Brands Hatch Round 2 British Superbikes.

The long weekend was set to be superb with glorious sunshine blessing the circuit just outside the capital city.

Another new circuit for Daley to learn, although only the shorter Indy circuit - the Eddie Stobart Superstock bike was ready to hit the track in our first session on Friday afternoon(free practice 1). First impressions of the track were fantastic; the TV really doesn't do the terrain justice as lap times quickly tumbled, as Daley got to grips with the circuit.

Another glorious day, with sunshine blazing through the trees, saw Saturday’s free practice 2 and qualifying looming, Daley quickly started setting personal best times and with a few suspension changes, the 1000cc BMW was consistently lapping a mere 1.3s slower than pole position. In most races, this would have been good enough for a front row start but British Superstock is one of the most competitive championships in the world, resulting in 32nd place on the grid as all 40 qualified riders, were separated by just under 2 seconds. 

Sunday’s race day was slightly overcast but thankfully, the forecast began to brighten up. Daley had suspension issues on the morning warm up, after changes made overnight had unfortunately, gone in the wrong direction but additional changes, were made for the 50mile race. The race started well for Daley however, suspension issues still plagued with a lack of grip causing excessive tyre wear; luckily the race was cut short due to a few spots of rain around the track, resulting in Daley finishing 32nd, in his original qualifying position.

Overnight, the team worked hard on setup and data to try to dial out issues for Monday’s morningwarmup and made inroads to settings and were heading in the right direction – with things back to qualifying times. Just before the race, Daley decided to make a big change and go harder on the rear spring, which could have gone either way. The lights went out, Daley instantly started putting in personal bests, lapping consistently and a fantastic 5 bike battle, turned into a fantastic race to which Daley got the better of and finally finished 30th.

The team saw this as a huge success, learning both on and off the track. The team headed home and hardly had time to unload, before they were packed and ready for the first road race of the year……

The Bob Smith Spring Cup at Oliver’s Mount

Friday 21st April saw the sun shining in the glorious seaside town of Scarborough, for the first road race of the season, at Oliver’s Mount for the famous, Bob Smith Spring Cup. Having only just returned from Brands, the season was well and truly, underway! 

Having attended Oliver’s Mount for over 10 years, this is a firm favourite as well as the unofficial, “home” track for Daley and the excitement was certainly building, to see the brand new Eddie Stobart Racing BMW Superbike, make her Scarborough debut.  

Saturday morning, the team woke to unannounced rain which made for a greasy track and some adjustments to the machinery, allowing for the weather implications. Practices went down well and qualification saw some great times and grid positions secured, just missing out on pole by mere 0.1 seconds. The afternoon saw the sun shining again and the track drying out. More changes were made to revert to original bike settings before it was lights out and go go go, as the bikes raced for the first time in the opening Junior race.  

Saturday’s Junior saw an impressive 2nd place battle between Hegerty and Daley, as Harrison went in the distance. Whilst the Senior that day, saw the Eddie Stobart Racing Superbike achieve her first race finish in a fine podium 3rd position – not bad for a first attempt. Due to an unfortunate technical in the Open qualifying, Daley started at the back of the grid however, this wouldn’t deter the determined Daley who pushed his way through the crowd of machinery in the race to secure an impressive, 5th place finish. 

Sunday saw the most glorious of days for a Scarborough race weekend. The fans cheered as the bikes roared around the circuit. The sounds and smells are unbelievable as you’re so close to the track, you can literally touch out to the riders. A closely fought race, which some regulars (some of which have attended for over 50 years), compared it to the epic Barry Sheene Days, saw dual between Daley and Dean Harrison. Daley pushed his 600 with all of his might, as she gripped and turned with passion and grace. Fighting off Harrison at each turn. Daley was tucked in tight, using his knowledge of the track to continue to lead the race, lap after lap. Harrison edged out in front before Daley grabbed 1stposition back. Unfortunately, it was Harrison that somehow found extra power on the last corner, pushing past and only just securing 1st place with Daley tightly behind, for 2nd. Not much rest between races and Daley was out again. Sunday’s Senior race saw more epic battles, this time for 3rd place with Lee Johnston – Daley battled on to reach another podium finish with huge cheers from the fans.

The main race of the weekend, The Bob Smith Spring Cup Race, saw the crowds gathering on the banks - the fans all in awe, of the grid that lay before them. As the ITV 4 TV cameras began to roll, the media cameras clicked and the fans cheered, this was certainly building to be, an epic race. As there was no official timed qualifying for this race, the grid was a result of combined qualifying times from the previous day – meaning Daley sat on the 2nd row. The hairs on the back of your neck began to stand. The race, as had been the situation all weekend, was certainly competitive and tight. With the top 5 all pushing for that 1stplace spot. The competitiveness is so exhilarating to say the least around the tight corners of Oliver’s Mount but again, it proved to be Harrison’s weekend with Daley just missing out on a podium finish.  

The final race of the day was Sunday’s Open and having battled yet again with the top riders, Daley settled with 5th after battling for 2nd, having slipped into neutral and dropping back 2 places.

As another highly successful weekend came to a close, the team went home happy with what was achieved, having also smashed both personal best times on a 600 and Superbike around the circuit: leaving with a handful of podium finishes and most importantly, giving the fans the competitive racing and entertainment that they know and love. 

Thanks to everyone supporting in their various capacities – we couldn’t do it without you all. From the sponsors, to the fans, to the marshals and media. Everyone is vitally important to Daley and the team. 

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