SWINDON racer Fraser Rogers ended the 2021 British Superbikes National Superstock championship in fourth despite a third-place finish in the final round at Brands Hatch.
Stepping onto the podium one last time following another superb ride aboard his Aprilia RSV4, Rogers missed out on third overall by 15 points.
The IN Competition team rider enjoyed the perfect practice day though as he topped the time sheet in both sessions, leaving a modest gap to the rest of the field, despite inconsistent weather conditions at the Kent circuit.
Qualifying was more of a challenge with Taylor Mackenzie and Billy McConnell jostling for the top spot in the championship.
Rogers was in the conversation to start Sunday’s final race on the front row, but the strong quality of the field shone through and the Swindon racer slipped down to fifth - just 0.1 seconds off McConnell’s lead time.
Knowing he would have to win the final race to have any chance of stepping up onto the podium for the overall championship, Rogers remained laser-focused as he made his way down to the startline.
Rogers’ Aprilia launched off the line, but in the madness that is the first corner, the Swindon man was pushed wide going into the first corner which dropped him back to sixth as the race neatened out.
The IN Competition racer stayed in sixth for another couple of laps before making his move to overtake both Shane Richardson and Tom Ward into fourth.
Lewis Rollo was hot on Rogers’ heels as the race continued, but the Swindon man defended well to hold his place.
And on the final lap, Rogers was able to taste success one last time after he made a move on Taylor Mackenzie, who ran slightly wide, leaving a gap for the IN Competition man to go through.
Rogers took the chequered flag in third and was delighted to be back on the podium for one final time.
Speaking to team media after the race, Rogers said: “P3 to end the season is great. I honestly can’t thank my team enough for the work this season. It’s been a fantastic year!”
Fraser Rogers with friend Brad Jones who suffered a bad accident earlier this season Photo: Camipix Photography
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