lap I just couldn’t get enough speed scrubbed off and down I went again. I’m gutted as the accident wasn’t my fault but I’ll bounce back and hope to win next time out” said Tommy.

Wayside Racing team owners Marcus and Liz Bridewell were delighted with their sons’ performances: “It was unlucky for Tom but that’s racing and Ollie had to dig deep for his result. He’ll have some fun in the gaffer’s Ferrari I’m sure!” said Marcus. Liz meanwhile commented: “I’m just so proud of both lads after today. Tommy showed such determination to get back in the race and he has to take some credit for that and as for Ollie, he’s worked so hard for his success, they both deserve a pat on the back after today.”

Tommy will next be in action in two weeks time when the Virgin Mobile Cup riders enjoy two races as non-championship supports to the British Moto GP at Donington Park before returning to domestic duty with Ollie at Silverstone on August 21st for round nine of the British series.

2005 BSB Race Dates

R1: 26–28 March, Brands Hatch, Kent (Indy)www.motorsportvision.co.uk

R2: 8–10 April, Thruxton, Hants www.barc.net

R3: 22–24 April, Mallory Park, Leics www.mallorypark.co.uk

R4: 30 April–2 May, Oulton Park, Cheshirewww.motorsportvision.co.uk

R5: 13–15 May, Mondello Park, Co Kildare www.mondellopark.ie

R6: 3–5 June, Croft, N Yorks www.croftcircuit.co.uk

R7: 24–26 June, Knockhill, Fife www.knockhill.co.uk

R8: 8–10 July, Snetterton, Norfolk www.motorsportvision.co.uk

R9: 19-21 August, Silverstone, Northants www.silverstone-circuit.co.uk

R10: 27-29 August, Cadwell Park, Lincs www.motorsportvision.co.uk

R11: 9–11 September, Oulton Park, Cheshire www.motorsportvision.co.uk

R12: 23–25 September, Donington Park, Leics www.donington-park.co.uk

R13: 7–9 October, Brands Hatch, Kent (GP) www.motorsportvision.co.uk

Picture courtesy of Paul Korkus P K Photo Media

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