05/08/2025
Brands Hatch Race Report
FP1: I went out confident, knowing the track from previous years, and got to grips with it, finding all my markers again. Some markers were removed and adjusted due to the resurfacing of the track in certain areas, which led me to experiment and end the session with a 1:39.3. I was satisfied with this time, considering my injury here last year, as I went 2 seconds quicker, showing improvements.
FP2 I went through the data with the team and had a deep discussion on things that can improve the feeling on the bike. By the end of the conversation I knew what I needed to do, and went out in the next session aiming to focus on pushing markers and resulted me going 1.3 seconds faster, by changing a few different things I was doing on the bike. I greatly appreciate the support I received by the team and taking extra time to explain how I could improve.
Qualifying, wen out straight away trying to push to get a fast lap in the early part of the session, where the tyres are at their optimum and managed to slip into the 1:37s, which I was satisfied with in the first stint. In the second stint I didn't improve, nor got into a group, so took a ride through pitlane to find a group and to get a better lap time. This didn’t work out as planned, so I pushed and gritted my teeth and pushed with no tow and managed to marginally beat my lap time putting me 16th on the grid. Knowing I have the pace on my own, I was ready for the races.
Race 1 - Had a mediocre start and gained the odd position in the first sector but contact going into turn 4 resulted in me dropping down 3 positions in the group I was in. Managed to end up in a group with 5 riders and I lead the majority of the laps however with rain falling and passionate riders behind me let the group in front pull away, as they were battling from the get go but rain poured and riders became hungry dicing for position at any given point lead me to get hit wide cracking my knee slider and left 1.3s behind the group which I had caught back up within a lap or two and as I was making my way back into the group the race was red flagged due to the safety of the riders riding in the down pour on dry slick tyres.
Race 2 Had a better start and wanted to do better than the day prior as I felt I had the pace that should've put me further in the proceedings. However, I found myself stuck with the same group. It turned out to be the same, with overtakes within the group that made the group in front fly away from our grips as they were more focused on winning a battle for 14th rather than 10th in my eyes, it made no sense.
Overall, was happy with the progress I made and thank the team for ironing out what I thought was a bike issue, which was actually a rider issue. Also, to James Cook 44 for being my brolly dolly!
Looking forward to this weekend at my home track, Thruxton, which I have never ridden before
📸Photo Credit Colin Port Images
