Kirkham closes on Superstock title

National Superstock 1000 points leader, Jon Kirkham heads to the Croft, North Yorkshire this weekend to try and clinch the title on his JK Racing/ Clarkes BMW S1000RR.

Kirkham has built up a 56-point lead in the championship and hopes to take the title at Croft, where he only has to finish in the top six.

Kirkham said: “ It’s looking good. I only need to finish top six and I will be champ, which is awesome. I like Croft and have another lap record there, so I am pretty confident. I will treat this as just another race weekend, do all the same things and ride to the level required.”

Kirkham was speaking as he again prepared his own race bike, spending hours late into the night, trying to squeeze the best from his over-the-counter race bike.

“It’s been a tough season,” he admitted. “ Very competitive and we have run on low budget and an overdraft, so thanks to the bank and everyone who has chipped in. We nearly didn’t start the season at all, but managed an 11th hour plan and worked hard to get to where we are for next weekend.”

Kirkham was originally down to ride for another team, but when they lost their sponsor at the last minute, he was left high and dry and searching around for bikes and money to go racing.

But Kirkham has shown his cool and mature approach to team building, hard work and riding. He said: “ You’ve gotta roll with the downsides of racing and come back fighting.

“I have had arm pump all season, but no time for an operation, so that has hampered my riding, at Cadwell for example. Also I have had to ride within my limits because if I had dropped the bike, we don’t have the money for spares.

“But there’s no point shouting about it, we just get on with it and I have some great supporters”

Kirkham is looking to return to the main BSB class next year, which is where he feels he belongs and can do a good job.

Kirkham’s Superstock times have been quicker than many BSB Evo times and he said: “I’m looking for the chance to bounce back into the superbike class, preferably staying with BMW and showing what I can really do.

“I just need a good sponsor and experienced team to put it all into place.”