TEAM Castrol Suzuki sidecar aces Steve Webster and Paul Woodhead got their 2004 caps UEM Europe Sidecar Championship campaign off to a flying start with a controlled win in baking 28C degrees heat at Vallelunga, Italy.
Easingwold-based Webster, on pole, was first away but was soon caught by Tim and Tristan Reeves.
Further pressure then came from Tom Hanks and Phil Biggs who dropped the nine-time world champion back to third. By half distance, however, Webster decided to siege control of the proceedings retaking Hanks for second place.
Another two laps was all he needed to reel in Reeves, and with eight laps to go the bumpy abrasive circuit he took the lead never to be headed.
At the flag Webster had a winning margin of 2.866 seconds. "It was a tough race because of the heat, and we managed to conserve our tyres a bit better than the others. It was a great start to the season, just what we needed."
Webster is re-prepared the machine for next weekend's trip to Dublin for the second round of the British Championship.
Updated: 10:06 Monday, May 17, 2004
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