Oulton Park: Rounds – 10 – 11 & 12

Bennetts British Superbikes

Tom Ward and the Bike Devil had a nightmare weekend at rounds 10, 11 and 12 of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Oulton Park. Tom was unfortunate the crash out in race one, forced to retire with arm-pump in race two and a technical problem in race three.

Despite the lack of results the team and Tom still learnt an awful lot this weekend and Tom continued to improve on the Superbike and make good progress. He worked hard throughout every session and has gained a lot more knowledge about the Superbike which we hope can be put into results at Donington Park.

Tom qualified in 21st place on the grid; he got a good start but tucked the front going into the final corner on the opening lap and crashed out. Due to the fact he did not secure a lap time he was forced to start the second race from the back of the grid in 26th. Another good start saw him make up some places; he ran straight on early on in the race and was later forced to retire due to severe arm-pump and unable to hang on.

For race three he started from 21st place again and once again he seemed to be making good progress but a technical problem saw the black and orange flag come out and he was forced to retire to the pits. Onwards and upwards to Donington Park in a few weeks time.

Tom:

“It wasn’t the greatest weekend, we had loads of potential but it just didn’t work out. I got horrendous arm-pump all weekend; I think it was my own fault as I did a training session on Wednesday. I never get it; I’ve done two 45 minute stints around Oulton with no sign of arm-pump, it’s just so frustrating.

I lost so much of the weekend because of that. There are still a lot of positives to take, I tested a new front tyre which gave me a lot of confidence plus some set-up changes. We got a better feeling with the bike and we worked really well together but there are plenty of things to take on to Donington.”

Quattro Group British Supersport

In the British Supersport class Rob Hartog had a really positive weekend gaining two strong results with a 11th and 9th place in the two races. Despite not having been to Oulton much previously he did really well and improved every time he was out on the MV Agusta.

He qualified in 14th place in the Supersport class for the opening race on Saturday and he was eager to work his way through the pack. He was locked in a close battle with Supersport and GP2 riders and he was able to secure 11th place at the end of the 12 lap race.

For the second race he was placed in 19th on the grid, he got a great start and as the race progressed he got faster and more confident. This time he was racing pretty much alone for a lot of the race, he made some great passes and finished in 9th place. He is now lying 9th in the overall Championship standings.

Rob:

“I think we had some solid results in the races, it was a tough track to learn for me. I did a track day but you learn everything on a race weekend. Again to be improving 0.6 in the second race proves we are improving all the time and getting nearer to the guys in front.

When you put the results in perspective I think it was a strong weekend, I think we should be happy. For sure we want more but we are happy with this, I am looking forward to Donington which is a track I know.”

Dave Tyson – Team Owner:

“It was not the weekend we expected or hoped for in sbk, Tom struggled all weekend with arm-pump was something we hadn’t predicted.

He was nursing it and you can’t do that at this level. Saturdays race was a real shame as he did a great lap on the first flyer and then a simple mistake ended up with him crashing out at the final turn.

For race two we started from the back of the grid, however, it was evident that physical restrictions were too much and he had to pull in. For race three we had a small technical issue.

We move on to Donington where Tom should be strong and we know we can get closer to the front.

Rob progressed all weekend and ended up with a great 9th place in race two. He continues to be ninth in the Championship and we will keep pushing on for Donington, where he knows the circuit well.”