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Four
races in four weeks culminated in a demanding time for the Hardinge
Ice Valley Race Team at the 11th round of the British Supersport Championships
held at Oulton Park.
Having missed the round staged at the Cheshire circuit earlier in the
season due to illness, and still suffering the effects of a shoulder
injury sustained seven days before in the Dutch world round, the challenge
was larger than usual for the rider Tom Tunstall.
Inclement weather dominated the weekend, meaning dry track time was
crucial to optimise the machine for the undulating and physical 2.6
mile track.
As the track dried out in free practice an overheating engine meant
Tunstall was unable to continue and missed out on thirty minutes of
all-important dry time.
The final qualifying session was first time in 2005 Tom had circulated
in the dry at Oulton. However, gear selection and handling problems
hindered progress, as did running out of time to use the super sticky
qualifying tyres, resulting in a lowly 19th position on the grid.
"I’ve got to admit so far it’s been disappointing –
every session we have had a problem of some kind and we are desperately
short of track time. I’m fighting the bike changing gear and trying
to hold line, which you can’t afford to do here, as it’s a
flowing track. All we can do is keep working and pushing to improve
the bike for the race. We have a lot to do, but in racing you never
give up."
Overnight work by the team found damaged gearbox internals and a revised
suspension setting allowed Tunstall to lap over 1.5 seconds quicker
the following day in warm-up.
During the 16 lap race Tom quickly cut through to 14th but although
he was lapping faster still, he was unable to catch the group battling
for 10th and maintained his position to the flag.
" It’s been a tough weekend, it's unbelievable the number
of random problems we have had. I’m struggling with strength in
my shoulder rather than the pain. Oulton is a physical track and I can’t
move around on the bike. Normally I would be gutted finishing 14th,
but putting things in perspective I guess it’s not too bad."
With 10-day gap before the penultimate round at Donington Park the time
off is welcomed to allow Tom and the team to regroup for the final two
rounds of the 2005 season.
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