HENDERSON YAMAHA R1 CUP

The final race of the inaugural Henderson Yamaha R1 Cup lived up to pre-race expectations of a monumental duel between Jon Kirkham and Ben Wilson, with the ultimate prize of the Autumn Cup champion at stake.

Wilson, needing to finish ahead of Kirkham to take the title that he led until Silverstone, stole the holeshot in determined fashion. However, Kirkham, fresh from ninth in his debut Superbike race of the season, swiftly took charge on the run up into Druids for the first time.

By the close of the opening lap, the leading duo were locked in combat with a 0.7s gap to third placed Richard Cooper on the Co-ordit Racing Yamaha.

Danny Brill led the charge for fourth for the opening laps from Sam Warren and Adrian Coates, the latter riding in his final race of successful career. Warren, making a poor start from second on the grid, finally made his way past Brill with a text book move into Paddock Hill to run fourth on track. Adrian Coates followed two corners later, making the most of diving under Brill on the brakes into the left hander of Graham Hill Bend. Four laps later, and Coates was on the move yet again, powering his Stoneyford Concrete sponsored Yamaha into fourth.

At the front, Wilson kept the gap to Kirkham to within 0.3s, looking each lap for a point on the short 1.2mile Indy circuit where the dominant championship winner may be a little vulnerable. The opportunity never arose for the Boston-based rider. With Kirkham the stronger in the opening sector, and Wilson so in the second, it was all Wilson could do to take second across the line by the merest of margins.

Richard Cooper rounded out the podium in a lonely third place ahead of Coates, Brill and Warren. With his sixth placing, Sam Warren secured third in the championship - an astonishing feat for the Mission Racing rider in his first-ever road racing season.

At the chequered flag, no one could deny Kirkham his position as Spring Cup, Autumn Cup and overall championship winner. With ten pole positions and nine race victories, Kirkham has been the dominant force all season. Wilson, forever his nemesis, had to settle for second in the end. Wilson finished the season with ten podiums, including the race win at Knockhill. For both riders, the Henderson Yamaha R1 Cup has offered them the perfect springboard for a hopeful return to the Superbike grid for 2009.

Jon Kirkham, Henderson Yamaha R1 Cup Champion: "I’m feeling a little tired now, but I just knew that I had to control that race from the front, it was a good race but Ben pushed me the whole way. I’m delighted to have won all three cups this year, it’s been a fantastic experience and really raised my profile again. I’m off to race the Rob Mac Superbike again now and hope to get a better start for a higher finish. I’d like to thank everyone that’s supported me this year, especially my dad and Rob for having the faith in me for me to step into Karl’s shoes this weekend."

Race Result

1. Kirkham
2. Wilson
3. Cooper
4. Coates
5. Brill
6. Coates
7. Blair
8. Kennedy
9. Heneghan
10. Shoesmith

Autumn Cup Standings

1. Kirkham - 131
2. Wilson - 125
3. Coates - 70
4. Warren - 55
5. Mason - 52

Overall Final Championship Standings

1. Kirkham - 250
2. B.Wilson - 212
3. Warren - 147
4. Coates - 130
5. Mason - 121