Once again in the 2016 British Superbike Championship Calendar, we would arrive at a race circuit under uncertainty for weather conditions, and was met by a humid, wet and warm weekend for Round 6 of the National 1000 Superstock Championship.
Following significant improvements in the handling of the 2016 Kawasaki ZX10R at Knockhill, we took the progression to Snetterton by feeling the improvements right away in Free Practice.
Suspension settings would be accurately changed between Free Practice and Qualifying 1 as the bike was producing good feel from the grip given.
In Qualifying 1, we were able to push to a 1:52:5, with winds high and grip levels low of which slotted us in to 10th position for a provisional qualifying spot.
Qualifying 2 was a wash out. We ventured out on an extremely slippery circuit to try and move closer to a wet setup should it be needed.
Warm Up
We made the most out of the 8 minutes by trying something very different to what we have tested in the past. This through up many questions about future set ups, so a valuable Warm Up was had.
Due to the changing conditions, no one bettered their qualifying time from QP1. We would start the race from the 4th row in 10th position.
An awful launch off of the line put me in the thick of the pack, dodging first lap crashes and elbowing throughout the first few corners.
Almost immediately, a safety car was deployed due to an enormous start straight accident.
The lights on the safety car went out at last moment on the final corner, of which left me with more of a gap than I would of wanted. I made this up right away and began to push through in a fight for 5th position.
It was one of the most aggressive races I have ridden, but I didn’t back down and eventually broke free to 5th place, dragging two BMW’s of Jenkinson and Elliot with me.
They passed me on the straights, but on the last lap, they both made a mistake at the hairpin, of which I capitalized on.
Unfortunately they passed me on the back straight again and I attacked in the final sector of the last lap to finally pull tight and get a good drive on to the start finish straight, I passed Jenkinson on the exit of the corner, to be out dragged under power to finish 7th at the line, 0.003 off of 6th at the line.
Later on we were awarded 6th after an ammendment to the classification.
I am very pleased with our improvements, and happy to be able to push like I did in the Snetterton race.
Thruxton, up next, is one of my favourite circuits, and I can’t wait to fight here as well.
My future goal now is to be on the podium at Brands Hatch GP on the first weekend of August.
Thank you to my Team and Supporters for their continued support and efforts.
Photo Credit: Steve Addison