GUISBOROUGH'S Dennis Hobbs moved to within eight points of the lead in the THINK! British Superbike Cup after a superb performance against the odds at a sun-drenched Mondello Park this weekend.

Aboard his Scott Leathers sponsored 1000cc Suzuki, the 21-year-old Hobbs Racing rider overcame the pain of a broken ankle, sustained a week earlier in Italy, and a couple of minor mechanical problems to record another pair of podium finishes around the tight and twisty County Kildare circuit.

Having qualified on row three alongside the works supported Virgin Mobile Yamaha's of James Haydon and Gary Mason, Hobbs got a fine start in the first 18-lap race to run inside the top ten for the opening laps before scrapping out the lower placings with a number of rivals. He eventually claimed 12th overall and third in the Superbike Cup class.

In race two, Hobbs had to work hard to get through traffic as he hauled in leader James Buckingham but, sadly, laps ran short and he ended up just over a second behind the West Countryman to finish 11th and second in class respectively.

"It was a really tough weekend and I'm glad it's over to be honest," said Hobbs afterwards. "The podium is always the intended target and I think, had I been fitter, then a couple of wins were on the cards but I'll settle for closing the gap on James (Ellison).

"I'm going to rest the ankle for a week and I should be a lot better for Thruxton in a couple of week's time," concluded last year's BSB Privateer runner-up.

* Yorkshireman Justin Wilson was denied a maiden Champ Car podium despite a battling effort in Mexico.

The ex-Formula One driver started from third on the grid - his best qualifying display of the season - and looked set for a podium challenge early on at Fundidora Park, Moneterrey.

But on lap 28 reigning champion Paul Tracy sneaked by Wilson's Mi-Jack Conquest Racing car to drop him down the order. Alex Tagliani also overtook Wilson, who finished fifth.

Published: 25/05/2004