James East / Mackrory Racing Round 6 Oulton Park
For the 2nd time in the 2012 British Superbike Calendar Oulton Park is the venue. Uncertain weather conditions were predicted for this round with many parts of the country flooded.
James, comfortably holding 3rd place in the British Supersport Cup Championship, was in good spirits come rain or shine, having his best result in the wet at Brands Hatch earlier in the year.
Free Practice 1 – Wet
A very wet start to the weekend, and James feels his way around. Staying clear of the treacherous standing water in the braking areas Easty finishes the session in 13th position 4th in cup on a 1:58:416.
Free Practice 2 – Wet
Easty makes a fast start to the session in monsoon conditions, But unfortunately he loses the rear on the entry to Knickerbrook chicane and goes down on standing water. He still finishes the session in 14th and 4th in the cup position on a time of 1:55:254
Qualifying – Dry
Saturday is a dry and cloudy day. East has some gear shift issues in the session and handling troubles with little dry set up and couldn’t get comfortable to put in a fast time, suspension settings were changed after to solve the slight problems but he’d qualify 22nd 4th in Cup on a time of 1:42:170.
Race 1
James gets a good launch but is boxed in at turn 1 and has work to do. He picks off a few people but is 22nd still on lap 1 and starts his pursuit.
Despite some engine trouble, puffing smoke and running hot meant James was losing some low down drive but by lap 8 he is up to 17th and charges hard to push through to 14th on the last lap and P3 in the Cup on a time of 1:41:322.
James’s lap time qualifies him in 18th for race 2.
James – “ It was a shame about the poor first corner, I ended up boxed in and pushed wide which put me on the catch up from the start. Never the less we confirmed some better suspension settings for race 2, where we will have a new motor also to hopefully give us some more punch. “
Warm Up
James has trouble with the motor springing a leak and has to pull over. This however is rectified is time for race 2.
Race 2.
James gets a great launch and gets up to 15th by lap two and is in a battle.
throughout the race James is in a battle between Sam Hornsey and Dean Hipwell.
This would come down to the last lap, James getting in front touching as all 3 went in to Island bend, but passed again in shell Oils.
Easty drives alongside Hornsey up clay hill and passes on the brakes at Druids. One more chance but James isn’t close enough at Lodge but squares it off for a last try for the line over Hipwell, narrowly missing out by half a bike length to finish 16th overall and 3rd in Supersport Cup with a best lap time of 1:41:111.
James – “ Great Race, was really good to be in a battle the whole race and stand on the cup podium after again. We had some trouble with the bike overheating, losing me some drive but solid cup points again and found some more pace, Looking forward to Brands Hatch GP now as its one more my favourite tracks. Thank you to everyone involved for the support. “
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