91传媒

Test Day

鈥淲e had a good test day weather-wise, trying to find a good bike setup and work on a few markers that needed improvement from two weeks before. Towards the end of the day, I started to struggle on old tyres and, really feeling like we were getting the most out of the set- up, left some thinking to do overnight.鈥�

Qualifying

鈥淜nowing that with a new tyre in for qualifying the lap time would be better, but not by much, as the feeling we would have liked from the bike on the test day just wasn鈥檛 there. Luckily, we received some mega help from a chap in the paddock, Brad Mercer, on setup direction, which made a massive difference. We managed a PB of 1.57.4, which put us P15 overall and P4 in class.

鈥淥f course, we would have liked a little more, but it confirmed we were heading in the right direction, so continued with that to take into race one.鈥�

Race 1

鈥淢ade a good start and managed to get into P12 by lap 2. Bike felt the best ever until lap 5 when it started to lose rear grip and we just couldn鈥檛 drive out of the turns enough to stay in the 56s. The first race back as well took its toll, and we couldn鈥檛 hold onto the pack in front. Going into the last lap there was nothing to be gained or lost so brought it home in 11th overall and 2nd in class behind Phil Crowe. Very happy with this and managed a pb of 1.56.7.鈥�

Race 2

鈥淯nfortunately, there was no morning practice due to a damp track which was a real shame. We wanted to try a new setting to help maintain more rear grip. Straight in to race 2 confident we could put in a better result. Again, a good start and in with a shout of the front lads until a red flag on lap 2. Rider high-sided immediately in front of me exiting Agostini. I did well to avoid bike and rider to be fair. Hope the rider is ok.鈥�

6-Lap Restart

鈥�Not as good a start this time. Having to make up places quickly to get back with the front pack put us in the 55s! Loved it. Held on to Dan Fricker for most of the race – learning so much. It was still cold at this point before the sun got up and there wasn鈥檛 enough pressure in the front tyre. It wasn鈥檛 helping as we tried to set up a pass on the last lap. 聽Trying to push a little more led to a mistake going onto the back straight which cost me a place to Tommy Fielding, so crossed the line just behind Tommy and Fricker. Nevertheless, a lot learnt, P10 overall and P1 in class and a new pb of 1.55.5. I鈥檒l take that.鈥�

Race 3

鈥淢ore changes again to the bike and so ready for this one. Sure, we could set a strong pace and last the race, but then had the worst start we have ever had. Lost a good 6 places, so that was plan A out the window, but it set up for an enjoyable race. Made up some places as soon as we could then closed the gap to Caiden Wilkinson. Spent far too long trying to set up a pass until he ran wide at Oggies. This allowed Steven Duncan and Wilfrid Turner to catch up and instantly Duncan made a pass on the back straight with one lap to go. Passed him back at T2, around the outside of all places, and was sure we would go on to win now. But then lost out again on the back straight meaning it was looking like a last turn pass if we were going to take the win. Was about to set up the pass, but Wilfred was inches away waiting for me to open the door, so had to position semi-defensive and leaving no option but to settle for 2nd in class and 10th overall.

鈥淚t鈥檚 been a while since racing that close for that distance so at least my racecraft got a workout. I enjoyed it but would do things differently next time. I was disappointed not to get that win but, for the first meeting back and getting into the 55鈥檚 was fine by me.

鈥淲e have learnt so much this weekend and can鈥檛 wait to build on this at Brands.

鈥淲e are set for a cheeky run out with Bemsee at Oulton Park next week (3-5 April), before heading to the best track in the UK that is Brands Hatch GP circuit on the 24th of April.

鈥淭hanks so much to the sponsors and all the support that make it possible.鈥�