SWINDON’S newly-crowned National Junior Superstock champion Max Cook rounded off his sparkling 2022 season with a highly-impressive wildcard appearance in the Quattro Plant Supersport Championship at Brands Hatch recently.

With championship rules dictating riders who finish in the top three are not allowed to return the following season, the runaway leader in his class took the opportunity in British Superbikes’ season finale to experience competitive racing on a more powerful machine.

Following two free-practice finishes of 13th and 15th among a 37-rider field on Friday, Cook locked down 15th for the first race of the weekend on Saturday in the morning’s qualifying session.

The Swindon talent recovered from a steady start to take 10th in race one, passing several riders in the final few laps.

Ahead of Sunday’s second outing, Cook received his Junior Superstock title in front of considerable crowds that lined the banks of the Kent circuit.

Moments later, it was back to business for the second and final race of the weekend. Starting 13th, Cook made sensational progress throughout the race to reach fourth. But with tyre life to consider for the first time in his career, Cook paid the price for ripping through the field, and his deteriorating rear wheel saw him end up in a creditable ninth.

Speaking after a highly-encouraging weekend aboard his 600cc machine, Cook said: “I am so happy to win the 2022 Junior Superstock Championship with Binch Racing. It has been by far my favourite year of racing.

“From being dropped by Dorna in 2020, I was close to retiring in 2021. I still can’t believe we are champions.

“All the guys at Binch have gone above and beyond to give me the best package possible to win. I’m so happy I delivered for them, our families, our sponsors and our fans!

“A huge thank you to Binch Racing and my personal sponsors for making this year happen!”

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Meanwhile, fellow Swindon racer Charlie Nesbitt landed the prestigious Race of the Year title at Mallory Park.

The ROTY is a one-day meeting which attracts a variety of riders and machinery, and previous winners include Barry Sheene, Giacomo Agostini, Mike Hailwood, Kenny Roberts and John Cooper.

Always in contention, Nesbitt kept his bike upright in damp conditions to come home almost half a second in front of his closest rival at the end of 20 laps.

After being presented his trophy by legend, Cooper, Nesbitt said: “It was a really fun day, even if the weather did try to put a dampener on things. To get a win at ROTY is something to remember for a long time, and it was made even more special to have the historic trophy presented to me by legend John Cooper.”