From a press release issued by Renegade Ducati:

DOUBLE DELIGHT FOR RENEGADE’S RUTTER

Renegade Ducati rider Michael Rutter stormed to victory in both 20 lap Race of the Year races at Mallory Park Sunday Local man Rutter, who lives just a stone’s throw away from the Leicestershire track, was able to use his in-depth circuit knowledge to take his first double victory of the year and reward the Renegade team with whom he’s endured a difficult season.

Hawk Kawasaki’s Glen Richards got the hole-shot into Gerard’s in the first race and then set about opening a three second gap between himself and the chasing pack of Virgin Mobile Yamaha mounted Gary Mason, ETI Ducati’s Sean Emmett and Rutter. Richards’ charge was halted by his Renegade rival, however, who muscled his way past both Emmett and Mason by mid-race distance.

Two laps later he’d caught and passed the Kawasaki rider and set about opening up a lead of his own. Richards tried to respond but his rear tyre had passed its best, forcing him to settle for second at the flag – 3.6 seconds behind Rutter and five seconds ahead of Emmett in third.

Rutter looked even stronger at the start of the second outing, taking control at the front from the first lap. The race was stopped a lap later, however, after Hawk Kawasaki rider Lee Jackson crashed heavily going into The Esses. Luckily he was unhurt, but he was unable to take any further part in the proceedings after his ZX-7RR was destroyed in the incident.

Jackson’s team mates, Glen Richards and Scott Smart, made up for his disappointment by streaking straight into first and second after the restart. While Richards tried to stretch out a lead, Smart battled with Rutter for second. The Renegade rider eventually made a pass stick on the fifth lap before mounting his challenge for the lead.

The Ducati rider hit the front two laps later and remained there until the flag, although his winning margin over Richards was a less comfortable 0.4 seconds. Emmett bagged his second podium of the day, while Mason and Smart rounded out the top five.

Veteran GP star Ron Haslam saw his one-off return to racing cut short, when his Renegade Ducati 998 blew up on the start finish straight on lap 15 of the first race. Ron, who was hoping to use the experience to further increase his knowledge of the superbikes he helps his son Leon set-up, was warmly applauded by the crowd for his efforts however.


RACE OF THE YEAR – RACE 1
1) Michael Rutter, Renegade Ducati. 2) Glen Richards, Hawk Kawasaki. 3) Sean Emmett, ETI Ducati. 4) Gary Mason, Virgin Mobile Yamaha. 5) Scott Smart, Hawk Kawasaki. 6) Leon Haslam, Renegade Ducati. 7) Jon Kirkham, TDB Yamaha. 8) Karl Harris, Honda Racing. 9) Lee Jackson, Hawk Kawasaki. 10) Dave Wood, Dave Wood Racing Suzuki

Fastest Lap: Michael Rutter, Ducati: 51.722, 96.74mph

RACE OF THE YEAR – RACE 2
1) Michael Rutter, Renegade Ducati. 2) Glen Richards, Hawk Kawasaki. 3) Sean Emmett, ETI Ducati. 4) Gary Mason, Virgin Mobile Yamaha. 5) Scott Smart, Hawk Kawasaki. 6) Leon Haslam, Renegade Ducati. 7) Jon Kirkham, TDB Yamaha. 8) Karl Harris, Honda Racing. 9) Malcolm Ashley, MAR/Bikerden Ducati. 10) Dave Wood, Dave Wood Racing Suzuki

Fastest Lap: Glen Richards, Kawasaki: 51.743, 96.70mph