IPSWICH superbike racer Kieran Murphy stormed to an incredible fourth place in the European Superstock Championships at Brands Hatch. Murphy, 22, was a wild card entry to the competition, but ended up leading the race for six laps and only just missed out on a podium spot.

IPSWICH superbike racer Kieran Murphy stormed to an incredible fourth place in the European Superstock Championships at Brands Hatch.

Murphy, 22, was a wild card entry to the competition, but ended up leading the race for six laps and only just missed out on a podium spot.

The Martlesham-based rider was pipped to pole position in the qualifying round by the Italian Walter Tortoroglio, but had a brilliant start to Sunday's race, making it to the first corner in first place.

"After that I held on for seven laps," said Murphy. "The Italian rider came past me on lap six but I passed him again at Druids Hairpin and led for another lap before I got caught by two bikes and had some trouble with my engine."

Murphy's Suzuki GSXR 1000 bike was displaying warning lights for oil levels and the fuel injection, but he took a risky decision to continue the race.

"I didn't know if the bike was about to blow up," he said. "It broke my concentration and slowed me down because I couldn't decide what to do.

"But I saw that there were only a few laps to go so I decided to carry on anyway."

But he was unable to catch the second and third placed riders.

"I was actually disappointed not to get on the podium," he said. "I had been consistently quick all weekend in the qualifiers and I led the race for so long I know I had a chance of winning it, but I was still the top British rider which I'm really pleased with."

The competition ran alongside the World Superbike Championships, also held over the weekend, and the events attracted crowds of over 130,000 people.

"It was awesome to ride at Brands Hatch, especially in front of so many people. They were all cheering for me when I was leading the race and that was incredible," said Murphy.

Mum Sue is obviously very proud.

"I was really pleased for him. He was only a wild card entry and he did really well. Mind you, I was a nervous wreck watching him. It's unbearable, but I'm delighted for him," she said.

Murphy's success at the weekend has sparked a lot of interest in him and he is now hoping to go on and compete in Assen in Holland in two weeks time.

The Brands Hatch race was already his second wild card entry into the European competition this season due to his continuing success in the British Superstock championship, where he is currently ninth.