TEAM Castrol Suzuki sidecar duo Steve Webster and Paul Woodhead extended their lead in the 2004 UEM European Sidecar Championship title chase with a fine win at rain-lashed Most in the Czech Republic.

The maximum 25-point haul puts Webster up on 75 points after three races, 19 points ahead of nearest rivals Tom Hanks and Phil Biggs.

The weather had tried hard to disrupt the proceedings, however, with the race day schedule hastily rearranged around heavy downpours, and the race itself reduced in length by two laps.

The sidecars finally got out later than planned but by then they thankfully had a dry track in front of them.

Despite a poor start, this time partially down to pole qualifier, Webbo's wish to be delicate with a new clutch, the Easingwold ace came out a comfortable winner.

"We were about sixth away - another bad start - and it took a few laps to fight through to the front. It was quite hard getting past Tim Reeves for the lead. He kept shutting the door on me and making his bike as wide as possible - good race tactics for him, so no complaints."

Reeves had wrested the lead from Finland's Pekka Paivarinta on lap two, and in turn Paivarinta had to fight off Hanks, as Webster was working up through the field from his first lap sixth place.

By the start of lap four Webster had taken Hanks for second place and was after race leader Reeves.

With five laps of the shortened-to 16-lap race to go, Webster finally dispossessed Reeves of the lead, and went on to win by almost four and a half seconds.

There was a mere half-second between Hanks and Reeves at the flag.

"We had a bit of a power advantage over Reeves though because we were able to use the 2004 spec GSXR1000 engine for the first time. It's got a lot more midrange, and a bit more power at the top as well. It was the first time we've raced it, and it was just perfect."

Webster arrived at the track last Thursday, and the teams were advised not to pitch the truck awnings due to dire warnings of heavy storms.

"I've never seen anything like it on Thursday night, easily the worst storm I've ever seen anywhere. The lightning was amazing and I thought it looked like the whole weekend meeting would be completely cancelled. Luckily the very worst of it passed, and although we were late racing, we did at least get a dry track. Despite the weather we've had a good weekend, and we're very happy with the season so far. We've now got a couple of weeks off before Brands Hatch and the British Championship at the end of the month," said a happy Webster.

The next race in the European series is August 7 at Anderstorp in Sweden, scene of Webster's memorable 1987 first World Championship title win.

Updated: 10:54 Monday, July 12, 2004