Norfolk’s high-speed Snetterton circuit is next on the MCE British Superbike calendar, as the championship reaches its fifth round this weekend (8-10 July). The Honda Racing trio are aiming to get in the mix from the start, at a circuit that seems to suit the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade machines.
After a successful test at the 4.811km track last month Dan Linfoot, Jenny Tinmouth and Jason O’Halloran will all be looking to get to work early and get focused on race-set up for Sunday.
Linfoot will be looking to repeat the success of Knockhill, after scoring his first ever-double BSB podium, proving that both he and the Fireblade still have what it takes to be in the mix. While Aussie O’Halloran, will be hoping he can repeat his Snetterton results from last year, when he claimed his first ever BSB podium and made it a double in the second race.
Tinmouth will also be hoping for a good weekend at one of the fastest circuits on the BSB calendar. With data collected from the recent test, the Honda team is looking to hit the ground running in Friday’s first practice sessions..
2016 MCE British Superbike Championship, round five
Snetterton, Norfolk
Event Schedule:
Friday 8 July
1015 – 1100 – FP1
1515 – 1600 – FP2
Saturday 9 July
1045 – 1130 – FP3
1602 – 1620 – Q1
1627 – 1639 – Q2
1646 – Superpole
Sunday 10 July
0915 – 0930 – Warm up
1300 – Race one (16 laps 76.97km)
1640 – Race two (16 laps 76.97km)
I’m very much looking forward to this weekend after the high from Knockhill and scoring my first double podium, I just hope we can continue riding that wave this weekend. I am confident about Snetterton; it’s a great circuit and one that really seems to suit the Fireblade. I am really aiming to try and repeat the double podium and hopefully take my first win, we have been so close recently so it’s got to come soon! This weekend it’s all about points and recovering now as many as I can to move closer into the Showdown. During the test at Snetterton we found a really nice setting with the CBR, so now it’s just a case of upping our game and getting fired up nice and early. At Knockhill we tried a new strategy for Friday, which historically has always been a bit of a non-starter for us. But the team came up with a different structure for practice, which made me push harder and helped bring out a better performance for Friday. So I just hope we can continue the momentum into the weekend, get to work nice and early, bring some more solid points and be in the mix.
Dan Linfoot / #4
I’m just excited to get back out on my Fireblade again, if we could race every weekend I would! Knockhill was a bit of a learning curve again for me, but I got stuck in and managed to continue to knock seconds of my lap times, so happy enough with that. Going into this weekend we have a good setting already from the test last month, so it’s really good to have that base setting so we can almost hit the ground running from the start. Snetterton is a fun and fast circuit and it really seems to suit the CBRs so I’m looking forward to getting out there and hoping for a good weekend.
Jenny Tinmouth / #20
I’m looking forward to getting the weekend underway, Snetterton is a circuit I really enjoy riding and have always gone well there in the past – I’d like to repeat my two double podiums from last year, that would be nice! We had a really good test there last month, which really helps going into the weekend as we have that setting to get started with. I feel we’re in a good position and can start the weekend strong. Coming from Knockhill, we need to improve from the last round, which from my side we are capable of doing we just need to keep working hard. At the minute we are still collecting points, but now we need to move towards the front of the group and start to move up in the Showdown.
Jason O’Halloran / #22
After Knockhill we now need to work on the progression we made and keep Dan and Jason at the sharp end at Snetterton and also moving forward in the championship. We’re now coming to the fifth round, so it’s important now to get the points and make sure we’re up there in the Showdown. If we’re not there over the next few rounds, then we won’t be in the Showdown, which would be a huge shame as they both have the potential to be there. All three riders enjoyed a good test at Snetterton last month, so I know they are all coming to the weekend confident with the Fireblade. Jenny really enjoys riding at Snetterton as it’s a fast and flowing circuit, which really suits her compared to the physical circuits, such as Knockhill. I just hope we’re able to show our potential again this weekend and am looking forward to getting stuck in.
Havier Beltran – Honda Racing team manager
