Nikki Coates emerged victorious in today’s F 900 R Cup Main Event as his points rival Barry Burrell had to settle for third in a shortened race.
Polesitter Kieran Smith led the pack into the opening lap as Burrell made a charge from sixth on the grid, storming through to hit the front on the second lap, with Coates moving into second place a lap later with a move on returning champion, Thomas Strudwick.
Coates moved ahead of his rival a lap later and lead swapped between him and Burrell for a couple of laps. Josh Corner made a move past Burrell for second on Lap Seven which just seemed to halt Burrell’s progress.
The race was stopped moments later when Kieran Smith crashed out and spread gravel across the track, Coates taking the win as Burrell was robbed of the chance to fight back and had to settle for third behind Corner.
Strudwick took fourth on his comeback as the top five was rounded out by James Bull.
ROKiT OFF BMW F 900 R Cup, Main Event result:
1. Nikki Coates (LDC BMW by FPF Racing)
2. Josh Corner (Chasin the Racin) +0.727s
3. Barry Burrell (Halliwell Jones Motorrad) +1.029s
4. Thomas Strudwick (Case Moto BMW) +1.771s
5. James Bull (James Bull Racing) +2.971s
Championship positions after Round Seven:
1. Nikki Coates 222
2. Barry Burrell 215
3. Josh Corner 191
4. Kieran Smith 166
5. Christian Smith 139