Riding the four-year-old 1000cc Suzuki GSX-R1000, which had been totally rebuilt following on the engine problems in the previous round, Bridewell suffered with electronic dramas during Saturday's free practice sessions and the team only managed to rectify the situation in time for Sunday's Swan Combi 50 Roll for Poll whereby he qualified in 17th position.


In front of a capacity crowd who were enjoying the Bank Holiday sunshine, Bridewell got a good start in the opening 18-lap race and was holding third position in the Mirror.co.uk Cup class going into the final lap, however a smart move on rival Peter Hickman saw him snatch runner-up spot in the class and in doing so claimed 13th place overall after a determined ride.


In the second 18-lap encounter, again Bridewell made a decent start and such was the pace he circulated within the leading bunch who were battling for the final podium place. As the race progressed the 21-year-old from Etchilhampton near Devizes in Wiltshire gradually closed in on runaway leader Gary Mason and recorded his second podium placing of the weekend claiming tenth overall for good measure.


As a result Bridewell has consolidated fifth position in the Mirror.co.uk Cup going into the next round at Croft in North Yorkshire whereby he is confident of more success.


"If anybody can ride this old girl any harder than that then they're welcome to give it a go!" exclaimed Bridewell afterwards. "We just need to make sure we have the budget to do Croft as the engine blow up made a big dent in it but after this weekend I'm pretty sure that given half a chance we can get inside the top ten once again overall and take the game to Gary Mason and the Quay Garage Honda team. It's been a good weekend at Cadwell and our intention is to continue our strong results towards the end of the season but I'm looking at wins rather than podiums from now on," concluded Tom.

Race One Result

1, Leon Camier (Yamaha)
2, Stuart Easton (Honda)
3, James Ellison (Yamaha)
4, Ian Lowry (Suzuki)
5, Simon Andrews (Kawasaki)
6, Julien Da Costa (Kawasaki)
7, Karl Muggeridge (Honda)
8, Sylvain Guintoli (Suzuki)
9, John Laverty (Kawasaki)
10, Gary Mason (Honda)
11, Chris Walker (Yamaha)
12, John McGuinness (Honda)
13, Tommy Bridewell (Team NB Suzuki)

Race Two Result

1, James Ellison (Yamaha)
2, Stuart Easton (Honda)
3, Simon Andrews (Kawasaki)
4, Julien Da Costa (Kawasaki)
5, John Laverty (Kawasaki)
6, Chris Walker (Yamaha)
7, Sylvain Guintoli (Suzuki)
8, Karl Harris (Honda)
9, Gary Mason (Honda)
10, Tommy Bridewell (Team NB Suzuki)

Mirror.co.uk Cup Championship Positions (after round 19)

1, Gary Mason (Honda) 400.5pts
2, Peter Hickman (Yamaha) 289pts
3, Martin Jessopp (Honda) 244pts
4, Tom Tunstall (Honda) 217.5pts
5, Tommy Bridewell (Team NB Suzuki) 148pts
6, Kenny Gilbertson (Kawasaki) 85pts

Picture attached: Tom Bridewell in action at Cadwell Park today, courtesy of Paul Korkus.