We are back racing this cloudy yet warm weekend and we are ready to spend some more time out on track this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Friday is Test Day here at Donnington Park Circuit and Harry started the day off well in the 1:28s which was quicker than his timings at this circuit last year. By the end of the day Harry was in the 1:25s and still wasn't pushing the bike to the maximum. Harry has set a goal of getting into the 1:24s tomorrow. A new set of tyres was put on the bike at the end of the day ready to start fresh tomorrow to achieve that goal.
After a miserable sleep (airplanes flying over all night to land at the airport next to the track) we are ready to start the day off in the practice sessions. Harry did really well in the practice sessions and managed to hit his goal of 1:24. Harry then said his goal was to get into the 1:23s.
Qualifying in the Junior Supersport Class began with a lap time of 1:27.894 which was a good start. Half way through the timed qualifying and he hit his second goal with a 1:23.786. Harry was absolutely chuffed with this as this put him 11th on the grid for the Junior Supersport race. He ended the session with an easy 1:25.154.
Qualifying in the Open 500 began and Harry started with 1:26.400. Midway through the session Harry hit his goal of 1:23 again with a 1:23.746. With 30 seconds left of the qualifying session Harry crashed out at the hair pin and the session was ended. The ambulance and recovery crew were sent out but Harry walked himself to the ambulance and was taken straight to the medical centre. Harry was checked over as his ankle was sore but the medic reviewed and confirmed that he was fit to race. Unfortunately the bike wasn't so lucky.... The fairings on the bike weren't so lucky and neither was the exhaust as both had holes in after the crash.
The team spent most of the afternoon, including the first race for Junior Supersport, to try and put the bike together to allow Harry to continue the race weekend. After a lot of duct tape and some new handlebar grips the bike was sent to scrutineering to see if it was to up to racing standards. The bike passed and Harry was able to get back out on track for the last race of the day which was the Open 500 race.
In the Open 500 race Harry began with a strong 1:24.670. Halfway through the race and Harry is still going along and putting in a time of 1:25.335 which all things considered is brilliant that he hasn't let his crash affect his racing or his mental state. Final lap of the session and Harry finished with a 1:24.403.
It definitely wasn't the day we thought the it was going to be but we are glad that Harry is okay. We are looking forward to Harry getting back on track tomorrow.
Onto Sunday and we are jumping straight into the first Junior Supersport race. Harry is starting from the back grid and with a good start Harry put in lap time of 1:36.931 which got him into 23rd on the grid. Halfway through the race and Harry is down to the 17th with a brilliant lap time of 1:24.500. Towards the end of the race and Harry is attempting some brilliant overtakes. With a final lap time of 1:25.410, Harry finished in 16th overall which from starting from the back of the grid was a brilliant accomplishment.
First Open 500 race and Harry is starting in the 23rd on the grid. With a first lap time of 1:36.329. Half way through the race and Harry has fallen two places on the grid but is still putting in good lap times around the 1:26/1:27 mark. After a brilliant overtake on the last lap Harry finishes the race in 24th position with a final lap time of 1:26.395.
Final Junior Supersport race of the day and what a race! Harry started the race in 16th and put in a first lap with a time of 1:32.184. Harry has set his eyes on the nearest Junior Supersport and within the first few laps has got himself 11th on the grid with a great lap time of 1:24.285. The last laps are filled with anticipation as Harry pushes the bike to the limit. It all came down to the last lap in which Harry did a lap time of 1:26.856 and ultimately ended a few tenths of second behind another Junior Supersport rider.
Last race of the day is the Open 500 and Harry is 24th on the grid. With a first lap time of 1:32.960 Harry is looking forward to enjoying the final race of the day. Halfway through the race and Harry has gotten down to 22nd place with a lap time of 1:25.152 due to some good overtaking particularly around the corners. Harry is definitely taking every opportunity he can see. Final lap and Harry puts in a 1:26.862 ultimately ending 23rd place.
All in all it was a interesting weekend with it's highs and it's lows. We are super grateful to have an amazing team who put all the work in to get things fixed! We will see you at the next one!