Tommo#21 Round Report - R1 2022 Bennetts British Superbike Championship Quattro Plant BRITISH SUPERSPORT 600
Qual - P28 Race 1 - P20 (15th in class) Race 2 - P19 (14th in class)
Best Lap: 58.8 (PB) Ideal Lap: 58.5
Summary: With only two days testing this year and having never been to Silverstone before, we were going into Round 1 of the fastest 600 grid in the country on the back foot. Then freak issues plagued the bike over the weekend, resulting in me doing only 7 laps in FP1 & missing FP2. With no set up time, we went into qualifying blind and scrambled through both races chasing minor bike issues and set up as we went. Really tough weekend falling far short of my true pace not to mention struggling for consistency, track experience, bike setup up & running issues. That all being said, it was a joy to share a race weekend with my daughter for the first time, get some time in the seat and be back around the team.
Friday FP1 & FP2: After 7 laps of FP1, the gearbox decided it didn't want to play no more. Having stripped the bike, we found a stud which formed part of the return mechanism had sheared off. Bloody typical?! So as the boys took to the track for FP2, Alex and I took to the road for a 3 hour round trip so I could go home and strip #TrudyTriumph for the part we needed. What should have been a fairly chilled day turned into a late night. Huge thanks to Jay. Without him, it would have been weekend over at this point. Also thanks to Neil & Dave for your help on a bank holiday.
Saturday Qualifying: With no testing time, I just did what I could using a single rear tyre and treated the session as a test more than anything else. Was happy not to be last in truth.
Sprint Race 1: As if we hadn't had enough issues, while riding through the paddock to pit lane, I turned a corner only to have the steering jam which put me on the floor. We later established that a brake pressure sensor come loose and got jammed in the forks! This incident led to the rear brake toe peg braking off and me not being released onto track to form up on the grid. Once again step up Jay and bolted to the paddock, got the spare part and changed it just in time to start the race from pit lane. The tyres may have been stone cold, but the track time was much needed!
Sunday Warm up: Having spoke to Dave Croft, we soften the front and regained some feeling and confidence ready for the feature race. Up to this point, I'd noted the front brake which wasn't as aggressive as I'd like, an issue we've been trying to improve since the end of 2021. So a trip to Shaun at HEL Performance who supported us with a new master cylinder. Massive thanks guys, it’s a awesome piece of kit!
Feature Race: Bogged down off the start and ran on at T3 of lap 1 avoiding a slower rider ahead. This lost me the much needed tow I was after to help bring my lap time towards the 57's, a tow of which I hadn't had all weekend. I quickly made up ground on a couple of riders ahead, passed them and started to pull clear. Then mid race, I was shown a mechanical black and orange flag. Having ran wide at T3 to pull off the line, it was quickly apparent that it was wrongly shown to me and was meant for a rider who had already pulled to one side. This lost me all the time I'd made up. I again caught up and passed the few riders ahead and pushed for a PB lap before seeing out the end of the race and the end to a extremely tough weekend.
Overview: Personally it was a tough weekend. Loads off track issues to sort out and resolve. I'm really happy with how the bike & paddock has turned out this year and I have to say thank you to all those who pulled it out the bag for me and continue to do so! Couldn't make it work without all the off track support both at and away from the paddock.
I'm looking forward to Oulton Park in two weeks time and particularly Donington Park next month where I have every confidence I'll be back at my true pace!
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