American youngster Jayson Uribe produced the ride of his life at Donington Park yesterday in the latest round of the BSB British Motostar Championship.
The weekend was tough, with mechanical issues, including two engine seizures (one of which was less than 4 hours before the race was due to start) and a high speed crash on Friday in the rain, meaning Uribe was lucky to be able to take part at all.
Ian Emberton and the entire Rock & Sons racing team once again showed their class with a determined effort to repair the machine and ensure that Jayson was able to compete, albeit starting from the pit-lane.
Friday has started well, with Uribe looking fast and comfortable in the wet conditions, running well inside the top 10 before a 100mph crash caused untold damage and a lot of work for the team.
Qualifying saw the first engine seizure, leaving a frustrated Jayson 24th on the grid having missed a lot of dry track time.
Race day dawned and the sun was shining, but the mood in the camp soon turned grey as yet another seizure meant even more mechanical work ahead of the race.
With less than 4 hours until the race was scheduled to start, former racer and now crew chief Ian Emberton, together with Jayson’s father sprung into action and after deciding to remove a lot of the data logging equipment which seemed to be causing some kind of problem Jayson was ready to race.
It was the second time in as many races that Uribe would start from dead last, having run off track at Cadwell Park, but once again the talented youngster showed his raw natural talent as he passed almost 20 riders to claim his best ever finish of 9th in the 125cc category and 13th overall.
Jayson Uribe – Rock & Sons Racing: “That was the ride of my life. I started dead last and finished up with my best BSB result so far. I ended up 9th in the 125 class, and 13th overall in the Motostar class. I am overwhelmed with thankfulness to my team, my parents, my sponsors, and to the other race competitors who offered to come to our aide in what seemed like my darkest hours of the BSB yet. The true English spirit of racing is second to none and I am humbled. Thank you! I had some amazing battles today and can look forward to the final races knowing that a top ten finish overall in the championship is very much possible.”
photos courtesy of Ian Ward at Bikesportpics and Ravensport Photographic
