This weekend sees the RICH Energy OMG Racing Yamaha team make the annual pilgrimage to the jewel in Lincolnshire’s crown, Cadwell Park. Round 7 of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship is a firm favourite of riders and fans alike and the 2.25-mile ribbon of tarmac that winds its way around the picturesque Lincolnshire Wolds is steeped in motorcycle racing history. Both Brad Ray and Kyle Ryde are keen to add their names to the list of winners around the stunning parkland circuit as the 2022 BSB championship heads towards the Showdown phase.
Cadwell Park is one of the most demanding circuits on the calendar with its dramatic elevation changes including the breathtaking Mountain section where bikes and riders get airborne over the crest of the short but steep climb. It’s also a circuit of two halves as the opening part of the lap heads out into the rolling parkland before the tight and twisty Woodland section winds its way from the Mountain to the start/finish straight. Cadwell Park is one of the narrowest circuits on the BSB calendar, one that see’s action come thick and fast around almost every corner of every lap of the legendary venue.
Brad Ray confirmed his showdown position last time out at Thruxton while it was a weekend to forget for Kyle Ryde as he chases his own place in the last eight, something the Nottinghamshire rider is keen to put right as soon as possible. Action gets under way on Saturday morning in front of an expected bumper Bank Holiday crowd.
Brad Ray 2nd overall, Showdown place confirmed: “Cadwell Park is a place that holds good memories for me and it’s a track I really enjoy riding. I’ve had some of my best results of previous seasons here, especially in 2018 when I took pole position and scored two second-place finishes, so it’s somewhere that definitely suits my style, and I can’t wait to get out on track there on my RICH Energy OMG Racing Yamaha R1. We know the bike is good around there as Jason proved last season, so we’ll be working hard to maintain the momentum we found at Thruxton and push for wins and podium credits again.”
Kyle Ryde 6th overall: “Cadwell Park is a real rider’s circuit and over the years I’ve had some great results there. Even though this is my third season on a superbike, we missed racing there in 2020 and a small crash in testing last season meant I missed the whole weekend with an injured foot so it’s definitely going to be a learning curve for me. I’ve got a great feeling with the RICH Energy OMG Racing Yamaha R1 after race three at Thruxton and that will hopefully continue to work well for us with the main aim of the weekend to come home with strong points in each race and get one foot in the Showdown before we move on to Snetterton.”
Chloe Jones, Junior Superstock: “I’m really looking forward to Cadwell Park on my RICH Energy OMG Racing Yamaha R6. I’ve done a few laps on my R6 practice bike and couldn’t stop smiling after the sessions. It’s an amazing circuit and one that demands your respect. It’s tight but there are plenty of places to pass and the buzz you get from racing there is like nowhere else. We didn’t have the best of rounds at Thruxton but we have a path to follow on set-up now and I’m looking forward to a strong weekend in Lincolnshire.”
