Shane Richardson takes racing Bennetts British SBK Championship Superstock 1000 class in his stride, learning as much as possible, making adjustments where necessary and banking improvements in results on points table.
Not for the first time in Shane’s racing career has the likeable Kiwi faced challenges head on, having raced in NZ SBK Championships, ventured to race in USA on shoe-string budget to gaining runner-up in BSB Superstock 600 class in 2019.
Add bonus of welcoming baby daughter into family, one day after racing BSB Round 3 at Silverstone and you could say Shane’s life is looking way different in massively positive way living and racing in UK.
Not light on where Shane expects better, stating: ‘I’d have to say I expected a bit more of myself coming into Oulton Park round as I had success there last year and had a good sense of what I needed to improve my riding’.
‘Pretty quickly I learned that the Oulton Park circuit is a different animal aboard the 1000cc machine so it was still a lot of re-learning’.
‘Friday was a tough day ending just inside the top 20 but qualifying I was a little more happy moving up to 11th with a half decent laptime. Race 1 I was really disappointed with myself as I rode at a much slower pace than I know I had, which resulted in slipping back a few positions to eventually finish 13th’.
‘I struggled a lot as I really had to be active on the bike as it was really wanting to wheelie a lot due to the nature of the circuit. Over night the team made a few big changes and it really helped the bike be a lot more settled and disable for Sunday’.
‘Although Sunday’s race result was the same as Saturday I was a lot more happy as I was back at a good pace, riding forward not backward and didn’t have any of the troubles from race one with bike control. There are still plenty of ‘what if’ scenarios where I think I could have done better, but I learnt so much yet again and look to keep building in the closing rounds’.
Surrounded by great Team, Astro JJR Racing, have to give nod to great team-rider Damon Rees and now Shane’s family with partner Hannah and baby Maddie, there seems every reason for successful final couple of Rounds for #28.
Shane: ‘Yes my partner Hannah and I welcomed little Maddie into our world the Monday morning after Silverstone. She wasn’t due until the 28th so it was a nice early suprise but all is well and good. I would believe I had the youngest fan at the Oulton with her being 12 days old hahah!’
‘Coming into Donington Park, Round 5 I’m really looking for the small wins within myself, be it improvements on the bike, finish positions, lap times etc, I just aim to be better than I have been and keep a positive outlook’.
‘The year hasn’t exactly been what I thought it might have been but it has really opened my eyes to things I need to adapt to and work on to be a more complete rider for future seasons. If I can finish out the year strong I will be happy’.
Words: Sharon Cox.
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