Despite being scheduled for arm-pump surgery just hours before he took to the track, youngster Josh Daley rode the bikesportnews.com entry to a brace of points-winning places at Donington Park's Triumph Triple Challenge round.
The Wigan herbert, who was also racing the Pirelli National Superstock 600 event, thought all his prayers had been answered when heavy rain fell at the track on Friday and he bounced to second in his usual class and sixth place in the TTC despite having never seen the bike before.
"Having arm-pump makes it difficult to hang on the dry but in the rain it is a bit easier as the braking forces are so much less," said Daley, who eventually qualified in 12th place for the Triumph race.
"Qualifying was a bit more difficult than free practice as I had to jump from my Kawasaki to the Triumph which was harder than the other way around in free practice but I was pleased with my performance and it looked good for both races. I was still hoping it was going to rain, however."
Saturday's first race was dry as a bone, however, and starting from 12th, Daley held station but his arms soon bore the brunt and he slipped back. However, he rallied towards the end and put in his fastest laps of the weekend so far to take points in his first-ever race in the series.
Sunday was again dry and always going to be a but more difficult as Daley had to jump from his Superstock bike straight to the Triumph in back-to-back races. He stuck in another great performance to bag more points before heading off to hospital to have his arms sliced open.
"I was over the moon with it. When I had to do the Triumph race on Sunday, my arms were killing me but it has been really good fun and a great learning experience for me. I was pleased to get points in my first go at it and I didn't fall off, which is another great bonus."
bikesportnews.com editor David Miller said: "We didn't expect anything from Josh this weekend apart from to enjoy himself which he did. To get points in a class this competitive after never seeing the bike before was a great bonus as far as we are concerned. Thanks to Josh, and dad Andy, for doing a good job."
