MOTORSPORT: LIAM Delves had to ride through the pain barrier on Sunday afternoon to complete his two races in the seventh round of the HEL Performance British Motostar championship.
Still suffering from pain suffered in a car accident last week, Delves managed to dig deep and finish a respectable 13th and ninth at Thruxton to move to tenth in the rider standings on 76 points.
The youngster completed his qualifying in 15th place and started the ten-lap sprint race on Saturday from a fifth row grid position.
Delves made a good start and immediately moved up to 12th on the opening lap.
He soon became involved in a ten-rider battle for position with places being frequently exchanged within the group.
Despite finishing the race in 14th, Liam was promoted to 13th when a rider in a separate class was ahead – meaning the borough-based rider claimed three championship points.
The 14-lap feature race saw Delves start from the fifth row.
A quick start ensured Delves moved into 12th position and he was quickly in the middle of a five-rider battle for 11th place.
A persistent threat from riders behind didn’t phase Delves, who held on to finish ninth.
Liam said: “It was a tough weekend. I finished my second race in ninth place but we made some big steps that we will take forward to the next round.
“My team worked so hard all weekend making changes to the DRMoto, Moto3 bike to get me as comfortable as possible and we are looking forward to Cadwell Park in two weeks’ time.”
The weekend’s events were sadly marred though by the news of a tragic accident in the Superstock 1000 race in which Mark Fincham sadly lost his life.
“My thoughts are with the True Heroes team and Mark’s family and friends,” Delves said.
Liam is next in action on August 20 at the Lincolnshire Wolds circuit of Cadwell Park.
Picture: Dave Yeomans
