British Super Bikes - Test Days

2 April 2022

Snetterton

So there are three test days before the British Super Bikes season kicks off at Silverstone on the 15th of April. Two have been completed - Snetterton and Donington. The PistonClick team were at both of them to photograph the action and try and make some sense of what this year could bring. So what have we learned so far from the sunshine at Snetterton and the snow showers of Donington?

Well not a lot really, we never do! So you could be disappointed if you are looking for some in-depth analysis. All you are going to get is a few musings from someone who waves a camera in the general direction of the racers! The team have covered the testing in recent years, from Spain to Silverstone, and all we get from the data is that the top ten are running fast, faster than previous years.

O'Halloran #22 and Sykes #66, who is making his come back into BSB this year, were both under the Snetterton lap record as were others but that doesn’t mean much. It's just testing, and as the factories and teams develop the bikes we expect them to be faster than last year.

However, BSB Racing is so different to testing, the top ten riders were split by less than a second at Snetterton but add in racing and that can all change. Defending lines, trying to out-brake each other, last second lunges up the inside will disrupt the racer's flow, and factor in the odd "racing incident" and the results that count and the times posted could go one way or another.

That’s why I think BSB is one of the great British motorsports spectacles. Any one of the top ten from the Snetterton test could, and probably will be, on the podium. But who will be spraying the champagne from the top step most frequently? Let's take a look at the top five who posted the best overall times from Snetterton. 

We know the front runner from Snetterton, Jason O'Halloran, is fast. He has proved that on the day and throughout last season. We know he is on a good bike with a championship winning team behind him, but has he got it in him to take this years crown? I think he has a point to prove as he was so nearly there last year.

If we didn’t have the show down he would have been crowned champion. But the show down, like it or loathe it, is part of the series and he will need to be consistent and hungry for the full season.

Tom Sykes will also be popping the corks. He is a super bike world champion with a hat full of podiums at the highest level, and nearly won the British Superbikes back in 2006 so has the pedigree to put in a serious challenge this year.

He is also in a championship wining team with PBM who have history with him, so it's not like he is coming in cold. But does he have the mental desire to win? One thing is for sure, I'm looking forward to seeing him race in this class.

Bradley Ray is another one who can reach the top step given the right track and a bit of luck, but for me is not championship material. From my view trackside he doesn’t seem to have that killer instinct like Brookes and MacKenzie who will both throw caution to the wind for that chance at winning. A showdown contender, but not in the top three.

Josh Brookes is another proven winner with the guts to take on the pack and grab that win. Last year he struggled after winning the previous year's championship and then started to come back, but he had lost so much ground he was just doing it for his own personal pride at the end of the season.

If he hits the ground running, the PBM Brookes / Sykes v McAMS O'Halloran / MacKenzie battle could result is a classic year in the history of BSB racing.  

Rory Skinner for me is the unknown element this year. He is and has been fast, posting personal bests and topping the timing sheets in the fifth session at Snetterton, which shows there is more to come from this young man. I think he will be a show down contender but not top three this year. I hope he proves me wrong! 

When you start to look down the timing sheets at the next five  - Buchan, MacKenzie, Hickman, Kent and Tommy Bridwell you start to realise that the standard of riders in this year's championship is high, very high. And we haven't even mentioned the Irwins, Iddon, Vickers and Jackson. 

Out of this set, MacKenzie and Bridewell are probably the pick of the bunch just because they are settled in teams that have proven race winning credentials. MacKenzie will want to retain his title and try to emulate his father's three titles.

However, when you look at Hickman's results from last year, two wins and three podiums with a stack of 4th and 5th places, he will be up there.

And with the FHO team in their second season with Ryan Vickers joining them, they could spoil the McAMS and PBM party, as will Bridewell if the Oxford Racing Team can squeeze a bit more power from his Ducati.

Donington

It was a risk going to the Donington test day as the British weather had decided that, after a few glorious days of perfect biking weather, it was time for a change. The day was a bust, with the morning starting well. It was bright and dry but very cold so the sessions were delayed until 10am then came the first of many snow showers.

No problem, time for a slap up breakfast in the café where we were joined by all the marshals and the racers that had turned up.

Most of the Superbike teams had decided it wasn’t worth the trip so the paddock was a little quiet. PBM and Lee Hardy Racing did unpack but didn’t go out and test. Only 17 riders from the support classes leathered up and ventured out between the snow showers, with only 7 of them posting times.

True Heroes Racing did venture out on track, and this inspirational team are one of my favourites because of what they represent. They are dedicated to supporting wounded, injured and sick UK Service personnel and Veterans through motorsport.

Anyone who rides a motorcycle will understand the freedom, adrenaline rush and feeling of well-being that a ride can give you, which is important when you have experienced some darker moments in your life. 

Disabled Army Veteran Chris Ganley on the #89 Ducati V2 Panigale is riding for True Heroes Racing this year in the Ducati TriOptions Cup. I have watched Chris for a few years in club racing.

He is easy to spot, what with him only having one arm. Unfortunately he took a low speed tumble at Redgate.

He picked himself up and dusted himself off and called it a day. Riding in those conditions is tricky, but doing it with one arm takes guts and determination. I salute you! 

Donington didn’t seem to like the number 89 on a Ducati,  Davy Jones who is riding in the Super Sport Class also had a moment when the back end snapped round launching him right out of the seat, somehow he managed to stay on. 

The session ended so we headed for the paddock to practice our paparazzi skills before heading home. 

Thank to David Harbey and RPW Photography for helping out on this report which you can share with your friends on Social Media.