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Niall hits it on the head for crockford

From the archive, first published Wednesday 20th Jun 2001.

JOHN CROCKFORD said a big thanks to former British Superbike champion Niall Mackenzie after clocking up his best result of the season at Brands Hatch on Sunday.

The Totton rider took second place to Australian Paul Young in the British Superstock Championship round at the Kent circuit after a day's coaching from Mackenzie.

Crockford rides for the Christchurch-based Crescent Suzuki team run by Paul Denning, who explained: "Together Niall and John worked on setting up the bike then Niall spent some time `smoothing out' his riding technique.

"It proved a very useful session because John really started to show his potential at Brands Hatch and is now running into his best form just in time for his local round at Thruxton on July 1."

Although Crockford never got close enough to threaten Young, who has dominated the championship, he squeezed the big 1000cc Suzuki past Jamie Morley late in the race to relegate the Waterlooville ace to third spot on the podium - a triumph in itself for Morley is running strongly in second place in the championship.

Before Brands, Crockford had managed fifth and seventh places but, as Denning explained: "He was probably trying too hard and together with Niall, he has ironed out a few rough edges. He did some testing at Thruxton on Monday and went very well."

Crockford was leading privateer in last year's British Superbike Championship until injuries sustained in an end-of-season crash slowed him up and cost him the title.

The Superbike races at Brands were dominated by Steve Hisllop on the Ducati. The Scot won both races.

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