Damon Rees and Shane Richardson head to Bennetts British SBK Championship Round 4 at Oulton Park this weekend ready to do battle with tightly contested Superstock 1000 class with Rees currently standing 3rd and Richardson placed 16th Overall.
Having put all learning curves to practical use, both Damon and Shane relish the thought of making improvements where necessary on board Astro JJR Racing Team’s BMW S1000rr, with Damon now comfortable on racing such tightly packed field and Shane all the better with points on the board from previous Round results of 8-13.
Damon: ‘Probably learning to race in such a large field has been main learning curve. Even when everyone has settled into the race, you’re still going to be duking it out with multiple riders’.
‘If you make even the smallest mistake, you could loose multiple places. Although it’s been a big learning curve, it’s exactly the situation I need to be in, to better myself as a rider’.
Shane gains additional benefit from taking maiden win at the iconic circuit in 2019 BSB Superstock 600 class. Shane: ‘I’m excited to get to Oulton Park. I’ve had good results there last year and enjoy the track, but more than anything I’m really looking forward to just having another go at improving on everything I’ve learnt from riding the BMW in stock 1000 this year’.
With history records standing proud for Kiwi rider’s it was no less than NZ’s legend Denny Hulme who took the win in 1972 Formula One International Gold Cup at Oulton Park, with Hulme’s legacy residing in winning 1967 Formula One World Drivers Championship.
Paying it forward to pathways forged by British and NZ Motorcycling legends, 2020 marks significant milestone for NZ Motorsport with 2 Kiwi’s taking up the challenges of racing on British home circuits.
Hard to fathom, but early race records at Oulton Park on August 6th 1962 state best lap of 1 minute 50 seconds at 90 mph on board 500cc to present day BSB Superstock 600 by Rhys Irwin – best lap at 57.253 at 97mph.
For Damon, it is all about the race experience to better himself as a rider, along with Team-rider Shane who is eager to sustain improvements of racing style on board the stock 1000.
Damon: ‘I managed to get there for a test day, a few weeks ago. It was wet all day, but it gave me a good idea of the track layout. So, Friday’s practice will be spent getting comfortable on the track and getting the right bike set-up. Then with the race, I’m just going to stay cool, calm and collected, continue the positive momentum from the previous rounds and make sure I hold my own against the Brits!’
Shane: ‘I think I was pleased to just get points on the board as you mentioned. Results wise I wasn’t ecstatic with my position because I believe I am capable of a lot more, but it was really nice to have an issue free weekend to really understand where I’m at’.
‘I learnt so much from Silverstone with regard to things I have to learn, adjust and adapt to- to be competitive on the 1000. My style on the bike still needs some work to maximize the performance of the package I have which is definitely one of the best’.
‘That will be a big focus for me this weekend, trying to ride the bike how it needs to be ridden. I think if I can begin to pick that up better the results will follow suit, so I’m focusing a lot more on myself and less about where I am on the results sheet’.
Words: Sharon Cox.
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