Following my debut podium at Snetterton I headed to Mallory full of confidence and looking for a good solid result.
FP1 was dry and straight away I showed that Snetterton was no fluke, by going fastest and doing a 58.1. I was really happy with the bike and myself and looking forward to the rest of the weekend.
FP2 was wet and I started the session steady and gradually got faster and faster. I finished the session 3rd which I was happy about and was happy with the way the bike worked in the conditions. It was a nice feeling ending the day with the fastest time.
Q1 and I was looking for a good solid performance to start from the front row of the grid. I was consistantly fast all session, and topped the time sheets for a part of the 40 minutes before been shuffled down to 3rd. I was not too fussed as it was the front row and I had made a few mistakes on my fastest lap.
Q2 and I knew everyone around me would be going faster. I struggled throughout the session with traffic and getting into any kind of rhythm but did manage to improve my mornings time to a 57.6 but got knocked off the front row with seconds to go and ended up 5th. I was happier 5th than 4th because I wanted to be on the outside going into gerrards, But the front row would have been nice if you get me! I was however happy because I felt race pace wise we were right there, but just didnt have that last little bit to go for pole but it was another great day.
Warm up went well, I didn’t do anything silly just put some more laps on race tyres and went 4th with a 58.0. I was happy heading into the race.
As we were ready on the grid the rain came down and delayed the start of the race. I was pretty gutted as I felt we had a better overall package in the dry than the wet but it didnt phase me as we swapped bikes on the grid. I got a good start and held my own on the first lap and settled in 7th but it was soon apparent I didnt have the confidence so early on and lost vital seconds to the podium group. It took me 6-7 laps to get down to a good pace which by that time they had gone. I had a big gap infront and behind so I rode a lonely race reading my pitboard to a good solid 6th place. I was catching Glen for 5th towards the end but I wanted 6th and 10 points instead of putting everything on the line for another point. I was happy with the result as it has moved me up to 5th in the championship on a day that could have easily have rewarded us with nothing.
The weekend was another great success, been inside the top 6 all weekend, topping FP1 and been competetive in the wet or dry.
Once again we were the top Honda all weekend which is a great boost for myself and the team. I kept it pretty quiet how much I dislike Mallory and how it doesn’t suit me as a rider and my style, so to score such good points is a real bonus. I feel we have got some real momentum and consistancy at the present minute, and I’m looking foward to Oulton and fighting for the podium again. I would just like to thank all the Centurion team , and my two mechanics my dad and Sim.
Thanks
James
