Personal best for Beech

Ashley Beech: gearbox troubles set him back

MOTOR CYCLE RACING: ASHLEY Beech set a personal best lap time at Knockhill in round four of the National Superstock Championship.

The 1.2 mile Scottish circuit is the shortest on the calendar with a unique series of twists, turns, drops and climbs. Last year the Moorside rider had a bad start but fought his way through the field to finish 16th.

This time gearbox problems caused instability and rain prevented final tests on improvement, so Beech started 36th.

After a steady start the rider had made up seven places by the half-way mark and pushed hard for the remaining 12 laps.

Beech managed to move up to 24th and set his best lap time at Knockhill by more than a second.

The next round of the Championship is at Brands Hatch on July 20.