Tommy Hill aims for Oulton podium

Tommy Hill goes to the final MCE British Superbike round at Oulton Park this weekend, still aiming to achieve his goal of at least one podium finish this year.

He said: “At Silverstone we improved the result from Croft, and had two consistent top five finishes, but as I said in the interviews at the time, I still haven’t achieved my personal target, I need to be on the podium.

“The last time I raced at Oulton was back in 2007, but putting this to the back of my mind, a top three will be good and I would be happy, but winning will just put the icing on the cake.

“I’ve been speaking with Mick Shanley (his technician), and he feels they have made more improvements to the bike (the team had a new air-bleed system at Silverstone to improve corner entry).

“If we can get everything working together, there’s no reason we cant stand on top of the podium at Oulton Park.

“I can’t believe how fast the race season has come and gone.

“This year has been an adventure as well as a big learning curve for me, with different teams and different bikes, but in all a fantastic experience, working with so many different mechanics and team bosses.

“Going into Oulton I’m as focused as ever, but there is something more I need to give this week- end.

“I really like the circuit and love the track surface, with blind crests, tight chicanes, climbs.

“It’s got pretty much everything an ex-motocrosser could want. There’s never time for a breather.

“It’s very physical. Where there’s a straight you’re trying to pull yourself over the bike to stop the wheelie, and every corner leads onto another, so I’m hoping the training will pay off.”