Damon Rees showed what he is made of digging deep when needed at Bennetts British SBK Championship Round 4 at Oulton Park at the weekend. Taking on board tricky challenge of learning new tracks same weekend of racing, Rees knows where his strength lies and that is not lowering his expectations no matter how difficult it all seems.
So much so, after qualifying 17th on Saturday, Damon stuck to his mojo stating: ‘I still think I’m struggling with track knowledge, but, as I do more and more laps, I continue to learn. I’m not disappointed at all, but I do expect a lot more – that’s what makes me a racer! 
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R1 brought equally competitive stakes from red to green with Damon putting practical know-how, self-belief and sheer will of ‘that is why I am here to race’ into practice finishing the 14 lap race in 17th position.
Damon: ‘I think a lot of it is confidence in my ability. I know I’m meant to be here, and I know there are a lot of adversities racing at a track for the first time, so you really have to believe in yourself and block out all the negative thoughts’.
‘It’s easier said than done, but self confidence is a huge thing you need to channel in this situation. That being said, I’m also my own worst critic!’
Coming from family whose commitment to achieving the best has such an impact on Damon’s sense of pride to fulfill ambition, will power to achieve and responsibilities to those who support the Astro JJR Racing Team rider on the track.
Damon: ‘In Free Practice, all I focused on was learning the track. In all honesty, I expected it to come to me a lot quicker, but it’s a very very complicated track. That evening, I managed to go for a track-walk with some faster riders, they helped me out a lot and I knew what I needed to do to improve in the sectors I was struggling in’.
‘Then in Qualifying, we tried to implement what I had learnt, with some bike set-up improvements. I was still not totally confident in my knowledge of the track, and it showed in the result. Then, in Race 1, I just tried to race my hardest – I really did try my best, but yet again, it’s such a tough track.
‘I had a re-group overnight before Race 2, and we made some really positive changes to the bike. In warm-up I was in the Top 10 fastest, and I felt far more confident in the bike! That confidence showed in Race 2’.
‘Again, it all comes down to self-confidence. You just have to back yourself and not let the tough situations get to you’.
Having picked up a second in R2 with best lap time of 1.38.302 from best lap of 1.39.440 in R1, the difference highlights how much Damo puts into making improvements count within short turn-around of time. Not easy task, given the field of 30 riders are stacked with Brits with only 6 riders from outside UK racing the Championship.
Remaining focused on consistency of results with Round 5 heading back to Donington Park in 2 weeks, Damon stands 6th Overall in Championship embracing following days to study track circuit, keep routines in check, stay healthy and enjoy the whole journey.
Damon:’ Lots and lots of track study! And also trying to stay in routine between rounds. Keeping up with my training & diet keeps the goal in mind’.
BSB Round 5 Donington Park October 204th.
Words: Sharon Cox.
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