Motorsport: Howie shows his racing skills on emotional weekend at Donington

Sep 12 2008 by Alec Doyle, Chester Chronicle

HOWIE Mainwaring was among those paying tribute to tragic Cheshire rider Craig Jones at Donington Park at the weekend.

Frodsham’s Mainwaring, 22, grew up racing alongside Jones, 23, who was killed following an accident during a World Supersport Championship race at Brands Hatch last month.

Riders and motorsport fans united in memory of the late Northwich rider during the weekend’s World Superbike meeting at Donington, with old pal Tommy Hill riding Jones’ Parkalgar Honda 600cc bike round the track for the final time.

Mainwaring said: “Craig’s family were there and it was a really emotional time. I was convinced he would be a world champion but a tragic accident cut his career short. It was a great tribute to him. ”

As well as paying tribute to his friend, Mainwaring was also at Donington Park to race – and hopefully impress the men who could offer him a route into the World Superstock Championship.

The ‘Frodsham Flyer’ had been invited to the meeting by Suzuki, who manufacture his 1,000cc Superstock bike, to take part in the Suzuki Cup on a 750cc machine.

Mainwaring did not have a lot of time to get used to the bike, but he qualified comfortably on the third row in 10th having taken things easy.

At the start of the race, Mainwaring roared through the pack to third and quickly took the lead, only to be hit by a major setback.

He explained: “We only had 10 laps which should have been easy, but on the fourth I saw my pit board out calling me in for a drive-through penalty.”

Stewards claimed Howie got a jump start at the beginning, but subsequent TV replays suggest he got going a full second after the lights changed.

“I never got a jump, no way,” said Mainwaring. “But there’s no replay facility to make the argument at the track so you have to live with it.”

The penalty dropped Mainwaring to 14th and in the remaining laps he fought back to sixth.

As the race was run alongside the World Superbike Championship meeting, Mainwaring met a few important people after the race who he hopes can open the door to joining the World Superstock Championship.

“That is the next step I am looking at,” he said.

“But as with everything, for the first year at least you are expected to bring sponsors to the table.”