The fastest circuit on the Bennetts British Superbike calendar awaits for RICH Energy OMG Racing Yamaha this weekend as Round 6 of the championship launches into action at the incredible Thruxton circuit in Hampshire. Boasting one of the fastest sections of track anywhere in the UK the former aerodrome is not for the faint of heart. The sight of superbikes in fifth gear at almost full throttle, bucking, weaving, and sliding their way through Village and Church before arriving at the hardest braking zone on the calendar at almost 200mph means you can’t take your eyes off the racing for a second.
Last season Yamaha won all three superbike races at Thruxton and both of the RICH Energy OMG Racing Yamaha riders are hungry to emulate that feat. Second-place in the championship, Brad Ray, and fifth-place Kyle Ryde are keen to return to the podium and consolidate their positions in the Showdown eight with just three rounds to go, knowing that the fast and flowing nature of the Thruxton circuit will suit their own Yamaha R1 machines. The one major difference at Thruxton for the Superbike class is the popular Pirelli SCX rear tyre is unavailable for safety reasons due to the abrasive nature and high speeds around the former Second World War Aerodrome.
It’s a full house for the RICH Energy OMG Racing Yamaha in Hampshire as Lissy Whitmore returns to action on her Yamaha R3 in Junior Supersport as the series re-joins the main championship after supporting the WorldSBK round at Donington Park. After her crash in the closing stages of the Junior Superstock race at Brands Hatch, Chloe Jones is ready to make amends at the ultra-fast circuit and continue her progress aboard her Yamaha R6 as both riders make their class debuts at Thruxton.
Brad Ray, British Superbike: “It’s been a long wait again between rounds but we’re back to a more regular calendar now to gain some real momentum to secure our Showdown place. We’re close, but there’s still work to do and the sole aim this weekend is to be back on the top step of the podium. I was disappointed with three fourth places at Brands Hatch but that’s history now and we’re looking forwards to a strong weekend at Thruxton.”
Kyle Ryde, British Superbike: “Although we didn’t make it onto the podium last time out, Brands Hatch was a good round for me and we want that to continue at Thruxton. It’s a track that suits the Yamaha R1 and it’s a place I enjoy, having won there in GP2 and Superstock 600 over the years and took my first top six of 2021, so I’m looking forward to getting down to the weekend and having three really good races. We still have work to do to confirm our Showdown place and we’ll be working hard to bring that even closer by the end of the weekend.”
Chloe Jones, Junior Superstock: “I’m really looking forwards to Thruxton this weekend after a disappointing Brands Hatch. It’s another track to learn on the Yamaha R6 but it’s a place I love because it’s so fast and it’s the track where I scored my best points in 2021. To do the same again this weekend would give a nice confidence boost to both me and the team and give us a good base for the rest of the year.”
Lissy Whitmore, Junior Supersport: “Excited for this weekend is an understatement. I can’t wait to be back with the team as Donington Park BSB seems a lifetime ago. It won’t be an easy weekend as it will be my debut at Thruxton in any form of racing but I’m ready for the challenge! It looks like a mega track that’s fast, wide, flowing, and fun. Plenty of learning and good progress every session is the order of the weekend.”
