Padgett's riders survive Oulton drama.

A major incident in the second British Superbike race involving both Rizla Suzuki riders brought a premature end to the weekend's racing at Oulton Park on bank holiday Monday.

Oil from John Reynolds' blown engine resulted in mayhem as first Reynolds and then teammate Karl Harris followed by Dean Thomas, Dean Ellison and Gary Mason fell victim to the slippery surface on the run into Cascades.

Harris suffered multiple injuries and concussion in the incident, which saw his race-bike disintegrate in dramatic fashion, launching its fuel tank 60ft into the air. The race was immediately red-flagged and after much deliberation the riders decided the contaminated track surface was unsafe. The Superbike result was therefore declared as of the previous lap to the stoppage and the supporting 125 race was cancelled.

The Padgett's team suffered it's own minor Oulton drama when rider Phil Giles was disqualified from Sunday's Superpole having posted 15th fastest time in qualifying. Giles' clutch showed signs of slipping, requiring a change before the Superpole competition. Unfortunately the change could not be completed before the time limit and the Nottingham rider missed his slot by the narrowest of margins.

Under the current rules, this meant Giles losing his qualifying time and having to start from the back of the grid, not just the back of the 16 Superpole riders.

Despite being the fastest Suzuki through the sector speed trap in the morning warm-up Giles struggled to make up for the poor grid position, finishing a respectable 16th in race 1 and a disappointing 19th in the shortened race 2.

"It was right not to re-start the second race with the track in such a slippery condition, but it would have been nice to have the opportunity to get the bike into a more representative finishing position," said the frustrated 26-year-old.

Teammate Marty Nutt, still not 100 per cent due to a foot injury that kept him out for the first two events of the season, continued his steep Superbike learning curve but found it difficult to optimise the big Suzuki for the twisty Cheshire track.

"It's not an easy track if you're still learning the bike," said the Ulsterman, "but we've got Snetterton next and with the testing schedule we've got planned I'm looking forward to making up some of the lost ground."