From a press release issued by Russ Hodgson Racing:

Virgin Mobile Yamaha R6 Cup – Round 1 – Silverstone – 28th March 2004

RUSTY’S HOPES SKITTLED AT SILVERSTONE

Just when it looked like Russell Hodgson’s seemingly endless run of bad luck was diminishing, along came another competitor who comprehensively wiped out his hopes of grabbing a deserved victory in round one of the Yamaha R6 Cup at Silverstone.

Having qualified on the front row for the first time in the series – after finishing eighth overall in last season’s inaugural championship – ‘Rusty’ was confident of running a good race pace, a fact which was borne out as he led for the opening ten laps in difficult damp conditions.

But going into the final third of the race, the 22 year old from Hutton Rudby, Cleveland – who celebrated his 23rd birthday the day after the race – was skittled from behind by rival Bob Collins who took Hodgson’s back wheel away at the infamous Woodcote chicane, causing them both to crash out.

“I couldn’t believe he did that” said a devastated Hodgson. “I was just about to get on the gas and head out of the corner and the next thing I was rolling around on the floor. I thought I’d broken my leg at first but luckily it’s nothing more than bad bruising although I could have done without this. It just means I’m even more determined to win at Brands Hatch” he said referring to the next round at the Kent circuit on Easter Monday.

The series rules allow a rider to drop their two worst scores in the 13 round series so all is not lost for Hodgson as he bids for the top prize of a coveted works-supported ride in the Virgin Mobile Yamaha British Superbike Championship Team in 2005.

R6 Cup Round One Results
1, A Jenkinson, 2. J Hillier, 3.C Cummins, 4.K Bryce, 5.G Sanders, 6. V Cox, 7. J Lee, 8. J Edmeades, 9.R Wren, 10. M Pollock.