Andrews maintains third after 'strange weekend'.

A bizarre series of events at Rockingham "gifted" Red Piranha Racing rider Simon Andrews the number three spot on the grid leading to a fighting fifth place finish, which allowed him to maintain third place in the British Supersport Championship.

Problems with wet paint on the circuit stopped racing for most of Friday and Saturday resulting in schedules being completely rearranged to accommodate for the delays. The end result being that the 125cc and Superstock races were cancelled.

The Supersport riders had two practice sessions late on Saturday with the grid decided by current championship standing which "gifted" Andrews another front row grid position - although team manager Pete Jennings was unimpressed.

"This situation with the paint on the track has cost a day and a half of racing. We've been sitting around with nothing to do, it's all been a little frustrating. The ones I really feel sorry for are the 125cc and Superstock riders who were sent home without turning a wheel in anger," he said.

After all the dramas, Andrews and the team were just happy to be racing in their usual slot between the Superbike races, but a poor start left him with plenty to do.

"I'm just glad to finally get out there, this has been a very strange weekend," he began. "I got mugged at the start and slipped to ninth or tenth then fought my way back up to fifth. I pulled in Crockford and was lining him up on the last lap when the yellow flags came out making it impossible to pass him."

The team are now in preparation for the international event of the season at Mondello Park, Ireland in two weeks time.