The young Australian had a successful Superbike debut taking a third place finish. McConnell has had a strong season at British Supersport level scoring four podiums in the last four races. Competing against a host of British Superbike regulars, McConnell made an effortless transition to the bigger machinery.
Rizla Suzuki's, Cal Crutchlow dominated the race from the start with McConnell and Scott Smart close behind battling it out for second position. In the closing stages of the race McConnell fell victim to a very slow speed crash at the hairpin. Undeterred he re-mounted and raced hard race to salvage the last spot on the podium, finishing just ahead of James Haydon.
"It was a great race but full of drama!” exclaimed McConnell, “Scott and I were battling it out for second and third for the most part. I got caught up in some backmarkers and tucked the front and went down. I managed to get back on but Haydon was right on me, I pushed really hard on a beaten up bike in the closing laps but I was rewarded with a third.”
He was thrilled to have finished his season on such a high, “What a fantastic way to end the season, and a great way to thank my hard working team. Another podium and more importantly a podium on my first outing on a Superbike this year, I hope to be doing more of the same next year."
British Superbike Cup champion, Tristan Palmer was McConnell's team-mate for the event and managed a very respectable fifth position. 2007 Virgin Media Cup contender, David Paton had his first outing at
Mallory Park onboard the Virgin Media Yamaha Supersport bike. Despite a big crash in morning practice he composed himself to qualify for the main event. However, an oil leak from another competitor's bike left the 18-year old Scot struggling with vision problems due to a continuous layer of oil covering his visor.
