Brand’s second time round, was a corker! Westy flew, with the fastest track time
Race Report Brands Hatch, Take 2!
After a difficult result the previous week at Oulton I headed to Brands Hatch, one of my favourite tracks on the British Superbike calendar slightly nervous but full of confidence knowing how much I needed a result.
Saturday morning didn’t go so well, I ran the hard rear tyre and it didn’t work in the hot conditions. I struggled with corner entry really badly and ended up 14th. I was slightly annoyed but I felt really good on the bike.
In the afternoon I went a lot faster straight away, I was up to 4th by mid session and I worked on my race pace consistently in the 30’s and low 31’s which I was happy with. On my last lap I did a 30.5 with a tyre that had done 16 laps so it was smiles all round. I ended the session 3rd which was a good boost ready for Sunday.
Warm up didn’t start in the best way possible! I had an electrical problem and lost the first 6 minutes of the session. I managed to do 2 flying laps, my first one put me in the top ten, the 2nd put me 3rd. I got shuffled down a place in the final seconds but I got in the 30’s again on a tyre that had done 22 laps. I knew I had the pace to do well.
Before the race I was really nervous, slightly more so than normal. I knew I couldn’t afford to mess up after the bad first two rounds. Everything was working well and I had the package to finish on the podium. I got an ok start, nothing special but held my own, despite some elbows at Paddock and Druids! Before the end of the first lap the safety car came out and when we returned to normal racing conditions I was 12th and spent a few laps settling down. I slowly starting to make my way through the pack, I was really surprised how fast I was through the fast corners out the back and how well my bike was working. I got up to 6th with 6 laps to go when the safety car came out again. The car stopped out two laps and I messed up on the restart I just wasn’t ready coming out of Sheene curve. I rode hard for 2 laps and with 2 to go I found myself back on the fight for the final podium position and I wanted it so bad. I passed Fitzpatrick into Paddock then did the same to BJ on the final lap, but he came back at me. I passed him hard but fair into Dingle dell and with 2 corners to go, Brogan run wide and was right there but I couldn’t do anything into Clearways or over the line. I was happy with 4th but to miss out on 3rd by 0.06 was hard to take. I was really happy considering where I started and that has given me the boost I needed to get my season started. I got the 3rd fastest lap of the race, I think a podium was obviously possible, but Glen and Hudson rode really well and lets hope we can bridge the Gap in 2 weeks time.
I must say a massive thank you to the whole Centurion team, Paul, Gary and Alan, To Mike our data logging man, Kev from WP, and my two mechanics, my dad and Sim. Also all my friends and family who were watching at home thank you for all your messages of support. We will get there. Im sorry It wasn’t mine and Centurions first podium but heading into Donington, my favourite circuit with so much confidence and my bike working so well, I say bring it on…..…
Thank you
James
