MOTORCYCLIST Steve Heneghan aboard the Quattro Plant, Yomoto, H.C.L. Suzuki K7, suffered bad luck at the fifth round of the Metzeler Racetec National Superstock Cup at Snetterton, when mechanical problems hindered him throughout the weekend. He fought hard to finish in a well-deserved 26th position.

Steve, of West Harrow said: "It was a lower result than I was aiming for, but with the problems I had, it was a strong result. I was fast throughout the weekend - which is hard to do at this circuit - and was really disappointed to have the problems I had, otherwise it would have definitely been a finish in the points. I want to thank my sponsors for all their hard work and help."

Steve's first qualifying session went well with a provisional top 20 grid position, but unfortunately he had a crash in the second, making him unable to complete the session and therefore unable to put in any further times.

He was not seriously hurt in the incident at the end of the 160mph straight and the bike was repaired for the race the next day. The damage was minimal, with only a rear brake lever needing to be replaced, but after the race it became obvious that there was slightly more to the damage than had originally been thought.

Steve lined up on the grid on the sixth row and when the lights went out he made a storming start, making it up into the top 15 after the first corner, but as he could not put his confidence in the brakes fully, after they had not lasted in the earlier sessions, he lost places in the following corners, taking him backwards in the field.

Steve fought hard over the remaining laps and managed his way back to a strong 26th position - more than a second in front of the following rider.

Although slightly disheartened by the weekend, the team now has a five week break from racing and with new parts arriving in that time, Steve looks to be strong at the two race next round at Knockhill in Scotland, on July 1.