Laken Payne emerged victorious after a hard-fought, race-long scrap in today’s opening Junior Sportbike race as just over a tenth of a second covered the top three finishers.
Polesitter Ben Jolliffe led off the line before Lewis Mullen hit the front on the opening lap, quickly followed by Mason Johnson and from there, it was a blink or you’ll miss it sort of race as the lead changed over and over, lap after lap.
It all led to a last lap bonanza, as Jolliffe led the way, with Payne and Mullen behind. A tiny error from Jolliffe with around half a lap to go left it wide open for Payne and Mullen to have a go as all three battled to the line.
Payne just managed to get a nose ahead to take the win by 0.139secs from Jolliffe as Mullen crossed the line third, just 0.028 behind.
Fourth was Luca Hopkins after a heroic ride from the back of the grid as Arnie Carr rounded out the top five.
1pMobile National Junior Sportbike Championship, Race One result:
1. Laken Payne (LP 41 Racing)
2. Ben Jolliffe (Dunsley Heat Racing) +0.139s
3. Lewis Mullen (DJ Racing) +0.167s
4. Luca Hopkins (Team SBR powered by DKS Racing) +0.522s
5. Arnie Carr (ATP Motorsport) +0.578s