A SOMERSET motorcycle racer has claimed second spot in the NG Road Racing Championships 1300cc 2023 Streetstock category.

Damon Smith, from Street, did enough in the final race of the season at Cadwell Park in Lincolnshire to claim second spot overall.

After the season concluded, Smith said: "I have worked so hard during the year and had my most successful season ever with a total of nine podium finishes, led a race, claimed a fastest lap at Brands Hatch and came close to my first win."

He added: "With all the problems with the bike over the weekend despite it being faultless all year, the feeling of relief on the slow down lap back to the pits was amazing.

"It was a shame I couldn't finish off the year with more podiums but the end target was achieved."

At the final race, with it being the final deciding weekend for the runner up position in the 1300cc Streetstock Championship, the main aim for Smith was to maintain the almost comfortable points gap between him and Ade Walbridge who was 35 points behind in third.

Disaster struck on the last lap on the Saturday as the bike suffered a complete electrical power loss and Smith coasted to a halt with half a lap to go.

This meant that in Race Two on the Sunday, Smith had to start from the back of the grid.

Amazingly he made up the places and finished in fourth place, just behind championship rival Ade Walbridge who was in 3rd place.

This now reduced the points to 19, going into the final race.

In Race Three, Smith had some more minor problems with the bike but managed a 4th place finish, which was enough to secure second place overall in the championship.

Smith finished by thanking all of his sponsors and supporters for their help.

He said: "As always I would like to thank my sponsors most of whom have been part of the team for many years.

"Andy Forbes-Buckingham of AFB Motorcycles , Roger Stacey of RA Stacey Plant Hire, Adi Sully of Vehicle life support, Dan Howley of 26Fit, Paul Redmore and Judith Redmore of PJ Parcels, Mark Hawks of MPH Telecom, Bunny Rabbetts of A303 Motorcycle Services Ltd, Carl Woodward of Woodward Insurance and Mortgage Services Ltd, Mark Ambrosini and Julie Williams of Ambrosini Construction Group, Ian 'Salty'  Ian Thomas of Salty's Black Gold Coffee, Paul Cosh of FWE Training Ltd,  Rob Morgan of Forme Glass, Dr Delia, Joe Degregorio, and Michelin Motorcycle.

"Also thanks for the fantastic pictures provided by Gordon Brady and Ian Young and a special thanks to all the Club 23 members."