Photo’s by Steve Addison Photography.
Blog:
After a difficult pre season, of which left me without a ride, a call from Kawasaki Team Green orchestrated a new venture to race with Team NMT No Limits Russo Racing aboard the all new 2016 Kawasaki ZX10R.
The first wheels were turned at Oulton Park for the official BSB Test, of which was crucial track time as I had not ridden a motorcycle since the final round of the 2015 in October.
The objective is to develop the new bike, and myself, to create a package capable of achieving Podiums.
Round 2 saw us start the weekend with an unsettled weather report which was not ideal considering dry track time is paramount in these early stages, however in working with the Team and Andy from KAIS Ohlins, we made the most of the situations in Practice and Qualifying, and scored relatively highly with Top 10 placements in FP and QP1, with mixed conditions in QP2 also.
Photo: Steve Addison
A suspension change for Morning Warm up brought to light an important factor for us in moving forward, and a new platform was reached in the development of the Motorcycle. But for the race, it would be a gamble between wet or dry tyres.
Photo: Steve Addison
Starting from 10th, Fourth Row, my choice was to use Wet Weather Tyres to avoid being pushed out on to a wet track in the early stages.
I made a good launch to the first turn and rode around the outside to jump from 10th to 3rd.
Making the most of the initial grip, I quickly moved up to 2nd place in the first sector, and took the lead by the third.
Leading the way on the first lap I tried to push while I had the grip to make as much as a gap as possible before the dry tyres came in to their own, but the sun came out and seemingly dried the track instantly to form a comfortable dry line.
Photo: Steve Addison
Lap 2 saw advancements from other riders as I slipped to 3rd spot, and a race long battle on the soft set up and wet tyres would play out to finally finish the race, power sliding across the line to take 11th position.
Photo: Steve Addison
The result was not ideal, and the tyres I chose were wrong, but the collaboration of efforts over the weekend by the entire team has created results ahead of schedule, and NMT No Limits Russo Racing are now on the Championship Table with positives to take in preparation for Round 3 at Brands Hatch Indy.
I am very appreciative of the team’s efforts and I am confident we will create a setup to play to the strengths of myself and the motorcycle so we can stand on the Podium in Superstock. Thank you Team.
I want to say thank you to my close supporters and family, and thank you to Team Green and Kawasaki for the opportunity this season.Further thanks go out to my personal supporters, Walters Medical, thank you all.
James East
Motorcycle Racer
www.jameseast.com
+447783337702