The sun was shining over Hampshire at the breath taking Thruxton circuit, a favourite of mine for its high speed and incredible grip.
Free Practice saw us post good early times, matching my best straight away. We found suspension issues because of the high amount of load through full throttle on the side of the tyre, we needed more support, so would trawl the data for a right direction in QP1.
P7 1:19:002
QP1
We confirmed we had gone the right direction with one end of the bike and the wrong way with the other, more grip was found but spring rates would need to be changed again to to accommodate for the amount of grip being produced.
P11 1:18:274
QP2
Improving again early on in the session to a 1:17:939 we got a good time in early but run out of tyre quickly. I would qualify 11th which I wasn’t happy with but in turn did a full race distance on the used tyre posting times in the low 1:18’s even at the end of the session so was confident with my race pace.
Warm Up
We took it steady on a cool foggy early morning circuit, and practiced the start, which was good.
Race
The warm up start didn’t transfer to the race, a poor start saw me back in the pack but I quickly switched lines on the first lap to over take and move through to 9th on the first lap where I held position whilst catching up until the end of lap 6 when I over took both Josh Wainwright and Leon Jeacock in the final chicane to move up to 7th, and then start a hunt after Luke Quigley.
On lap 9 I had closed in on Luke, and got a good drive underneath him coming through Village which moved me up to 6th spot.
From then on I battled the grip, moving away from the pack behind, and tried to bridge the gap to the front runners. This proved to be a task to large on this day, so I held station in 6th place to the end of the race, 4.4 seconds off of the leaders.
In all, I am happy with the understanding of the bike we have found, this means from now on I can focus on my riding to find the few tenths needed to qualify well and lead the race. We set the 2nd fastest time of the race at Thruxton, and I can’t wait to get to work on making this possible as a consistency at every circuit, every lap.
I can’t thank my team, Downshift Motorsport, and all of our sponsors enough for getting us to this point. Thank you again for your faith in me and everyone’s hard work.
Downshift Motorcycle & Mountain Bike are a business based in Preston, Lancashire, UK, and specialise in competition cycle sports. Race Service, Builds, Maintenance and Product Purchase are available and carried out with the highest possible standards.
www.putoline.co.uk – The best High Performance Engine Lubriation.
www.held.de – For 1st class rider protection
www.jtsprockets.com – Downshift is geared using JT Sprockets
http://www.ftwco.com/ – Downshift’s apparel of choice – Shirts on our back, at home, or at the track
http://racebikebitz.com/Kawasaki-ZX10-R-2011-2014-7-Piece-Moulded-Y-Piece-Samco-Sport-Silicone-Hose-Kit-Race-Design
– Seen the custom camo Samco Sport performance silicone hoses keeping the Downshift machines running cool? well you can order them today on the link above, quote in the comment box when ordering, Green, Black, Red and White when choosing custom camo for a Downshift replica design, or mix it up with the colour of your choice.
http://www.bournemouth-kawasaki.co.uk/ – The ZX10’s had lights and mirrors once. No really, and when they did, they came from Bournemouth Kawasaki. Order your Kawasaki machine, gear or parts today.
http://www.moto-master.com/ – The best brakes around are stopping Downshift this year.
http://www.dynojet.co.uk/ – Give us the figures we want to see. BHP.
www.gbracing.eu – Engine Protection
https://www.directdistributionservice… – Buy your consumables today.
www.k-tech.uk.com – Downshift turn and grip with KTECH Suspension Components
http://www.bellhelmets.com/ – The choice of Crash Helmet for Downshift. Light, Strong, ready for P1.
http://www.pfc.parts/ – Gives Downshift stopping power with superior brake pads.
www.venhill.co.uk – Providing fast lines, Venhill Brake Hoses.
www.jap4performance.com – The beautiful Carbon Frame Protectors on the Downshift ZX10R’s are kindly supplied by Jap 4, check out their range.
www.reactiveparts.com – Race Parts
Downshift are backed, sponsored and partnered by Gridworx, Nettworx, 2Works traffic management, Star Delta, AUS, Duco Power and Aptus Utilities, Vinyl Infusion.