ROUND 2 RACE REPORT: Donington GP
Donington was a tough round, we don’t get much practice/track time, but we made the most of what we had. Personally, I think the team did a great job getting me and the bike prepared for the weekend. Big thank you to everyone who showed support throughout the weekend was great to see you all.
Saturday FP1: didn’t go the way I expected it to. I learnt the track, though have been here before I’ve now got an additional 15hp plus the new surface that has been laid down, it felt real grippy. I came in P23 but knew I could improve. Decided to make a gearing change and hope that would work out for qualifying.
Qualifying, was a struggle at the start until I managed to get a tow off of a fast rider, managing to stay with them to get a very good lap in jumping to P13, dropping down to P17 at the end of session. We took the positives from that as I had taken 2 seconds off my lap time, Ok for my second go out on the circuit.
Race 1 from P17 was tough, I had a really good start but was pin balled down Crainers, somewhere where you don’t want that to happen! which dropped me back a few places. I also almost got mixed up with another crash too but avoided it causing me to drop back another position. Eventually made my way to P19 then a red flag came out on lap 7, which was a race result finishing P19.
My lap time was good enough to make me start Race 2 in P19 for Sunday’s race.
Race 2 I was confident at the start keeping with the group but eventually they broke a gap, leaving me with a wall of air to fight against. Due to me having no tow, I knew and could see from the pit board the rider behind was catching, overtaking me at my weakest point of the circuit, but battled back past to beat them to the line, putting me 18th overall.
Im taking the positives from the round, one being on average 6th fastest through the speed traps in the last race. I walk away knowing what Ive got to work on, which corners and other elements to improve. We’ve know the bike set up for the 2 more times we will be at Donington.