CF Motorsport pilot Brayden Elliott has fought his way from twenty fifth position this weekend to a promising sixteenth, in what can only be described as a tricky and tough Knockhill Racing Circuit outing for his first race at the small and technical circuit.
With only two practice sessions to learn the Scottish race track before it was straight in to qualifying, set up was difficult and the changing weather conditions made it hard to find valuable time throughout the circuit.
However, despite qualifying in 25th position it was straight into his first race, and within the first few corners, from launching off the grid, Elliott had redeemed himself almost five positions and was locked in a battle for 20th. After an 18 laps chase Elliott crossed the finish line in 21st, unable to secure 20th in the 40 rider field.
A solid time in the first race meant Elliott would start from 23rd position in the second race on Sunday. A fantastic start off the grid in the second race helped Elliott to launch himself almost five positions forward within the first few corners.
An interruption from the safety car during the race meant that four laps were completed at half pace with no allowance to overtake. Experiencing a safety car for the first time caught out Elliott, losing almost 4 bike lengths on the pack in front when the race resumed at full pace.
Although losing some time on the fifteen riders in front Elliott wrangled his bike around the slippery circuit under the Scottish sun, and finished the race (in 16th), and the weekend with two solid results.
Elliott commenting “that was one of the toughest races I have endured in this championship so far, and probably in my career. Every lap I am pushing one hundred and ten percent all the time, and losing a tenth in one corner can push you back so far in positions,” he began.
“This championship is unbelievably tough, and can sometime knock your confidence but I am really happy with the progress we made this weekend, and that we kept moving forward.
“I knew when we came over here at the start of the season that it was going to be hard to race against people who have been riding these track for a lot longer than I have, so it is great to know that I am not far off in only my first five races in this championship.
“We will once again take the positives out of this round, and continue that into the next round at Snetterton 300, which I am really excited about,” he finished.
Round six for the Superstock 1000 Championship will resume in under two weeks on June 30th – July 2nd at Snetterton 300 Circuit. For further updates, time schedules, photos and more head to www.braydenelliott.com.au, like Brayden Elliott Racing on Facebook or follow @braydenelliott51 on Instagram.