2019 British Superbike Champion Scott Redding completed double win at this weekend’s BSB Round 2 at Snetterton having never actually raced the Grand Prix circuit before. Not only taking BSB Round 6 of 12 victory as rookie in his home country’s SBK Championship, Scott completed the 1-1 win off back of experience, self-belief and confidence in race performance.
Which actually says alot on how a rider picks the right moment to display ‘best racing skills’ within the unknown of racing tracks which are unfamiliar AND a Championship which is new for the rider.
Yes, for sure, Redding has decade of racing Grand Prix’s, starting in 2008 competing in 125cc Grand Prix World Championship through to finishing 2nd in Moto2 in 2013. The following years 2014-2018 competing in MotoGP were however, to be the most challenging for the ultra dedicated SBK rider, with Scott taking up ride for PBM Team on Ducati in BSB 2019.
Such turn-arounds within career of racing highlights the resilience of the rider, which has a way of coming out when least expected as was the case racing BSB Round at Knockhill previous to double win at Snetterton.
Scott after win at Snetteron: “I am surprising myself a little bit but I believe that has come from confidence and believing in myself again which is something that I had lost and it has kind of given me a second gear. That is an amazing feeling”‘.
‘”The problem is when you have a couple of bad years in racing you can get down. Then you show that you can do it and then you believe that you can do it and that is the strongest thing that a rider can have in his pocket, so to have that back now when I go to races makes me more relaxed and confident.”
And Scott delivered result. Coming from 16th on grid after Qualifying at Knockhill, Redding stated to Team ‘‘I think I can get on the podium tomorrow from sixteenth’ followed by standing on 2nd step after R1.
Repeating sense of self-belief, Scott embraced the opportunity to race new track at Snetterton which highlights stand-out traits of Scott’s character to take on board the unknown in positive mind-set. And at same time putting anxiety or fear factor on back-burner- lest it all take over from concentration and focus on racing.
Scott pre-racing at Snetterton: ‘”I still love going to a new track. It is hard because you never know how you will adapt to the circuit”‘. Key factors- patience, “‘learning an awful lot by seeing what the other riders are doing…making a move when the time feels right… and having that drive in my stomach to do it the first time I go to a circuit, that is what really motivates me”‘.
Currently Scott stands 2nd in 2020 WSBK Championship having taken double win at Round 3 in Jerez on August 2nd. For Bennetts British SBK Championship Round 2 at Snetterton this weekend, it would be fitting to take on board all Scott has achieved to date- knowing challenges faced can take a path of their own which Redding has managed to put firmly on hold til racing is done.
Words: Sharon Cox.
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