James East
National Superstock 600
Silverstone, Round 11

Round 11 of the British Superbike Championship is held at the outstanding Silverstone GP circuit, the longest circuit on the calendar and a favourite for many riders.
After a good result at Croft on the TK Cope Yamaha, James rides aboard the machine again at Silverstone.

Free Practice
The weather is UN determinable, with random showers and heavy rain in the night the track was damp but drying in the morning practice session. James goes out to get a feel of the track but with the track rapidly drying leaving no good chance to test for settings, he ends the session early to conserve tyres and the machine. James ends up in 19th position on a 2:32:979.

Qualifying 1
The track is wet again, and treacherous in the cold windy conditions. With news of dry weather for the following day, James turns out a fast safe pace in QP1 to end the session in 13th on a 2:32:610.



Qualifying 2
Dry Conditions and James is at Home on the TK Cope Yamaha thanks to MCT Suspension. The work that had been carried out on the bike’s front suspension set up transformed the machine for James, and he is able to push from the start comfortably. James is in 2nd place in the session producing fastest sectors when some slower riders ruin his fast time, on lap 7 of the session, in the last sector. James pulls into the pits for some suspension adjustments. Unfortunately after returning to track James crashes on oil at Barn stopping his chances of achieving pole position, he would eventually qualify in 8th place on a 2: 16:500, with plenty more potential and speed for the race.



Warm Up
James circulates on used tyres, getting good feel for a worn tyre, he produces a respectful time, just 3 and a half tenths off of his qualifying time to put him in 7th on a 2:16:850.



Race
James gets a good start and is away with the front runners in 8th. On lap 2 the pack is still tight together and James gets forced to give way to Josh Day who cut across the front of Easty at Vale Chicane. The pack is still together spread over 3 seconds and James is now being held up by #2 Day who had previously block passed him and is looking for any way passed as the leaders were putting distance into the pack. James finally squeezes by at Stowe Corner on lap 6 but he is over 3 seconds off of the 6th and 7th place runners. He puts in some fast lap times, producing his personal best time of 2:14:979 on the last lap to close up to just 0.342 off of the riders in front, finishing in 8th position.

James – “ I am happy with the result, although it is 2 places lower than my Croft result there was no fallers at all in front and I earned my position and stayed on pace with the leaders. I have never been so comfortable with the bike, I love every second being on it and I’m sure this will continue at Oulton Park where I am going to push hard for a podium. “

Thanks go out to:
TK Cope Yamaha Colchester
MCT Suspension
John East, Kev Smith, Stefan Pollard, Ian Brookman.
Simon & Karen Sherras – Home Choice Carpets – Leeds
Alan Garrett & R&G Racing
Impact Signs
Motrax
Paul and the lads at Arai Helmets
James Swift, Dominos Pizza
Christine and Cougar Leathers