Clarke crashes out at Brands Hatch

Aaron Clarke crashes out. Photo: Barry Clay.

But it was not all bad news at Brands Hatch as Tommy showed his potential in the British Supersport Sprint race on Saturday, when he came away with a points finish.

Philp, from East Kirkby, finished in 15th in the 18 lap sprint race from a sixth-row grid position on Saturday.

Clarke was riding well and qualified his Kawasaki in 16th place to start the Superstock 600 race from the sixth row.

His race was halted before it hardly began as there was a multiple crash at Druids on the first lap.

The re-started race was to run over 18 laps but the Kirton rider was only able to complete three laps before he was involved in another rider’s accident.

The force of the crash sent his bike hurtling over the air fence and was only stopped from going into the crowd by the catch fence.

On his way to the gravel trap Clarke was trapped under the bike, but luckily they parted company once they hit the kitty litter.

He was taken to the medical centre with a very sore knee and ankle but apart from some bruising there were no broken bones.

The bike didn’t fare so well, the front was badly bent in the crash and it will take a lot of work to get it repaired.

It is unlikely that Clarke will be able to take part in the next round which takes place at Donington Park at the weekend as part of the support for the World Superbike championship.

Clarke said: “It was just a racing incident; the other rider involved in the crash was very apologetic.

“I was doing quite well and hopeful of a top 10 result today.

“But I didn’t really get a chance to get going, I had got through to 11th and felt comfortable with the pace but then I was upended and that’s the end of that.”

Later in the day Philp was out in the British Supersport Feature race which he started from the sixth row.

As the lights went out he moved straight into 15th position and poised to make a move upfield when Matt Truelove crashed and took Philp down with him.

The next round Clarke will race in appears to be at Knockhill in Scotland over the weekend of June 24-26.