Richards quickest in Silverstone Superstock practice

The first bikes out on track on the Silverstone GP track today were those in the National Superstock support class.

Glen Richards posted the quickest time of 2:13.064s on the Padgetts Honda, from HM Plant Honda’s Josh Brookes and Richard Cooper on the Jentin BMW.

Richards said: “It’s weird, there’s no braking markers and you’re not really sure of where the track goes or how much of the kerbs you can use. I even ran straight on the first lap.” 

Third quickest Cooper said: “It’s a mega track. It’s like being abroad again. You can use all the kerbs and not worry about which barrier to miss or what mountain to climb!

“I’m impressed how quickly they’ve turned this place around. Okay there’s still some work at the far end of the course going on and the track is dirty but it’s all come together so well.”

Straight from the TT, John McGuinness and Michael Rutter both found the wide open spaces rather strange.

McGuinness was 16th quickest with the Padgetts Honda and said: “After two weeks at the TT it feels like we”re doing 35mph down the straights. It’s so wide but when we know the way around we’ll be using a lot more of the kerbs.”

Rutter, on the Riders BMW, was one spot ahead of McGuinness in the times and
said: “It was terrifying not knowing where I was going. And there’s no braking markers. I think it’ll be great for the Dcuati when we come back for the BSB round.

“My BMW is still on NW200 gearing so I was only running four gears and it’s weird being on the Metzelers (after two weeks of racing the HM Plant Honda on Dunlop rubber at the TT).