Qualifying on the Saturday was once again a lottery for all riders due to the wet conditions.

During the morning Hipwell, representing the CDH Racing Team, could only manage to secure 36th place overall and eighth in the Supersport Cup.

However, the weather was more condusive to good racing during the afternoon session. This enabled Hipwell to put in a much improved performance and he ended this session in second place on the grid for the Supersport Cup and a creditable 22nd overall in the main race.

The race got under way on Sunday in bright conditions, with Hipwell losing two places overall by the end of the first lap and then another place to be in 25th by the end of lap two.

He maintained this position for two laps before moving into 24th place, still holding his third place in the Supersport Cup.

He was one second adrift of the rider in front as he upped his pace and gradually closed in to take another place.

By the end of the ninth lap he had closed this gap to less than half a second when the rider in front crashed out, elevating him to 23rd overall.

With one of the front runners dropping out on the next lap he had moved up another place, but still held his third position in the Cup section of the race.

At this stage, Hipwell was having a real battle with the rider behind as they swapped positions lap by lap.

By the end of the 10th lap it looked as though he would have to settle for third place in the Cup as his nearest rival was over 10 seconds ahead of him.

On lap 12, fortune was partly on his side as his rival ahead dropped out, putting him in second place in the Cup and 21st overall, only to be passed before the end of the lap knocking him back a place to 22nd.

As the race drew to a conclusion, Hipwell had to settle for this place at the chequered flag.

This second place in the Supersport Cup maintains his overall third place in the championship to the delight of the CDH Racing Team.