It was a dog fight, but Glen showed determination, concentration and supreme class to bring the Embassy Racing Yamaha R1 across the line first to take a second victory at Thruxton on Sunday (15th April 2007).
Following our marvellous inaugural victory at Brands Hatch last weekend you could be forgiven for thinking that the leading BSB National Superstock team might turn up to the second round at Thruxton with a few more bodies. A few more people to help with paddock set-up fuel, tyres, technical spannering and rider pampering. Well you would be wrong.
With the Le Mans series kicking off at Monza on the same weekend, personnel commitments meant that the already low numbered Moto team turned up at Thruxton even more short handed. It is, however, a testament to the individual characters and the personality of the Embassy brand, that those who made it to the Andover circuit got on with the job without complaints and to a standard that was good enough to help Glen secure a second fabulous win.
It was an indication of how the weekend might go when late Thursday evening the only team member available to help truck driver mechanic James with the Embassy paddock set-up was BSB star and internationally renown motorbike racer, Glen Richards. Then under lights, the Australian got on with the job of making some adjustments to the R1s.
The work on the bikes continued through free practice on Friday, with Glen taking the opportunity to test the second bike and get it up to full race spec. Fitted with new clip ons and some alterations to the R1 idle, Glen was happy that he had a better bike than at Brands saying:
"We’ve made some changes and I think the R1 is improved from last week. I’ve got the bars I want now and the riding position is better. This is a very competitive class though and I’m sure the other teams will be making changes so it’s important we do well in every aspect not least of which is my performance in qualifying and the race."
Glen’s points were borne out in two ways, as on Friday he broke the Superstock lap record and on Saturday competitor Steve Brogan went even better on his Honda in qualifying to secure provisional pole. The times did not get faster for the second qualifying session and Glen started the race from P2.
In blistering temperatures, mid-day Sunday, the second Superstock race of the season got underway and it was clear from the start that three riders, Glen, Steve Brogan and South African Superstock champion Hudson Kennaugh, were going to battle it out for the podium positions. In a most exciting race with the lead changing practically every lap, all three crossed the start finish line for the 18th time in 23 minutes and 39 seconds. It was that close.
Fortunately Glen got there first beating Brogan by 0.2 of a second with Kennaugh a further 0.3 down.
It is another wonderful win for the Embassy rider and Moto team - let’s hope the racing stays this exciting all season, with the black and white R1 just nosing it every round.
Next stop Silverstone on the 29th April. See you there.
