Seventh heaven for Horspole

And it got better when they were awarded seventh place in round one because one of the riders ahead was in the 600cc class and was not eligible to score points in the main class.

Gary and his Scottish passenger (pictured) qualified well and began their campaign from a fifth row grid position. The race took place on the short and twisty Indy circuit at the Kent venue where overtaking is difficult because of few passing points.

The pair moved into 11th place on the first of 15 laps before moving up to 10th and then ninth on lap four. When an outfit ahead pulled out Horspole and Connell were elevated to eighth which they held to the chequered flag.

The Birchall brothers were riding their LCR outfit which houses a 600cc Honda engine and they were contesting the Cup section of the race for 600cc machines. They finished the race in an overall position of fifth but were not eligible to score points in the main race and so Horspole and Connell were awarded nine points for seventh place.

Starting the second race from the fourth row, Gary and Jimmy held seventh position for much of the 15-lap affair.

The safety car led the outfits around the track for a couple of laps to allow the marshals to remove a crashed outfit and once the car left the track the pair continued in seventh place. But with three laps remaining Holland and Watson made a move and relegated Horspole and Connell to eighth place where they remained to claim eight points.

Gary said: “we had a really good time at Brands Hatch, we were able to match the speed of some of the top teams and we are really happy with two strong results.

“We are fifth in the overall rider standings which is the best we have been to date so we have to be pleased.”

They thanked main sponsors, Sleaford Quality Foods, Baker Plant Hire and Oxford Products.