Round 8 of the BSB British Supersport Championship was at Brands Hatch and on the Grand Prix circuit.
Like many of the circuits this year, this was the first time here for me in over a year so the early sessions of the weekend were used to get familiar with the circuit on the Supersport bike and to set everything up to suit me. 
The weekend started slow for me and in practice I wasn’t able to achieve the positions that I had hoped. Brands Hatch usually has a few ‘circuit experts’ and the pace was very quick right from the off! Fortunately, it was a dry weekend and I continued to push on and improve my lap times. I finished up free practice in 27th and 7th in the ‘Supersport Cup’… Of course I was disappointed and I knew I had time to find. The team worked well throughout the day to find a new setting to try for qualifying. I had the 30 minute session to push myself and move up the time sheets. The session went well and I was able to knock nearly 2 seconds off my lap time to secure 22nd and 4th in the ‘Cup’ but more importantly I was in touch with the leaders!
As usual, the Supersport Sprint race was on Saturday also. Of course the race was very close and difficult as expected… This race was 10 laps so I was able to make the soft tyre option last the duration. I think the race was average for me, I felt I could have pushed harder having slipped back one place to 23rd and 5th in the Cup for the chequered flag.
Race two, the feature race, has been dubbed ‘The race of the decade’ with the front guys having an awesome battle for the win! The race was stopped several times due some big crashes. The race got underway for 14 laps on the 3rd attempt. I made a good start and was determined to improve on my race one result. I had a poor feeling from the rear tyre and I think it was because it had gone through more heat cycles than it should have with the race stoppages. Nevertheless, I tried very hard to push on. I was 3rd in the ‘Cup’ until the very last lap when I was passed by another cupper! I was pretty gutted to be honest but I felt I had done all I could with the tyre I had. I finished the race in 14th which is in the main Championship points. I was 4th in the Supersport ‘Cup’. I have maintained 2nd in the Supersport ‘Cup’ again but I must find more pace in order to challenge for the wins again.
As ever I am very grateful to all my sponsers and supporters. Thanks to Mark and Libby (Double ‘M’ Racing), Motorcycle Law Scotland, Charlie Johnston, Horsetiger and my mechanics Alan, Peter and Jimmy. Thanks to Ian at bikesportpics for these photos
The next race is Round 9 at Cadwell Park 27th-29th Aug. See you there!
