BSB round 2 oulton park

Photo by Glyn Richardson

Race Report


Oulton Park Round 2


3rd/4th/5th May 2014


Saturday
Saturday started with FP1 and we didn't change the bike from the Oulton Park test a week before, so I just started getting back into the track and learning my way round on a 600! I was getting quicker but on lap 5 at Knickerbrook I ran a little bit wide and high sided off the bike. I smacked my foot into the ground and pull my wrist back so they were sore! But the bike wasn't too bad and we had it all back together for FP2, FP2 went well was getting quicker and the bike was feeling good, I ended up 7th EVO but I knew I'd get quicker as after my off it put me a session behind everyone, so I was looking forward to tomorrows qualifying and race.


Sunday
Qualifying was at 12.55 and for the first 15 mins I was getting going on an old tyre then came in for a new one with 15mins to go, I was on my flying lap and I struggled with arm pump and only managed to go .3 quicker, I was gutted after qualifying as I've never really struggled with arm pump before. I ended up 9th EVO and 24th overall, not were I wanted to be!


Race 1 - Sprint Race
I changed to my old leathers for the race and being so far back on the grid a good start was vital and I got one! I was up to 16th overall on the first lap and 3rd EVO which was perfect, I passed Ben Field and then was having a good battle with Grant Whitaker we were putting some good moves on each other and it was a great race I managed to make a pass at Lodge on the penultimate lap and keep the lead till the flag! I got my first EVO win and 10th overall! I was so happy and after a tough start at Oulton it all came good be the race and all the team worked hard for that win. Also my old leathers stop my arm pump!


Monday


Race 2 - Feature Race
I started 20th on the grid and 4th EVO, I got another good start but I wasn't as lucky into turn 1 I got pushed out a bit wide but was 3rd EVO and on the tail of Cooper, Estment, Whitaker and Field. I had a battle with Cooper for 3 laps but finally past him and pulled a gap and then I could see Whitaker we had another good fight and into shell oils we touched and I damaged my fairing and clutch lever but stayed on! I past him and then I could see Field but he had quite a gap, then Olsen made a move on me and we had a battle, Field had a problem so I was in 2nd behind Olsen. the last lap came and I was looking to make a pass but made a little mistake at cascades and he pulled a little gap, I spend the rest of the lap playing catch up and I wasn't close enough at Lodge so I finished 2nd EVO and 14th overall. I was a bit annoyed but still a second place was points and completed a good weekend in the end! I am now 2nd in the EVO championship 23 points behind Olsen.


Massive thanks to my Crew Chief Mark Hanna, Dad and Mum, Aaron Tiller, Paul Davies, Beverly Richardson, Granddad Dave and my girlfriend Ellie for all their help and picking me up after my off and bad qualifying! 


Also big thanks to Rich at Maxton for his help, Vroom Media, Unipart, Road and Race, Oxford Products, HJC and Purbrook Garage Services.

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