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Josh Brookes had a steep learning curve for his debut in the British Superbike Championship, using Saturday’s free practice sessions to learn the fast and flowing track that features rapidly changing gradients, cambers and blind crests, as well as re-acquainting himself with his CBR1000RR Fireblade. The Aussie made strides forward with his bike set-up and lap times to achieve a top ten grid position and a 10th placed finish in race one, although retired in race two just three laps from the end due to a misfire whilst running in 6th position.

Team-mate Glen Richards also used the practice sessions to progress his chassis race set-up and took 5th and 6th places at the chequered flag in races one and two respectively.

Glen Richards (#45)

“It’s been a positive weekend in terms of getting to a really good base chassis set-up for racing and I’ve learned a lot more about the Fireblade and how it handles, but, I’m disappointed to not have achieved better race positions and be on the podium again. In race one I had a few issues with rear grip so made some changes to the rear shock for race two which made a positive difference. But I just couldn’t ride the bike to its full potential and I need to go away from this race and get my head totally dialled in to where I need to be and then be back ready to challenge for the podium at Donington.”

Josh Brookes (#25)

“After all the build up and anticipation of getting to the UK and my debut in the British Superbike Championship, I’m a mixture of relieved, pleased and disappointed with this weekend. Relieved as the first one is now out the way and I can start to focus on the season as a whole now and learning more of the circuits, pleased as we’ve made some huge strides forward with the set-up of my Fireblade, I’m feeling comfortable on the bike and I’ve been able to improve my lap times every time I’ve been out, and disappointed, as I set myself the goal of finishing a race in the top 5 and I was knocking at the door of that in race two before I had a misfire and had to retire just four laps from the end. Before race one I sat in the truck reminding myself how much I hated sitting at home watching round one on the TV as I couldn’t be here and, was feeling under a lot of pressure, mainly from myself, to get out there and perform well in today’s races. I just told myself that actually I just needed to go out there and enjoy the racing and the rest will come naturally. And that’s what I did. Oulton Park is a great circuit and there’s been a brilliant atmosphere the whole weekend, generally at the circuit but also within the HM Plant Honda team which has made me feel immediately at home.”

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Steve spent the weekend’s free practice sessions working on chassis set-up modifications and re-focusing on the Supersport class, having ridden the Fireblade Superbike in the opening BSB round followed by the World Endurance Championship at Le Mans. Starting from 7th on the grid after being promoted by one place due to a rider withdrawing from the race through injury, Steve made the best of the weekend’s inclement weather, difficult tyre choices and race re-start following a red flag on lap three, to bring home his Honda CBR600RR in 11th place and set the fastest lap of the race.

Steve Plater (#22)

“After the red flag on lap three, the re-started race started off dry and I was up there mixing for the lead with Dan Linfoot and had settled into a really good pace. But then it started to drizzle and whilst my tyre choice was good for the dry, it was no good for a damp race distance. A number of riders went down in the wet so I decided it was better to keep to a steady pace and bring the bike home in one piece with some points rather than risk anything. It’s not the result either the bike or I are capable of but that’s racing and at least we salvaged some points out of a bad weather weekend and closed the gap on the championship lead. Now I’m looking forward to the North West 200 and then the third round of the Supersport Championship, where I hope to be back on the podium.”

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Honda (UK) Racing riders Steve Brogan and John McGuinness rode their Padgetts Motorcycles CBR1000RRs to take second and third places respectively at the chequered flag, although dominated the race as the leading pair for 12 out of the 15 lap race.

Steve Brogan (#1)

“I got off the line well and made it to the lead by the first corner where I stayed for the majority of the race. From that lead position, especially with these damp conditions, you just have to gauge your race pace and I thought it was John behind me the whole way. But Seeley came from nowhere and I knew when I saw his elbow that it wasn’t John behind me! I was pushing hard round the corner to stay with him but I had to make a decision to carry on pushing and maybe risk my place, or safeguard 20 championships points. The Fireblade has been ‘on it’ all weekend and I’ve hardly had to make any changes to the set-up from last year which is great.”

 

John McGuinness (#2)

“This is my first short circuit race podium in two years and it feels great to be back on the rostrum. The last one was actually at this circuit and in the wet as well! I had a good start and was in second behind Brogie by the end of the first lap. I thought to myself, ‘he’s the master in the wet and in Superstock so I’m going to follow his lead’. I got right up to him and decided to go for the overtake, but had a big slide going into Hislop’s and that let Brogie back past - then Seeley just snuck up from nowhere! It’s a shame I couldn’t keep second but that’s just racing. I know I’m not the spring chicken of the paddock but I’m feeling great and am real happy to be riding well and up at the front. Honda and Clive have always kept their faith in me and it’s great that I can repay them with being competitive and doing well in the championship. The first few rounds have also been a good confidence boost ahead of the North West 200 in two week’s time.”