COUNTY DURHAM motorcycle racer Chrissy Rouse got his Pirelli National Superstock 600 Championship challenge underway with his first points of the year as he finished fifth at Brands Hatch at the weekend.

The 19-year-old, who is from Burnopfield, made amends for his crash last time out, but admitted he was disappointed not to have finished on the podium.

The race was reduced to a 15-lap dash after a crash on the opening lap brought out the red flag and proceedings were delayed by an hour.

After a strong re-start, Rouse made a move on Andrew Irwin to claim fourth on the second lap, but he slipped back to fifth when he was unable to hold off Tarran Mackenzie on lap eight.

“It was one those races I suppose,” said Rouse. “I really wanted a podium, but it wasn’t to be. I did my best out there. I made a few mistakes, but at the end of the day, I just didn’t have the pace of the guys ahead of me.
“My lap times were good, and I managed to get some points so I have to take the positives. I’ve got myself on to the points table now and I’ve got my two worst circuits out of the way, which means I can look ahead to Oulton Park and start working towards getting on the podium.”

Rouse is in joint ninth position in the championship with 11 points, with the next round scheduled for Oulton Park on May 2-4.