Perthshire Advertiser

Now six from six for motorcycle sensation Skinner

- MATTHEW GALLAGHER

Perth’s Rory Skinner enjoyed “another mint weekend”as he celebrated a double race win at Silverston­e.

The Tysers Yamaha rider is 66 points clear in the 2020 Quattro Group British Supersport Championsh­ip having impressive­ly stormed to victory in all six races so far this season.

His nearest competitor is JamesWestm­oreland.

At Silverston­e last weekend, Rory (18) fought through from seventh to win Saturday’s 18-lap sprint race before clinching victory in Sunday’s 24-lap feature race by almost seven seconds.

He had carved out a 1.6 second lead by lap four, before the safety car came out to neutralise the race and allow for debris from an accident to be cleared up.

Four laps behind the safety car saw the field bunch up but, at the restart, Rory again showed his class and managed to break away from the following pack.

“It’s been another mint weekend,”said Rory, who works alongside his father at Skinner Motorcycle­s in Perth.

“Silverston­e is fast and very hard on tyres, but we used our track time really well during Friday’s free practices.

“We were able to do a lot of laps on worn tyres, which really paid off in the longer race on Sunday.

“The Appleyard Macadam/ Tysers Yamaha team have been brilliant.

“We had a small issue in the sprint race and the guys worked late into the night to change the engine.

“Sunday the bike was perfect and I was able to get the holeshot, for once, and ride my own race.

“I was a bit disappoint­ed when the safety car came out, but I was able to find my rhythm again, break away from the battle for second and ride to my board.”

Next up in the championsh­ip is a trip to Oulton Park on the weekend of September 18-20 where Rory will go in search of two more top of the podium spots.

His form on the track since racing was given the green light after the COVID-19 shutdown has been earning rave reviews from those in the know within the world of motorcycle action.

Rory remains focused on the task in hand as the reduced season schedule now enters its second half.

The former Perth High School student would love to see the return of spectators at some point this year.

Racing is currently being held behind closed doors.

He said: “I’m really looking forward to Oulton Park in two weeks’time.

“Hopefully we’ll be able to have fans at that event and I can’t wait to see what we can do there.”

 ??  ?? Top marks Rory gives the thumbs up after storming to another win at Silverston­e. Photo: Bonnie Lane
Top marks Rory gives the thumbs up after storming to another win at Silverston­e. Photo: Bonnie Lane

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom