Donington Park Provides Lesson in Set-Up

Opting to race in the New Era Superclub at Donington Park Sam faced some new competition in one of the premier racing clubs in the UK.

The weekend saw Sam racing in the Sound of Thunder and Formula 600 classes. The first qualifying was for the former class and Sam ended up gaining an eighth place grid position, “it was a bit difficult as there were loads of bikes on the track at once, I didn’t get one clear lap where I didn’t have to pass a few people so I wasn’t to happy but out of the 40 or so in my class it was Ok.”

“In the 600 qualifying it went better I got a couple of decent laps and pulled off I qualified in 10th place behind Tye Kinton and Marcus Wade and just in front of Manx Grand Prix double winner Martin Sharpe.” added Sam

Sam lined his Triumph 675 for the first race of the day, the Sound of Thunder. Starting from the second row and hoping that his gearbox troubles would not arise again, but unfortunately for the Triumph rider he was still unable to get a good start. However, by the time the pack had reached Craner Curves the race was red flagged as a result of a big accident involving riders on the grid behind Sam’s position.

Sam commented, “My restart was better but the KTM Superduke of the ex-R6 Cup rider, Patrick McDougal, rocketed off the line and held me up badly for the first half of the lap before I got him at Coppice for sixth position. Unfortunately by this time the leaders had got away meaning I had a lonely race coming home in sixth and not to happy as I wanted at least a top five.”

One of the most competitive races at the event is the Formula 600 class as the winner of the series takes home a brand new Honda CBR600RR. For the race Sam took up his 10th place position on the grid. “I lined up and was fired up for this one. I got a decent start from 10th on the grid and tucked in behind Alan Percival on his Yamaha R6 and followed him for the first two laps.” detailed Sam. On the third lap of 12 he was passed by two bikes on the back straight, Sam launched an outbraking attempt into Goddards Chicane.

“I then began a cat and mouse fight until I suffered really bad arm pump and was struggling to brake. I ended up having a race long battle for 13th with Manx Grand Prix winner and new friend, Martin Sharpe. It was a good battle but I missed a gear out of the Old Hairpin and Martin beat me to the line but it was all good fun in the end.”

Sam recapped on the results of the day, “I believe my arm pump problem was down to a poor setup of the front end due to lack of ride time, which is a result of a lack of funds. Due to fighting the bike I was actually worn out as this was my second 12 lap race of the day and I’d also done two qualifying sessions.”

He added, “My results are a little disappointing but after having suspension expert Brian Nicholson look at my forks this week he tells me he has no idea how I have ridden the bike with the way the forks are. He made drastic setup changes to the front forks so here’s to hoping I will be back on the top step at Mallory at the next EMRA round on 2nd September.”

By: Robin Goodwin