With this summer’s weather causing the cancellation of two Superstock races, the series turned up at Croft with only four rounds remaining, but with six races to run. That’s a full 150 points still up for grabs, and together with a number of rider developments in the paddock over the past couple of weeks, the BSB 2007 Superstock Championship remains very much there for the taking.
Although Glen arrived at Croft with a 39 point lead over Steve Brogan, it was clear that this round was not going to be easy. Hudson Kennaugh, Glen’s main rival early season was back with Raceways after his Superbike adventure, Steve Brogan’s Honda was not going to hang around and last season’s champion, Brendan Roberts was back with the British series and had already shown glimpses of what he can do on the Buildbase Ducati. In fact, many people believe the Superstock class the tightest within the BSB and any rider out of the top 20 is considered capable of delivering a race winning performance.
For once in dry sunny conditions, Friday’s free practice saw Glen on the pace early. The set-up wasn’t perfect and new forks meant there was some work to be done, but out of the box all seemed to be positive. That was until lap 12 when a small mistake at the complex caused the rear wheel to slide, grip and flip. The low speed of the off meant that Glen was perfectly OK and the bike was repairable, but the incident underlined the effort that was required to stay in touch with fastest man Kennaugh and second place Brogan.
Thankfully, free practice for Embassy rookie, AJ Venter went without incident and he posted a respectable 1:26.5. The bike was good and with a few minor tweeks, Aj felt he could improve his time for qualification.
So later in the day, with new bodywork and a couple of bruises, Glen went out to qualify his 45 bike and although he was still not 100% happy with the set-up, the strength of competition and the quality of the bikes around him was clear. Posting a 1:24.2, Glen secured a provisional 4th place on the grid. Kennaugh was up front, with Roberts 2nd and Laverty in 3rd.
Under instruction to grow into the weekend, AJ showed maturity and patience and qualified his 39 machine sensibly in mid field.
Still warm, still sunny, Saturday’s second qualifying was no less competitive. Most of the top riders came in for new rubber mid session and went quicker. Glen took a few tenths off his best but again the competition was fierce and he was pushed out to start the race from 6th. Although not ideal, with Glen’s racing experience, skill and bravery, everyone felt that he could still do well from this position.
The second qualifying session continued to highlight AJ’s talent and he got into the 24s for the first time securing a wonderful 15th on the grid.
Race day dawned, predictably, with rain. Heavy rain. The Superstock race was scheduled for 12.40 and people were crossing fingers. Thankfully around mid morning, the sky brightened and the track dried. All the signs now pointed to a straightforward dry race. That was until five minutes before the pit lane opened. The swirling dark clouds had gathered over Croft and there was some uncertainty. As Glen rode his dry set-up bike onto the grid, the rain came, not too heavy, but heavy enough for the race to be designated wet. A decision had to be made, it was difficult – if it continued to rain, the dry tyres would offer no grip, if it dried, the wet tyres would go off too quickly. As most of the front runners were on wets by now, Glen made the call, came into the pits and changed onto his wet bike. This would mean that he had the tyres and bike set-up he wanted, but would have to start the race from the back of the grid. Just what we needed with Kennaugh, Brogan and Roberts right up at the sharp end.
In 15th place, AJ was also on dry tyres. There was some discussion about changing to wets but looking to the sky, he took a more positive view on the weather and stuck with his initial choice. It turned out to be the right one.
The race started under wet conditions and the wet tyre riders went to the front. Glen carved his way through the field taking place after place, getting as high as 12th on lap 8. AJ went backwards with equal alarm and crossed the line on lap two in 28th place.
But it was all going to change. The rain had stopped even before the race had started. The track got dryer and dry. By lap 8 it was just dry. The wets went off and the dry tyres came in. Glen fought with everything he had to hang on, but it was a simple case of the wrong tyres. A couple of riders came by, but with a monumental last ditch effort he managed to take a place back on the last lap to finish the race in 13th.
AJ, on the other hand was on a charge. With the right tyres, lots of confidences and plenty of talent he came through the field as quickly as he’d gone backwards when it was wet. By lap 10 he was 14th, by the penultimate lap he was 11th and he crossed the line to take the chequered flag in a brilliant and best ever 8th place.
So there was jubilation for AJ and a hint of disappointment for Glen. Once again the weather played more than a small part in the racing outcome of the Superstock 2007 series, but there is no getting away from the quality on display when a race finally does get underway.
The only consolation for Glen was that his nearest challengers were also on wet tyres so they did not finish as high as they might. The overall cost of the round was 6 points to Brogan and 10 to Kennaugh.
So we are still up at the front – but one thing is for sure, it’s not going to get easier.
Next round at Cadwell Park on 27th August, should be interesting.
Positions after 8 rounds
1. Glen Richards Yamaha – Embassy Racing - 138 points
2. Steve Brogan – Honda – Tengo Honda Racing - 105 points
3. Hudson Kennaugh Yamaha – Raceways Yamaha - 94 points
4. Lee Jackson – Yamaha – Krystal Racing/Space Air - 83 points
5. Ben Wilson – Suzuki – Windmill Suzuki - 77 points
AJ Venter Yamaha – Topmac Embassy Racing - 20 points
