Front End Feel Reignites Confidence in Sam

New found confidence boasts fourth place finishes for Sam Middlemas as the riders return to Mallory Park for round six of the East Midlands Racing Association series.

The opening 600 race for the Triumph mounted Sam saw the red number 27 motorcycle starting from fourth on the grid. A below par start from the lights dropped him back into fifth position behind the Honda rider, Paul Hughes, until a pass at Edwinas on lap two promoted Sam back into fourth.

After retaking fourth Sam set off after Michael Nibblett, Lee Statham and Michael Price. “I set the fastest laps early on as I closed in on Nibbo but I was unable to catch right up to him especially after I missed a gear out the bus stop causing me to lose drive out the Devil’s Elbow.” commented Sam.

Sam crossed the line in fourth position some 10 seconds behind the leader on the only Triumph in the class, he continued, “I ended up settling for fourth position but I had rode as hard as I could and considering the start it wasn’t all bad. My best lap was a 55.908 so this was also a personal best in a race - I was pretty happy.”

Next up on the schedule for the Triumph rider and immediately following the 600 race was the Alamo racing final. Taking up his 11th position on the grid, Sam got of to a decent start making up multiple positions and tagging on to the faster 1000cc bikes including Mark Littler on the Hawk/Marfab Kawasaki.

“I followed Michael Nibblett into Gerard’s Bend who was also out in this race. Michael queued up behind Hawk Kawasaki rider Mark Littler into Edwinas and I rode round the outside of them both. I held this position out of the Devil’s Elbow but Littler soon blasted past on the start finish straight on his fully kitted ZX10R Kawasaki Superbike.” recollected Sam.

The last class up was the final 600 race of the day. Sam commented, “I was keen to get a good start in this one and I attempted a daring move into turn one at Gerard’s Bend and managed to dive up the inside of Michael Price and Michael Nibblett. I held 2nd place for a few laps and was on terms with race and championship leader Lee Statham when all of a sudden Nibblett got through but then I got him back as he ran wide on the exit of Edwinas.”

The Triumph rider battled for second position with Michael Nibblett and dropped back to third momentarily as the Honda rider got through into second at Edwinas, only to run wide and allow Sam to pass back on the exit. The following lap Nibblett tried yet again at Edwinas this time nearly collecting Sam and himself in a do or die move.

Sam recounted, “I lost the tow from this because of Nibbo but in fairness he did apologize for being over enthusiastic. I ended up fourth again and quite annoyed but I was again in the 55’s with a massive gap back to fifth but I felt as though I could have been in the top 3 in that race and I know I’m getting closer.” Before the meeting Sam spent time with Brian Nicholson of BN Race Science well fine-tuning the front end to find a perfect set up. “After Brian had set up my suspension I went to Brands Hatch for a practice day to test the new settings. I managed to do a 49.4 which was a personal best by just over a second.”

Sam continued, “Confidence and belief has always been there I have just had problems so I need a little setup time on the bike to stabilize the rear end on entrance to Edwinas as this is where I was struggling and it is not somewhere I have struggled before. I am certain that dropping the rear ride height slightly should help improve this now so we’ll have to see what we can do, I’ll be going for it though for the rest of the year, a 54 second lap is doable.”

“A big thank you goes to my Dad for paying my race entry at this meeting as I was very low on funds due to my work not paying me correctly! Although I am always broke anyway - racings expensive! Also a big thank you to long time family friend Pete Norman and owner of Stoney Stanton Garage, Stanton Service Station for buying me a rear tyre - cheers Pete!”

By: Robin Goodwin