Leading 2012 TT newcomer Jamie Hamilton ends Irish season with victory
Friday 14 September 2012
TT
Jamie Hamilton, a star newcomer at the 2012 Isle of Man TT, ended his Irish Road Racing season on a high with victories at the weekend.
The KMR Kawasaki racer was having his second outing at the Killalane meeting on Sunday, and claimed two wins around the 3.6-mile circuit.
In addition to victory in the SuperTwin and Moto 450cc, the 21-year-old took 3rd in the Grand Final on the orange and black KMR Kawasaki machine.
With good, dry conditions all around the course, first up for Hamilton was the Open race, where he opened his account for the day with a solid 5th place, less than a second behind the vastly experienced Adrian Archibald, and he immediately followed this up with 2nd overall in the 125cc/Moto 450cc, race where he was having his first outing on a 450cc machine.
After a race-long battle with the 125 Honda of Sam Wilson, Jamie came out on top, also being the first 450cc past the chequered flag.
His penultimate race was the 4-lap SuperTwin race, which he led from the start and although he came under pressure from Michael Sweeney in the closing stages, rode an impeccable race to keep his rival firmly at bay for another road race victory.
Last up was the Grand Final, and having made a few suspension changes to the ZX-10R, Hamilton was hopeful of improving his result, which was exactly what he did. Despite being back in 8th on lap 2, he steadily moved his way through the pack and sealed 3rd and the final podium spot on the last lap after a good pass on Brian McCormack.
Recently retired team owner and three-times TT winner Ryan Farquhar also attended the event, and marked the occasion by completing a tribute lap on the machine of his late uncle, Trevor Ferguson.
Hamilton said:
“It's been an emotional day for everyone connected with KMR Kawasaki given recent events so I'm really pleased to have given everyone in the camp some good results today.”
“It was a hard day, but I kept calm throughout, used my head and am really happy with how the day went. We made a few changes to the big bike so the Open race was more about getting dialled in, but I was happy enough with fifth and felt that I could give a better account of myself in the Grand Final.”
“We made some suspension changes and although I was back in eighth on the second lap, I stayed relaxed and kept calm and began to move through the pack. With two laps to go, I could see I was pulling Brian in and on the last lap, I went by and managed to open a gap by the end of the race.”
He added:
“I got a big bike podium at the Bush but this was a 'proper' one as conditions were perfect and everyone was out on their big bikes so it was a great result for me and the team.”
“The Supertwins race saw me get a good win and although I wasn't comfortable with the bike initially, I rode a steady race and it was only on the last lap that I realised Michael was on my back wheel! I just concentrated really hard on hitting all my apexes and braked as late as I dared going into the final corner so knew Michael wouldn't have any room to get by me.”
“The 450cc race was a new experience and something different and although Sam's 125 was quicker, I rode my own race and it paid off, ending up just a couple of seconds behind William Dunlop for 2nd overall and the first 450cc bike.”
“It's been a real difficult couple of weeks for the team so I'd like to thank them for their continued support and dedicate my success today to Trevor.”
Hamilton will race at the International Gold Cup, Oliver's Mount, Scarborough, a meeting Farquhar will also attend with the hope of completing a parade lap with some of his fellow racers.