A weekend of glorious sunshine awaited the British Superbike Paddock for round 7 after weeks of rain.
James is currently in 3rd position in the British Supersport Cup Championship, and at his favourite circuit is looking to make up some points on his competitors in front.
Free Practice
James is on the pace straight away, railing around his favourite track to finish the session in 15th place P3 in the cup on a time of 1:30:690 with P2 cup competitor just 2 tenths in front.
Rear suspension changes were made after this session to give more adjustment.
Qualifying
Easty feels the difference with the way the bike is sitting from the suspension changes straight away and finds some extra pace quickly. After pitting for some a final changes before his push for a qualifying time James drops in to the 1:29’s on lap 9 putting him in 11th position, but an engine issue occurs on lap 10 and James has to bring the 56 machine back in to pitlane.
Easty finishes the session in 11th position, P3Cup on a time of 1:29:909, giving him a 3rd row start for Race 1.
Warm Up
A new motor is put in the Mackrory Racing Kawasaki over night before race day on Sunday, and James spends the session running in. East opened the ZX6 up on the last lap and was happy with the engines strength.
James – “ The new motor has had some hard work put in to it with mapping and feels great, I have some extra power in the lower revs which is really helping my drive on the exit of the corners. “
Race 1
James gets a great launch but is cut up in turn 1 by fellow Supersport Cup runner Luke Jones. Jones hits the 56 machine hard enough to snap the front brake lever off just leaving a stub.
Easty drops back to 16th place on lap one after the incident at paddock hill bend and proceeds to start his charge, braking with one finger.
James pushes hard over the 10 laps to finally finish 12th on a time of 1:29:889. This time is good enough to give him a 15th position starting spot for race 2.
Easty – “ I was furious after the first corner incident but got through lap 1. It was difficult braking after I was left with just a short stub for a lever, and definitely did some harm to my pace, but I rode my own race and salvaged what I could. “
Race 2
Easty focuses on getting a good start and is right in the mix on lap 1.
James makes a couple of moves on lap 2 and finds himself in 11th place with a gap to both cup runners Glen Irwin and Luke Jones in a battle with Pauli Pekenan and Sam Warren.
James Bridges the gap over a number of laps on to the back of Irwin and makes a move at paddock Hill Bend. A lap later Irwin stabs underneath East at Druids.
On the exit of Surtees James gets a good run on Irwin but just ahead Warren’s Yamaha stops and Luke Jones hits him flat out on the back straight towards Hawthorns Bend.
The red flag comes out. The Bike and rider are ok with minor injuries.
Restart
James starts from 11th on row 3 and gets a good launch and holds a tight line at druids.
Easty stabs under Irwin at Graham Hill Bend and carries the momentum past Luke Mossy at Surtees.
East ends lap one in the lead of the Cup and 8th overall in a fight with Mossy.
Mossy makes a run around the outside on the start finish straight but James leaves the braking late with his Motomaster system, and out brakes him in turn one.
Lap 3 and Mossy gets passed at Druids. James Holds this position to the flag on lap 6 to finish the race in 9th position on a time of 1:29:561 and Wins The Supersport Cup.
Easty – “ I am over the moon to get my first win in the cup, the engine felt stronger in the restart and I could run a faster pace. The top step is where I’ve been aiming for all season and now it feels possible to fight in the top 10 where I feel I should be. I want to thank my team and mechanics for working hard with the set up and engine changes. All of my sponsors helping me to be on track and everyone who came down to support me, I’m going to work hard to find the extra second I need to be battling for main championship podiums now, and my goal is to follow up this result at Cadwell Park with a similar finish and a win in the Cup once more “.
James would like to thank his personal sponsors:
Homechoice Carpets Leeds
Idaq.com
GHM Services
ToiletSpares.co.uk
R&G Racing
Cougar Leathers
Moto-Master Braking Systems
Racebikebitz By Samco Sport
Walters & Walters Ltd
Paul ‘Noddy’ Brown
Royston Fencing
Krombacher
