Castrol Honda British Supersport riders John McGuinness and Kirk McCarthy started their 2001 campaigns with second and third place finishes respectively in last weeken’s Race of the Year Supersport 600 event at Mallory Park.

The 18-lap race around the 1.37-mile Leicestershire circuit was won by Yamaha’s Matt Lewellyn after McCarthy had set the fastest time in this morning’s qualifying session to start the race from pole position.

McCarthy led into the first Gerrards turn on the opening lap and held his lead until lap five when Llewellyn passed him at Mallory’s Lakeside Esses. Three laps later, McCarthy’s Honda appeared to cut out on the approach to the hairpin, dropping the Australian rider to seventh place.

McCarthy – riding his 2000 race machine while waiting for the new Castrol Honda CBR600F Sport to be prepared for next weekend’s British Supersport opener at Donington Park – had pulled back to third by lap 14, however, and crossed the line four and a half seconds behind his team-mate.

"The engine just cut out," said McCarthy, 31. "I managed to bump start it again but I’d lost a few places by then. It was good to get back to third from there but the track was pretty greasy so I had to be careful."

McGuinness, in his first competitive ride for the team since breaking his leg at Cadwell Park last year, also rode in the main Race of the Year against factory superbikes and 1000cc SuperStock machines, finishing in eighth place and the first 600cc machine across the line.

"I’m pretty happy with both races," said the 26-year-old Lancastrian. "Today was a big test for me as the first real race over a British championship distance since last year’s crash. The leg feels strong and I’m not too tired, so I’m confident for next weekend – especially as we get our new CBRs then."

Results – Race of the Year, Supersport 600 (Mallory Park: 1.37 miles, 18 laps): 
1 Matt Llewellyn (Yamaha) 15m17.15s, 
2 John McGuinness (Castrol Honda) 15:22.97, 
3 Kirk McCarthy (Castrol Honda) 15:27.27, 
4 Woolsey Coulter (Suzuki) 15:29.50, 
5 Paul Young (Suzuki) 15:29.77, 
6 Richard Norris (Yamaha) 15:39.18, 
7 Darren Fry (Yamaha) 15:40.08, 
8 Peter Baker (Honda) 15:45.87, 
9 Martin Appleyard (Yamaha) 15:54.22, 
10 Mark Brewster (Kawasaki) 16:01.45

Opening British Supersport Championship round – 1 April, Donington Park