Ice Valley BMW's Simon Andrews has said he doesn't think a podium spot in tomorrow's Northwest 200 Superstock race is unrealistic, given his laptime in the Superbike qualifying session yesterday afternoon on a standard S1000RR.
The Evesham man, who sits in 15th for the non-Superbike race but tenth in the big class with a 4'32.802 laptime, says that aside from old hands Michael Dunlop and Alastair Seeley who are 'much faster', the race rookie thinks some champagne could be on the cards.
"I messed up the Superstock qualifying because I hurried the team with the fuel and because of that I ran out and didn't manage to get a proper flying lap in, plus I've not had a quickshifter so far which hampers you a bit given the number of changes you have to make here," said Andrews, speaking to bikesportnews.com this morning.
"Fortunately, we have got one now and the crew think that is worth a couple of seconds over a race distance. I've got some pace in hand as I know this place can bite you. I'm riding safely and, looking at my Superbike qualifying times, a podium is not unrealistic.
"My time in that session would have put me third in Superstock and I'm on the same bike. Michael and Alastair are much faster than me but I would like to get into a steady third or fourth and find some room to get into a rhythm. But I don't know how much Michael Rutter has got in hand!"
