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After the success of Silverstone I was looking forward to Round 2. Brands is a very short circuit and requires the bike to be set up to prefection as a few tenths of a second round here can make a big differance. With limited testing time (30 mins warm up then 2 qualifying sessions) I knew this would be a challenge. I quickly got a good set up and was again able to run at the front in my group of qualifying. I was quicker than I had been before at Brands (having only done 1 race with MRO here) and the pace was blisteringly hot. After 1st qulaifying I was 7th in my group and felt there was more to come - I was having problems with the rear losing grip but was sure I could iron this out. After 2nd qualifying I was 9th in my group which placed me 16th on the grid after the two groups were joined - it was becoming hard to keep track of qualifying because of the amount of riders trying to qualify - two groups of 36 bikes!!!. I had it all to do from 16th on the grid as the first corner get very messy - you have to be with the first few round the corner and make the break while the others sort it out between themselves. I made another fantastic start and made the first group down paddock hill bend - all I had to do now was stay with this group. Coming out of Clearways - the last corner before the start finish straight I was lying in the top ten - until a massive high side infront of me caused me to hit the brakes to avoid the flying bike - only to push me towards the sliding rider!! I managed to miss him (somehow) but was pushed onto the grass and was close to the back of the grid - now I definatly had it all to do. From around 30th position I really thought my race was over - but I got my head down and dug deep - each lap I was overtaking a few riders - remember these guys are all quick - there are no 'back markers' in superstock with only a few seconds seperating the whole grid. I was putting in some good times even through traffic - I was surprised how quickly i was moving through the field - with some overtaking manourvers landing right and some being a little close - but I had no time to hang around I could taste the points getting closer!!. I crossed the line in an amazing 10th place - not bad at all considering I went from 10th to 30th to 10th again!!! I finished the day lying 9th in the championship - only 2 points away from 5th. |
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