Luca Wilkinson aka El Loco #76

Friday Practice

“Friday’s practice went well. Small issue with the bike, but it wasn’t affecting my lap times, so we just rode around it.�

Saturday

Qualifying

“Went out and pushed on a bit, I knew I didn’t have to put it on pole, so I just rode smart and pushed for a few laps and put it on P2 with Ollie Sims on P1, with our lap times separated by 0.03 of a second.

Race 1

“Started the race but I noticed Ollie hadn’t gone to the grid. I pulled an 8-second lead after 3 laps and just brought it home in 1st place. Unfortunately, I came in to find out Ollie had crashed in the Minitwins qualifying and broken his collarbone.

Race 2

“Pretty similar to race 1; a good start, pulled a big gap and just kept at a consistent pace and brought it home in 1st place and secured the championship win.�

Sunday

Race 3

“It was cold so I had to think about how to ride so I didn’t overdo it. I put a gap to 2nd and brought it home in 1st place.â€�Ìý

Race 4

“My 1st wet race! Good start and just rode smart but after a few laps I caught some back-markers and lost a lot of time letting a few other riders catch. Sean took me into turn 1 after I ran wide, but I retook the position and pulled a little gap to bring it back home in 1st for the last time of the year and with the championship win.

“Fantastic last round with 4 from 4 wins. Big shout out to Ollie who I’ve battled hard with all year, not the way I wanted the year to end. GWS mate.

“Thank you each & every one of our sponsors supporters and friends.�

Luca Wilkinson

Round 2 – Oulton Park

“So, after the incredible (until it wasn’t) weekend at Brands, it’s been a full-on two weeks to get the bike fixed & ready forÌýBemseeÌýRound 2ÌýOulton Park.

“We owe a massive thanks to TeamÌýNW RacingÌýand a lot of other people for the huge effort to sort the bike –Ìýyou sure are the best!

“With beautiful weather, it was amazing to be at this iconic track for Luca’s first time.

We knew we would have some teething issues with the bike having such a big rebuild, but the team worked flawlessly and by the last three sessions, we were in a good position.

“Friday Qualifying went great, finishing P8 – P3 in class.

“Race 1 – Great race with Luca taking the F400 lead and finishing P9 – P3 in class. Very happy with that, having never ridden the track before and knowing the calibre of the riders in the F400.

“Race 2 – Another great start and again fighting for 3rd, Luca finished P4 in class behind the flyingÌýTeam Marshall Racing.

“Race 3 – Great start and into the class lead down into Cascades, Luca pushed hard and again managed a P3 in class behindÌýDavid Lindemann andÌýCraig Dance.

“We are so happy with the results, learning every lap, following some amazing riders who are happy to help and give advice to help Luca improve – we have to say a huge thanks for this it’s an incredible gesture and much appreciated. Each race Luca managed to close the gap to the class leaders, which is our aim this year.�

Zack Weston

Round 2 – Oulton Park

“Qualifying – After a good practice, I was feeling good on the bike and was happy with the setup. I didn’t get out at the front, but I was still able to set my laps on my own and put it on the front row!

“Race 1 – I got an amazing start from P2 and pulled the holeshot. After leading for a few laps and setting good pace, Nathan Harrison came past so I stuck in and tagged onto the back of him, finishing P2.Ìý

“Race 2 – After a good race 1, I was hoping for the same in race 2, it was a good first half of the race starting in P2 and pulling on P3, but the second half I struggled really bad with rear grip and dropped back into p3.Ìý

“Race 3 – After a disappointing race 2, I put everything into race 3. I didn’t get a good start, dropping back to P3, so I sent it into the lead down cascades T3. After a lot of moves and close racing, it came down to the last corner. I tried to drag it to the line but missed out on P1 by 0.03 seconds.

“Overall, a great weekend of racing, time with family and friends and some of our amazing sponsors.

“Huge thank you to all of my sponsors.�

Image credits:

Luca Wilkinson

“The dust has settled on the first race weekend on the newÌýKawasaki UKÌýZX-4RR at Brands Hatch and what an amazing weekend it was.

“First, we have to thank theÌýNW RacingÌýteam for all the support coming into this weekend. We have worked hard and everything was in place with the setup lookingÌýgreat.

“With the weather bright and sunny but very cold, in Friday practice we just chipped away. Happy with progress and with the whole team having put in good times, we were ready for qualifying.

“Racing on a mixed grid consisting of SuperTwins, Thunderbike Sport and the F400s made for an interesting mix of bikes. Qualifying went really well and Luca ended up P6 overall and P2 in class behind the ever-quickÌýCraig Dance.

“Race 1 – Great race where Luca ended up in P1 in class and 11th overall. Not a bad start.

“Race 2 – With the sun setting, it had gone very cold. Luca carried on pushing and put in a PB but didn’t have the pace to go with Craig and came home P2 in class and P12 overall.

“Race 3 – Great start and into the class lead down into Paddock Hill, after that Luca lead from start to finish to get P1 in class and P6 overall.

“Race 3 – Again, last race of the day and the sun was going down and the temperature was again dropping. Another great start and following Craig who was setting a great pace. Hitting PBs on every lap, Luca took advantage of a back marker and managed to pass Craig on the Brabham Straight. Unfortunately, that’s where the weekend went down fast. Coming into Graham Hill Luca lost the front on the brakes. He was fine but the bike decided to protest.

“Overall, it was a fantastic weekend for not only Luca but the whole team.â€�

Zack Weston

“Practice: I went out thinking it would take some time to get up to speed, but I felt really comfortable and confident on the bike, and I was able to get up to speed straight away, surprising myself and the team.

“Qualifying: After a good practice, I was confident going into qualifying. I didn’t quite get out where I wanted to but I was able to dig in and set a lap time that put me on the front row!

“Race 1: After an amazing qualifying, I was ready for race 1. I didn’t get the best start but it was a long race so I knew it was fine, it was a difficult race as it was 18 laps and I was struggling with rear grip but I managed it to the end and missed out on a podium by 0.1 seconds, to achieve P4.

“Race 2: After missing out on a podium in race one, I went for it in race 2, I got a good start getting into P2 into turn 1 and then taking the lead into turn 2 –Ìýit was a good race with lots of changes in positions and I was able to get up into P2 and finally get the podium.

“Race 3: After a good start, I had a huge slide out of T3 and dropped back 6 positions, I thought my race was finished, after a couple of laps I got back into my rhythm and picked riders of one by one, going onto the last lap I was in p4 and gave it everything and was able to get P3 on the line.

“Overall, a great weekend with some amazing racing, time with friends and family along with a some of our amazing sponsors and Club35 members.�