Pole-star Beech founders in wet

IT was a case of sweet and sour for Oldham motor cycle ace Ashley Beech in round 12 of the National Superstock 1000 Championship at Brands Hatch.

Beech used the qualifying conditions to land pole position - but rain on race day scuppered his hopes and he finished a disappointing 15th.

Following his disappointment at Silverstone - he retired with a broken gear lever - Beech looked on the race as a way to finish the season on a high.

His pole position in qualifying was a remarkable achievement against former British Superbike riders, previous champions from South Africa and Australia and current Isle of Man TT lap-record holder John McGuiness.

Though the rain had stopped shortly before the start of the race, the track remained wet and when the flag dropped Beech was involved in a mad dash to the first corner. With over 40 riders bumping and barging to gain every bit of ground, Beech stayed out of trouble but dropped down the field and crossed the line in 12th place after the first lap. He slipped three more places before eventually finishing 15th.

After the initial disappointment, bearing in mind his starting place, it was acknowledged that the earning of a championship point in extremely difficult conditions was a fine achievement.

And Beech was happy to announce he was staying with the Jones Dorling team for 2014.