Hodge's GSX-R victory

Lee Hodge maintained his domination of the 2007 ACU Suzuki GSX-R Trophy series with victory in round two of the competition at Croft, North Yorkshire on Sunday.

On a track made treacherous by rain, the 26-year-old builder from Chesham, Buckinghamshire, winner of the opening race at Brands Hatch, rode superbly to win the 12-lap event by a comfortable eight seconds margin from his closest rival, Mike McLean.

McLean, 22, only started racing at the start of last season and was down in fifth place at the end of the opening lap. But he then set the fastest lap of the race as he charged through to move into second place halfway through the race.

With Hodge out on his own McLean was left to battle with Les Tilcock for second place. Tilcock (29 from Dunstable) was racing through the pain barrier after crashing at Brands Hatch in the opening round the previous weekend and cracking a couple of ribs.

Jay Dunn led in the early stages, but the 17-year-old crashed out on lap five while running second.

Despite winning the opening two rounds Hodge is only second in the points standings, because McLean played his Joker, to double his score in round two. McLean has 51 points to Hodge’s 50, with Dunn, who played his Joker at Brands Hatch, third on 40.