Honda Racing UK - Oulton Park race report - Superstock class
John McGuinness MBE demonstrated impressive pace and determination during round six of the Pirelli National Superstock Championship at Oulton Park, with a personal best lap of the Cheshire circuit highlighting an encouraging weekend before an uncharacteristic crash brought Sunday's race to an early conclusion.
Returning aboard the Honda Racing UK CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP, McGuinness continued to make steady progress throughout practice and qualifying, working closely with the team to improve the package at one of Britain's most technical circuits.
That progress was rewarded during the weekend when the 23-time Isle of Man TT winner recorded a personal best lap of Oulton Park, underlining both his commitment and the continued development of the Fireblade package.
Saturday's opening race proved challenging after qualifying 17th. McGuinness battled throughout the eight-lap encounter to finish in the same position.
Sunday looked set to provide another opportunity to move forward before an unfortunate incident cut the race short. Running strongly in the opening stages, McGuinness suffered an uncharacteristic crash after six laps, bringing his race to a premature end.
Thankfully, John walked away completely unharmed and the Honda Racing UK Fireblade sustained next to no damage.
The result was disappointing, but it did little to overshadow what had otherwise been another positive step forward. John's personal best lap at Oulton Park demonstrated the pace that continues to build with the Honda Racing UK Superstock programme.
John McGuinness MBE
That’s the first time I’ve crashed a bike for about six years. As disappointing as it is, the weekend and the race were going well up until that point. I’d put my fastest ever lap at Oulton Park together and was enjoying my racing. Green sectors prior to the crash showed that I was running at a good pace. I’m okay and the bike is okay, we’ll dust ourselves down and go again. I’m grateful to Honda Racing UK for putting the bike under me and to my crew for running it so well all weekend.
