First session was Free Practice and it didn't go as planned. I struggled with a vague front end and ended up in a disappointing 24th position 3 seconds off the pace. That evening Ian and I took a walk around the circuit and thought about what could be done to make it better and how it would affect the overall package around the WHOLE circuit. The changes were made and I went to bed sure that it would help me to find a big chunk of time the next day in first qualifying.
Unfortunately it turned out that we had gone entirely the opposite way we should have. The problems had worsened and it was frustrating as the harder I tried the worse the problems became and no matter what we twiddled with it didn't get any better. We had dropped the forks through but in fact should have taken more weight off the front end - not something that can be done in the pit lane during a 25 minute session. By the time a red flag came out I had slipped to the final qualifying spot, a shameful 40th position.
We had a bit of a rethink and I had a relax and tried to clear my head before the second qualifying and race on Monday. Unfortunately it rained before second qualifying and although it had dried sufficiently to not physically affect lap times I have never been able to ride well in the damp. Despite this I managed some damage limitation and clawed back up to 26th position. Not ideal but better than 40th!
The race didn't really go according to plan either. Somebody beside me on the grid started to creep and the starter held the lights for what seemed like a minute and I followed. I stopped just as the lights went out and wasn't aggressive enough for the first lap. The upshot of this was 39th over the line for the first time. I slowly made my way up the field which was made more difficult by the 2 or 3 laps under the safety car. It is also very difficult when all 40 riders are covered by a difference of less than 3 seconds. In the last lap I managed to overtake a further three riders to end up a disappointing 18th position.
I learnt a lot over this weekend. Actually, more like a lot that I already knew was confirmed this weekend. In the British Championship you can never afford to have a single lazy lap. Every single one has got to be right on the limit so you can make useful adjustments in the small amount of practice available. Qualifying is all important and the most important part of the race is in the first lap. All of these are areas that I need to work on for the next round at Brands Hatch!
Live Race Feed
Lap Pos Lap Time Difference
1 36 1:59.284 -10.791
2 33 1:47.873 -14.739
3 31 1:47.635 -18.195
4 Safety Car
5 30 2:20.531 -14.227
6 28 1:47.126 -15.799
7 28 1:46.589 -17.730
8 26 1:48.259 -21.788
9 25 1:47.580 -24.871
10 23 1:47.620 -27.973
11 22 1:46.586 -30.594
12 22 1:46.263 -32.770
13 22 1:47.758 -36.511
14 18 1:46.705 -39.190
Qualifying Latest
Olie Linsdell has qualified in provisional 26th place for this afternoon's second round of the National Junior Superstock Championship at Oulton Park.
Olie was back in 40th place after Sunday's qualifying in wet conditions on Sunday and was progressing up the field in Monday morning's dry second session when the red flags came out with just under three minutes of the session remaining.
One second covers the next 17 positions.
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Race Preview
"I'm aiming to put in another good qualifying but this time turning it into points in the race."
Olie Linsdell speaking before the Oulton Park round of the National Junior Superstock Championship this May Bank Holiday weekend.
The twenty year old Team Blackhorse Yamaha rider was well on the pace at Thruxton and was hugely disappointed after his crash on the last lap of qualifying, which left him with an injured left shoulder and unable to start the race.
Thankfully the injury has healed well and Olie and the team are determined to get their season underway at the picturesque and challenging Cheshire circuit which has hosted some of the great races of yesteryear and where sections such as Lodge, OldHall, Knickerbrook and Druids are familiar to the riders and dedicated race fan alike. Olie rates Oulton Park, with its tight, twisting turns and long straights, as one of his favourite tracks and indeed, it was where he made his racing debut in 2003 in Superteens.
Team Manager Ian Lougher:
"All the team are very much looking forward to this weekend's event at Oulton Park. Although it's a circuit which is a favourite of many riders, its variety of undulations can cause a few headaches when chasing a good chassis set-up. However, Olie has already demonstrated his ability in setting up the machine and clearly his previous lap times prove he is capable of cutting it with the front runners. So hopefully he has his bad luck firmly behind him now and we can come away from Oulton Park with some championship points in the bag."
Olie Linsdell:
"We have had two disappointing weekends so far this year and it's important to kick start our campaign this weekend. I know I can run with the pace and can't afford any more mistakes with such a busy period coming up with the rescheduled Brands Hatch round, the North-West 200 and the TT within the next month or so. Having said that, I won't be holding back and aim to be at the sharp end again at Oulton Park!"
National Junior 600cc Superstock Schedule: Oulton Park
Saturday 3rd May - Free Practice 1 (11.20-11.45) Free Practice 2 (15.45-16.15)
Sunday 4th May - Qualifying 1 (16.05-16.30)
Monday 5th May - Qualifying 2 (10.30-10.55) Race (17.15)