Steve Scores More Points At Thruxton

Qualifying was a testing time as the R1 Yamaha is still being developed but none the less Steve managed to post a time quick enough to claim a sixth row start to the set of two races from 21st position.

As race one got underway in the searing heat at Thruxton Steve made a fantastic start moving up from 21st to 14th within six laps. He continued to make progress eventually crossing the finish line in 13th position at the end of the 22-lap race.

Race two went much the same way with Steve making another lightening start and picking up places to 14th in the space of four laps. Steve was reeling in the riders ahead and was looking good for a top ten finish but the pace car halted his progress when it was brought out onto the track for a crash further down the field.

Steve was caught out at the re-start and was unable to maintain his earlier momentum. With few laps remaining there was little Steve could do to catch the riders ahead and he had to be content with a second finish of 13th to collect a further three championship points.

“I got a mega start each time,” said Steve. “And made up loads of places in the first couple of laps but was struggling for grip in both races. I was doing ok in race two and made the most of the time when the pace car was on the track to make up the ground to the riders ahead. But what I didn’t realise is that they had changed the rules regarding the restart and even though I saw a board saying zero I didn’t realise that meant that the pace car was going in at the end of that lap so really I missed the restart and lost three or four seconds on the riders in front of me.

“Although I made up the time by the end of the race I didn’t have the opportunity to pass anyone. But for that I would have been looking at a top ten finish; that’s how it goes sometimes. I have had a good weekend and the bike is getting better, although we still haven’t found a good base set-up, but we are getting there and we can continue the development work at Silverstone in two weeks time.”

As soon as racing was over at Thruxton Steve headed off to catch the ferry to France where he will compete in the Le Mans 24-hour race next Saturday for Team Kawasaki France. His team mates are fellow Superbike rider Scott Smart and Frenchman Gwen Giabbani with the riders taking turns to ride for two hours continuing throughout the night to finish on Sunday afternoon. Testing is on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday with the race set to commence at 3pm on Saturday ending 24 hours later on Sunday at 3pm.