John Hopkins and Garry McCoy found themselves battling a slightly unpredictable Jeremy McWilliams at Phillip Island yesterday, the pair both being on the receiving end of some firm moves from the tough Ulsterman.
Proton Team KR rider McWilliams had started from the third row of the grid and fought throughout the race with the Suzuki of Hopkins and Kawasaki of McCoy, beating them both to claim 11th at the finish.
"Just after the start McWilliams came charging through, he seemed to be the only guy not going in a straight line," said McCoy, who would race McWilliams for almost all the 27 laps, before struggling with tyre grip and slipping behind both he and Hopkins at the end.
"I got mixed up with McCoy and Mc
Williams, and we were in a bit of a battle, and slowing each other up," added Hopkins. "That McWilliams is an evil little rascal! Some of his moves were pretty heavy. I would have liked to get free, but it wasn't possible."
McWilliams certainly wasn't going to apologise for his hard riding, but did reveal he had a mechanical problem which contributed to his early race behaviour.
"I had a fuelling problem in the early stages and the engine kept pushing with the throttle closed. I nearly came into the pits, but I didn't skittle anybody because of it, and on about the third lap it came better," he said. "I was having a big battle with McCoy and Hopkins. It was very frustrating to get passed on the straight, and have to battle it all back at the hairpins.
"Unfortunately Tamada came through on the Honda, and I couldn't do anything about him. But I managed to lose the other two. I enjoyed the race, and it's good to have some points and see the guys in the team happy, after all their hard work. Maybe it will even bring a smile to the Old Bugger's face!" he concluded, referring to team owner
Kenny Roberts, who was not in Australia.
"Jeremy had a great ride. It was really good to see our bike up there racing with the group, and finishing ahead of them," declared Proton KR team manager Chuck Aksland. "I don't think he had much chance to get bored!"
