Still jet lagged from the TT, the team hit the road once more on the short trip to Oliver's Mount. The truck hadn't even been unloaded from the TT and the bikes remained as they left the IoM so Friday night, the bikes were cleaned, checked and all the relevant changes made to pick up where we left off, from the Spring Cup back in April.

The forecast for the weekend was great and Saturday morning started as it meant to go on, with glorious sunshine and perfect track conditions. Qualifying for the open and senior races went to plan, qualifying on front row however, the 600 was showing signs of tiredness after the TT and a lack of top speed, dropped Daley to the second row in the supersport.

First race of the day was the supersport, where Daley continued to struggle with the little Suzuki for power but he managed to hang on for the 8 laps, finishing a credible 4th, however slightly disappointing after leading the full race earlier in the year, he felt he was capable of so much more.

Race two saw the first leg of the open. Mathison got a great great start, tucking in behind Dean Harrison into the first corner, Daley really had the bit between his teeth now, really wanting to beat Harrison on his 4th year unbeaten run! Daley tucked into the slipstream down the back straight and went for the pass into memorial corner, unfortunately the pass was slightly ambitious and Daley ran on into the grass, gently tipping off the bike, cutting his race short. Due to the low speed of the off, Daley was absolutely fine with no damage to the bike other than a smashed screen. 

A new screen was fitted to the bike and Daley was checked over by the medics and declared fit to next race - which was 20 minutes later! The bike was then pushed once again onto the front row of the grid, for the last race of the day the senior (leg one). Another great start saw Daley in the exact same position again heading down the back strait, this time he decided against making the move and tucked tightly in behind Dean. The two boys (Daley & Dean) quickly proved they were on another level, both taking big chunks out of the rest of the field, with every lap pulling away further and further. On lap five, Dean put in an exceptional lap only 0.100 off the lap record and just started to pull a gap. On lap 8, Daley was more than happy with the fight he had put up and crossed the line with less than 3 seconds behind Dean. Now the race was on for Sunday!

Sunday morning and the sun was already heating the track, while the rubber from Saturday meant that grip levels on track would be the highest we have had in years and all the riders were excited to get out in morning warm up. The qualifying for the feature race saw Daley put the Eddie Stobart BMW on P2 next Dean, on the front row with nothing in the times once again.

Race one was the second leg of the senior almost a mirror image of Saturdays race and Daley realised he would have to break Guy Martin's long standing lap record, to be able to beat Dean in the feature race!

Supersport second leg, a good start Daley, who was in forth position again but some how managed to pull the pin on lap four, moving up to third picking up the pace and quickly started to catch 2nd place but unfortunately there wasn't enough laps left and to pick of youngster McLean. 

During the lunch break, the team made numerous changes to the superbike to help Daley find an answer to the some what unstoppable Harrison. The build up to the Cock o' the North feature race, with the pre race interview heating up now that the competition was on. The race began and Mathison was tucked in behind Harrison, who was frantically trying to break away with Mathison not letting go of his coat tails. At the end of the first lap, the gap between these two and the rest of the field was huge - they meant business! On lap two, both Daley and Dean went under the long standing lap record set buy Guy Martin but that was just the start, still battling hard on lap 6, the boys again smashed the lap record again, Dean being only marginally faster then Daley - as the gap remained the same, the excitement grew as the fasted ever race time was recorded - Dean just ahead of Mathison as they crossed the line!

Daley was desperate to beat Dean and prove his worth at Oliver's Mount but the last race of the day wouldn't give him that opportunity. The open second leg, meant he had to start from the back of the grid due to his tumble in the first leg on Saturday. Mathison took this all in his stride as he ploughed his way through the field, quickly slotting into 2nd position and pulling away from the pack. Unfortunately, Dean already had too much of a gap to rein him in, as he watched his pit board and controlled the race. Daley was happy with second from the back of the grid and the day ended once again, with Dean on top.

Podium celebrations had the team overwhelmed with how close the days racing had been! "I would never have believed I would go under Guy's lap record, even though I knew it would take that to beat Dean but unfortunately, he upped the game. Second fastest man around there is no mean feet. The Eddie Stobart BMW was outstanding all weekend"

Finally a massive thank you to all of our sponsors who have helped to put this years package together. Daley is make huge steps forward and couldn't do it with out your help and support. 

Kind regards
Daley Mathison Racing

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