Motorcyling: Rasen race twins making great strides

Tom took a well-deserved second place in the opening race and a dominant win in race two, while Tim was third in race one and then second to his brother.

The twins were unable to make it up to Knockhill for their championship race and took in the Thundersport GB races to get some practice under their belts prior to this weekend’s Superstock 600 race at Snetterton.

Starting the first race from a second row grid position, Tom shot away and was up into second at the first corner, swiftly followed by his brother who was up to third.

But they were unable to catch Sam Wilford and retained their positions to the end of the nine-lap race.

In the second encounter later that day, things were looking to go much the same way. But at half-race distance, Wilford made a mistake and crashed, leaving Tom to take the lead with Tim a few seconds behind.

The twins edged away from the following pack of riders as the race unfolded and took control.

Tom was the faster of the two, completing the nine laps more than five seconds ahead of his brother who was 17.6 seconds up the road from third-placed Max Wadsworth.

The results underlined the progress they have made since moving up from the Thundersport GB to a British Championship.

Twelve months ago they were running within the top five or six riders, but on Saturday they dominated the second race, illustrating that racing with a higher class of rider has helped them become faster and more confident.

The twins return to their regular championship at Snetterton this weekend.

Programme: Friday – Free Practice 9am; first qualifying 1.25pm. Saturday – final qualifying 12.20pm. Sunday – warm-up 9am; 12-lap race 12.10pm.