E2E Racing News
5 March 2012
Baltic Weather at Brands Hatch for Round 1!
The team headed to Brands Hatch for the opening round of the Thundersport GB Golden Era Superbike Series.
Lee R's Report:
On Saturday we had the best weather.. although the first race was a damp drying track, we both went out on wets to be safe.
I led the first race all the way to the end, the last two laps I got pit signals to say I had a massive lead, so out of the last corner I stood on the pegs to celebrate just as two riders passed me and beat me to the line – ended up 3rd - It appeared later that the 2 riders had dry tyres on and in the last couple of laps destroyed the 8 second lead I had as I struggled round on destroyed wets - never mind 3 more races to make amends.
The track was pretty much dry all the way round by the time the 2nd race started - I took the lead on about the 3rd lap and won by 16 seconds – that’s nearly a 3rd of a lap !!
As I set the fastest lap under the new “Mega Lap” rule I was on pole then for Sunday when the TV coverage is on - result!
On Sunday the weather was horrid, driving rain and must have only been just above zero temperature by the afternoon.
I should have won the first race, but had a massive slide out of clearways into the last lap and finished a close 2nd.
4th race was freezing, as I pulled up on the line the race director came up to me, felt my front tyre and said “Watch it out there, if the weather drops another degree I’m going to abandon the race” – really confidence inspiring as we head off!! – I pulled off pretty steady thinking they would certainly abandon the race – we got a few laps in and I realised they weren’t – so got my head down – I finished a close 3rd.
All in all not a bad weekend, Brands Hatch is my least favourite circuit, and we have come away leading the championship by 12 points – so not a bad weekend!
Lee P's report:
Brands Hatch, WOW!!!
This was my first visit to Brands and one I will always remember.
Practise day (Friday) started well, I was aiming for 55sec laps and managed a 57 before lunch. Unfortunately I just couldn’t get back on the pace in the afternoon and found myself going slightly backwards in time.
Racing day one; I’d sorted my head out and quickly got back on the pace. My aim this season was to finish in the top ten (at least) on every race. I qualified 10th out of 22 riders. When we lined up on the grid, another rider was in my grid position, so the steward pushed me back to the next row, won’t be letting that happen again! Had a great start off the line in damp conditions and continued to battle throughout the race, finishing 8th at the end. The second race did not start so well, 5 mins before we went out, we noticed my new rear tyre only had 3psi. After frantically searching for another wheel / slick, our only choice was to go out on a dry track with a wet rear. As I also missed the sighting lap I had to start at the back of the grid, 20th! Despite this I did some 56sec laps and finished 14th, not great but could have been worse.
Race day two; Wet, cold but ready to go! Had a good warm up with 6th fastest lap time. Unfortunately following day one’s issues with the rear tyre, I had to start in 17th position, so the bit was securely between my teeth, so to speak. I’d had a great battle with a GSXR 750 and a Kawasaki 750. I had taken them both and was pulling away. I could have and should have dropped off the pace as I only had two laps to go, but I didn’t and crashed out, front end. Bashed and bruised my elbow, left foot and knee, but ok really. Bikes a little bent, but mainly superficial damage, couldn’t race last race due to injuries.
Big thanks to the team for all their help and support, especially the food!!!!
Looking forward to Donington now.
