We’re stoked to have such a talented team on our side as we do and we’re constantly building our family team with talents all across the pond. Luke Shelley is our rider in UK competing in Superstock 600 with his Honda CBR600RR and gives us the run down from the last round at Mallory Park.
Had a nice dry track for the Friday testing which for me was just to get myself dialled back into the bike as we knew we already had a awesome suspension / bike set up. So I was ready to roll for qualifying.
I had a 15min session to get in my fastest lap of 56sec flat which was my PB. That time placed me front row of the grid but in 4th, which worked out great as it placed me on the inside for turn one. I was happy with another front row start.
Saturday Race:
Race 1:
I missed morning warm up as the conditions were horrible, the conditions stayed the same for the race wet but with a single dry line worst conditions possible. I got a good start and got myself into 3rd place through turn one but I had major confidence in the bike and out braked everyone into turn one and took the lead, where I sat and lead the race for the next 4 laps until I made a small mistake at the chicane and dropped back into second. I then battled out with the championship leader for 2nd place and managed to pull a gap of over 3 seconds on him across the line and took my best finish of the year.
The track conditions were improving for the 2nd race as the dry line continued to grow bigger
Race 2:
I got a flying start into Gerard’s behind the race leader and gained loads of time on him into turn 2 but unfortunately had a huge moment on the exit to the turn and dropped down to 3rd. I took a few laps then to gain my rhythm back and got back into 2nd position on lap 6 where again I pulled away from 3rd and had another comfortable 2nd position.
Race 3:
This race was a double pointer for the missed Anglesey races, so my mind set was to just finish and gain some championship points. I was starting from 3rd on the grid but got a awful start and dropped back to 5th but gained back two positions through turn one where I stayed throughout the whole race, just stayed smooth and inline, so that no mistakes were made.
Sundays Race:
Race 1:
The race was declared as a wet race but there wasn’t enough water on the track to run wets so we took a risk and ran dry tyres. I got a flying start and got into 2nd into turn one and I had a huge moment half way through and dropped back to 4th place and had a huge gap to make back. I put in a bunch of mega laps and caught back up onto 3rd place but got held up by back markers on the last lap so I couldn’t challenge for the last podium position. I got another 4th place so solid points again.
Race 2:
I got a amazing launch off the line but unfortunately had to brake as the front wheel kept lifting, so I dropped back into 4th spot. I then made a huge mistake at the hairpin and ran out wide but stayed on track. By the time the I got back on it the group had already spread and I just bought it home in 4th position again.
Overall this season ive had so many ups and downs from breaking my wrist and fracturing my pelvis to getting back on the bike at the last round and getting my best results! I honestly couldn’t of done it without the help of you and all my sponsors! I really appreciate the help you’ve provided me with this season. I also managed to pull back from 13th in the championship back to 5th, so I’m well chuffed to get a top 5 finish in my first season.
Stay tuned for more from Luke and what will come from 2013!