The second visit of the year to Oulton Park traditionally marks the run into the championship finale at Brands Hatch, the ‘showdown’ phase of the season. The new points system awards increased points to add to the drama of the final three rounds as the top riders compete for championship glory.
Although Oulton is a favourite circuit for many of the riders – and spectators – by its very nature it’s a real challenge. High speed corners, tight chicanes, blind rises and an undulating surface place a premium on rider skills and bike set up.
Jason and Max relish the challenge. Jason’s hand injury was improving after three weeks off the bike. Max was keen to show he hadn’t lost his touch after a challenging weekend racing a superbike at Cadwell Park for the first time.
After a wet few days, the weather was set fair, other than for a chance of rain on the Sunday. This time of year? We’d have to see.
Free Practice.
Not the most promising of starts to our weekend but at least the weather was fine. A significant transmission change on Max’s bike which should have helped didn’t. At least we know now but it did hinder Max’s progress in FP1 leading to him ending up P21, 2.4 seconds off the pace. Jason was also running over a second off the leading pace as he was still finding it difficult to apply full brake pressure and ride in his usual style, P14. No real improvements for Jason and Max in FP2 meant that for the first time in ages, both bikes would have to go through Q1 as neither rider was in the top 12 times which put the riders straight through to Q2.
Qualifying.
10-minute warm up on Saturday morning in ideal conditions. Reasonable runs on used tyres. Jason 0.9 off the best and Max better but still 1.4 seconds off.
Jason was straight out into Q1 on new tyres setting his fastest time of the weekend on a two-lap run. P1 and back into the garage. Max went out on used tyres for a quick rehearsal before coming in for his new tyres. His final lap was also his best of the weekend and placed him P2, 0.4 slower than Jason.
We topped the Q1 timesheet, but the drawback is you have to use the same tyres for Q2 while the 12 who come straight through go on new rubber. The tyre point showed up in the times as while Jason matched his best it was only good enough for P11. Max actually found another 0.3 to come to within 0.1 of Jason and end up P13.
Race One.
Lovely warm afternoon for the 18 lap feature race. Decent starts from both of our Completely Motorbikes Kawasaki ZX-10RRs. But Max got stuck on the outside of turn one, Old Hall. A common Oulton Park problem. He came out behind Hickman, Buchan and Skinner who was still recovering from his leg injury and riding defensively. Buchan crashed out, and on lap 10 Hickman moved forward, passing Jason, and Max got by Skinner for P11 with Jason next up, just under a second up the road. Jason hadn’t quite had the pace to go with the leading group but was able to up his pace in the second half of the race as he closed back in on Hickman with Max right behind. And that’s how it stayed to the flag, P10 and 11, 10 seconds behind the winner Ryde, and Max 0.1 behind Jason as they crossed the line. Both had recorded their second fastest lap last time round. Running almost on the leaders pace after 18 laps was a positive sign that Jason’s hand was holding out.
Race Two.
Sunday – and they were right, it did rain. Torrential rain all morning and into the afternoon. Track action is delayed to mid-day at Oulton out of respect for the church service in the nearby village. The usual 10-minute warm up became a short, wet practice session to check out the new suspension setting to help deal with the conditions. Based on race one times, Max starting P10 and Jason next along, P11. No dramas. Max taking it really steady as there was only a short gap until race two so he didn’t want to crash! But the rain came down again and the race was delayed and shortened to 10 laps, rather than 12 as originally planned.
Full wet set up and tyres. Jason had a reasonable feel and got away with the leaders. Max on the other hand got caught in the wrong place again at Old Hall, losing four places and dropping into a midfield group that didn’t have the same pace as the leaders. He was badly hampered by water getting on the inside of his visor but soldiered on. Lap times 10 seconds slower than in the dry. Jason made up three places on lap one and was running strongly in a good battle with the group of eight riders who had pulled clear of the field, eventually finishing P6, 4.4 seconds behind Irwin’s winning Ducati. Max did what he could in a very busy group of nine riders who were covered by only a few seconds at the line. P15 for the final point but racing in good company with the OMG Yamaha’s and FHO BMWs.
Race Three.
On the grid, Jason P10 and Max P13. Delayed until after 5pm and reduced to 15 laps. Cold wet but drying in places track surface. What tyres to use? Some on full wets, some wet front and intermediate rear, some intermediate front and rear, some intermediate front and rear slick, and some slicks all round. Take your pick! Jason went for inters all round, Max had his brave head on and went for slicks all round – the hero or zero option.
Jason only completed half a lap before crashing out on the change of direction in Hizzy’s Chicane as his intermediate front tyre didn’t grip up on the greasy surface. In the event, the race was stopped after seven laps as the rain came back but actually to clear up after two crashes down the hill into Hizzy’s Chicane. Max had been surviving on his slicks and his lap times had started to drop as his tyre choice started to come into play – before the rain came back as he retired to the pits, just as the red flag came out. Upsetting for Stacey – 15 seconds in the lead – wet front, intermediate rear and a lot of nerve.
5 lap restart – everyone on full wets. No Jason because of his crash. Max P15 on the grid out of the 18 survivors. Steady start in the spray. Max only made up one place on lap one but as the field spread out he got going and was really flying! Passing far more experienced riders lap by lap and circulating at the same speed as the leaders, Max made up 11 places to finish P4 – an outstanding effort in the conditions and after a difficult weekend.
Championship Standings.
Jason P9 on 180 and Max P13 on 121. Too far back to challenge for championship honours but still plenty to prove over the final two rounds. Up front, it’s still between Bridewell and Ryde.
Next Time.
Home round next. Our second visit of the year to Donington Park. Scene of Jason’s first win on a Kawasaki and Max’s favourite track. Over the three races, let’s see what we can do.
Hopefully the weather will be on our side.
Hope to see you there.
Regards. Nigel. Team Principal.
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