BRITISH 125cc contender Darren Barton closed the gap on his rivals after a typically determined ride at Silverstone.

The 1997 Supercup champion endured a fraught 20-lap race at the Grand Prix track, suffering electrical problems on his Helphire Bike Assist/Colin Appleyard Racing Honda.

But the Hoddlesden rider managed to claw his way to second behind teenager Leon Haslam, who scored his maiden victory of 1999.

Admitted Barton: "It was a very frustrating race. The leader pulled away on the fifth lap when my engine cut out with an electrical problem.

"It immediately cut back in, but I was only getting full power intermittently. Even so, I managed to peg it back to second."

The result has narrowed the gap between third-placed Barton and his nearest rivals in the drivers' standings.

Championship leader Steve Patrickson finished third, whilst Pete Jennings could only manage fifth.

Barton's 250cc team-mate, South African Shane Norval, returned to the podium with a lights-to-flag victory, crossing the finishing line a staggering six seconds ahead of his nearest rival, and clipping half a second off his own lap record.

With the British Motorcycle Grand Prix in two weeks time, the team are now taking a short break before returning to Oulton Park on Sunday, July 18.

Burnley's Neil Hodgson saw his hopes of winning this year's British Superbike title slip further away following a crushing 1-2 victory by team-mate Troy Bayliss.

Despite qualifying second, the INS Ducati rider could only manage third and fourth in the two 18-lap races at Silverstone.

Australian Bayliss now has a commanding 21-point lead over Chris Walker with Hodgson 42 points adrift in third.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.