Double podium success for Cameron Horsman

On Saturday, Lewisham’s Cameron Horsman, took his first podium in the British GP2 Cup, when he finished third. Then on Sunday the Chassis Factory / Nova Go Racing rider went one step further finishing second in this Moto2 support series of the British Superbikes Championship at Silverstone.

Being 7th quickest after Friday’s practice sessions in the GP2 category,Horsman upped his pace in qualifying to put himself 4th in class and 17th overall on the combined British GP2 Cup/Supersport grid with a time of 56.686.

The first race of the weekend was an 18-lap Sprint Race of the 1.6 mile Silverstone National circuit. Horsman made a satisfactory start holding his position on the opening lap, managing to make up two places by lap four. The number 72 continued running in fourth spot in the GP2 class up to the middle of the race.

Horsman then caught and overtook fellow GP2 rider Dan Jones. Although in third place he didn’t sit back. He had found a good rhythm and began to close in on the number 86 of Charlie Nesbitt.

With two laps to go he overtook Nesbitt to move into second spot. Nesbitt hit back the following lap and although Horsman pushed hard he could not find a way back and crossed the line 0.061 seconds behind for what was a superb third place.

Race one had already proved a fantastic result for the rider from Lewisham but Horsman achieved an even better result in race two.

The feature race was 26 laps long with Horsman starting 16th on the grid and 5th in the GP2 class. Caught up in the frantic opening corners he slid to 6th in the GP2 category on the opening lap.

It didn’t take long for him to find his stride though. On lap three he was running 16th overall and was the 4th GP2 machine in the race after passing team mate Tom Oliver.

Shortly after, the safety car was deployed after a three rider crash. Horsman found himself riding in third position just behind Charlie Nesbitt in second and Alastair Seeley who led the GP2 class.

After several laps the safety car pulled into pit lane and the now bunched up field were racing again. Nesbitt overtook his team mate, Seeley and led the GP2 category. On lap 14, just after the halfway point of the race, Horsman also overtook Seeley to move into second spot.

By the end of lap 14 Horsman was right on the back wheel of Nesbitt and fighting for the lead. Unfortunately for Nesbitt, he suffered a mechanical issue and had to retire. Horsman was now out front but right behind him were the experienced Seeley and Chassis Factory Nova Racing team mate, Tom Oliver.

Horsman briefly overtook Westmoreland putting the supersport rider between him and the other two GP2 riders but Westmoreland quickly regained the position. The next time Horsman overtook Westmoreland the other two GP2 riders were able to follow.

Horsman was able to manage the pressure of the two rivals behind well. He looked set for a possible first British GP2 Cup victory. Unfortunately, on the penultimate lap a Supersport rider suffered an issue with his bike and Horsman had to ease off. This enabled his team mate Oliver to ride round the outside of them and take the race lead.

Horsman had to settle for second place at the flag but it had been a superbly successful weekend for the youngster from Lewisham.

Cameron Horsman said, “It was great to achieve my first podium. Even better to make it two in the same weekend! I’m not too disappointed to miss out on the win as it went to my team mate. The bike was superb so I must thank Chassis Factory and Nova Go Racing. We just got faster and faster all weekend. I set my best lap time of the weekend in the final race.”

Cameron Horsman is fifth in the championship standings on 67 points.

The fourth round of the series takes place at Oulton Park from the 18th to 20th September.

Words: Jeremy Ryan
Photos: Bonnie Lane