Round 2 took place at Donington Park Grand Prix circuit, traditionally our first of two Donington rounds would be on the National circuit, which suited me as the GP track is one of my favourites. “I came into round 2 feeling confident, I wanted to continue my momentum and put on a strong show at Donington, a circuit I absolutely love”, however it was to prove a bitter sweet weekend as I had one of my best results followed by my first BTC DNF since 2021.
I have been joined by legendary Japanese Crew Chief, Kazu Kuroda, who has previously worked in Grand Prix racing teams such as Team Rainey Yamaha, Kanemoto Honda Racing and Team Norick.
Thursday evening myself and my team completed a track walk so that we could inspect the newly laid tarmac around the whole of the circuit, I was able to see where the track differed to when I last rode it in October.
Friday we had two practice sessions where I ended up P4 with my best time of 1:41.369 which was nearly 0.8secs quicker than my fastest time ever.
Qualifying came on Saturday morning, I was able to take another 0.2sec off my best lap time which put me on the second row starting in p6, 0.997s off pole. Race 1 followed later in the afternoon. “I got a good start and got into the front group. We were all fast and hungry for a result. I had great feeling with the bike and felt strong all around the circuit, we all battled for position and I fought my way into the lead on several occasions. Leading made me confident in myself and my bike, everything was just gelling perfectly. I managed to stay with the top three, I was so close I felt a podium was a realistic target”.
As the race drew to a close, I got closer and closer to the top three, “We were all so close, it was the best race I have ever had, I was fighting for the podium but also aware I had strong, hungry riders behind me too. I had to use everything I have learned and it worked, I managed to cross the line in third place and took my first podium finish, you can see by my reaction on the television coverage what it meant, I was so happy and relieved to finally get there and prove I can do it!”
Race 2 came on Sunday and this time I started from 5th on the grid. The race got underway and I made another good start. After a few laps the top 6 broke away from the rest of the field and dicing for positions, I took the lead a couple of times and made some great overtakes, sometimes 2 riders at the same time. Sadly in lap 13 I took a slightly wider line at Goddards and lost the front out of 4th place. The crash put an end to an otherwise stellar weekend for me, “Whilst it’s a shame, I am so pleased with my efforts this weekend. It’s the hardest I have ever ridden, I have the pace which showed when I got slightly dropped but managed to get back to the group. I’m still buzzing about my podium and I hope there will be plenty more to come”.
I left Donington 7th in the championship standings and I am looking forward to round 3 at Knockhill on 16th-18th June where I will give it my all again.
“None of this would be possible without my mum and dad along with my amazing sponsors, as without them I would not be able to be out there, so huge thanks to SP125 Racing, Amphibian Scaffolding, Amphibian Apparel, Rock Oil, NGK spark plugs, Wiz Racing, Auritech, Coverwell, Facelift Home Improvements, L Brown Construction, Vircos Leathers, Helmet City, Crawley Boxing Club and Muk Junkie Bike Cleaner”.