By Glenn LeSanto

James Ellison took the European Superstock race win at his home circuit of Donington Park to nudge ahead of Italian rider Walter Tortoroglio in the title chase. Ellison’s victory came after the pair had been locked in a race-long battle. Despite suffering from serious chatter from the front end of his Suzuki GSX-R1000, Ellison managed to hold it all together in the difficult conditions at Donington Park where rain had fallen prior to the race, leaving the surface wet in places.

The front forks on Ellison’s machine were bouncing like a pogo stick as he braked hard for the tighter bends such as the difficult Melbourne Hairpin. Tortoroglio, or ‘Torto’ as he is known, managed to get by Ellison on the brakes going into Redgate Corner in the closing laps, only for Ellison to blast back into the lead a few corners later. Chris Burns led the race in the early stages until he crashed unhurt on lap 10. Mark Heckles recovered from a poor start to take third place.

European Superstock Championship
Donington Park
Race Result
1. James Ellison, GB, Suzuki, 24:52.807
2. Walter Tortoroglio, Italy, Suzuki, 24:53.233
3. Mark Heckles, GB, Honda, 25:01.389
4. Markus Wegscheider, Italy, Suzuki, 25:06.112
5. Dario Tosolini, Italy, Ducati, 25:08.409
6.Gary Mason, GB, Honda, 25:11.695.