JAMES Ellison and the Jentin Racing Superbike team secured yet another two podium positions in the British Superbike Championship at Mallory Park which has helped them maintain a healthy lead in the privateers section of this hotly contested championship.

The first qualifying session saw Kendal-based Ellison record the 17th-quickest time. With a few minor set-up changes for the afternoon session they were able to improve on this, eventually securing the 14th grid slot as the second-quickest privateer.

The first race saw Ellison make a good start and he was 13th outright after the first lap. Over the course of the race he swapped positions a number of times before eventually coming home second in the Superbike Cup and fifteenth outright.

The second Superbike race was a rather dramatic and disjointed affair with the race being red-flagged and restarted after only a few laps followed by a further two safety car appearances during the 30-lap race around the spectacular Leicestershire circuit.

Ellison initially started as the second Superbike Cup runner before moving up to first and then later slipping back to a very close second, which gave him his second podium of the day.

Team manager Bernard Toleman said that Mallory Park was a circuit they were a little concerned about when it came to tyres.

"The Jentin Yamaha R1 as an overall package is now very strong. At some circuits though we have found that it can be rather hard on tyres over a full race distance and this was one of them.

"Unfortunately today, particularly in race one where it was very warm, we did suffer a little and this is reflected in James' results. We must as a team work hard on this.' Team Principal Jon Poole reported that overall they were reasonably pleased with the weekend.

"Our priority from the start of the year has always been the Superbike Cup and we have come away from Mallory Park with another two podiums which has allowed us to maintain our lead in the championship.

"At the same time though we have always been chasing high overall race positions. We know and have proved we are good for consistent top ten finishes so when we don't quite get there it can be a little disappointing."

The Stroud-based Jentin Racing team now turn their attention once again to World Superbikes with a wildcard entry in the upcoming round at Brands Hatch at the end of July.