Moto Rapido Ducati’s Scott Smart grabbed second place in today’s Metzeler National Superstock 1000 race at Croft this afternoon after a difficult weekend which saw technical problems rule him out of most of practice and qualifying.

The team suffered big problems through the whole weekend with the 1198S breaking an oil cooler in first qualifying practice, leaving Smart with only 20 laps to get the bike dialed in for the 15-lap race.

As the lights went out, Smart got a good start and went into the first turn in fourth, making up one spot from his fifth place on the grid. Following the Padgett’s Honda pairing of Steve Brogan and John McGuinness, and 2009 Champion Alastair Seeley, Smart kept a watching brief lapping at the same pace as the leaders but couldn’t find a place to get through.

On the final lap, Smart was right with the leading four going into the last corner when Brogan tried a move to pass Seeley and forced both of them wide, allowing McGuinness and Smart through.

Smart tried to dive inside McGuinness for the lead but the 15-time TT winner shut the door on the exit and Smart had nowhere to go. On the run to the line, a main bearing let go and the bike kicked sideways. The former 500GP rider had to whip the throttle in to avoid a nasty crash but still managed to cross the line second after Seeley took evasive action.

“After the oil cooler had a puncture in qualifying and spreading oil all over the track, I wasn’t very hopeful as we only did about 17 laps in the second session,” said Smart. “I managed to get fifth on the grid and needed a good start and got away with Seeley and the Padgett’s boys.

“I had the pace to live with them until half distance and then they went into the 1’23s for a couple of laps. For some reason, none of them could keep that pace up and they came back to me and on the last lap I knew I could get past McGuinness but we were obviously both waiting for the last-corner melee.

“After Brogan and Seeley tangled, I thought I might nip under McGuinness but he shut the door and when I throttled on for the line, something let go and my bike went sideways. I had the clutch covered and saved it but it was a case of choosing between jumping into the wall or Alastair’s front wheel.”

Moto Rapido team manager Steve Moore added: “We had a hard weekend with the oil cooler damage on one bike eliminating most of free practice and qualifying. Scott rode a great race and did well to hang onto the bike when it blew in the race.”

The team are also pleased to announce that Objektum Venues will remain as a major sponsor for the remainder of the 2009 season.