It’s been a consistent start to the Bennetts British Superbike Championship for Tarran Mackenzie, never finishing lower than seventh as both he and the McAMS Yamaha team adapt to the 2020 Yamaha YZF-R1.

The diminutive Ashby-based rider struggled more than most in the strong winds that swirled around the Snetterton circuit at the beginning of the weekend but as they eased, he was able to make significant strides forward.
 
“The bike’s very different to what it was at Donington and the main thing this weekend was understanding the geometry although the windy conditions made that difficult as it was hard to tell if it was the bike or the wind blowing you off line! The overall feeling was good though and we made a big step forward in qualifying that gave me a bit of confidence going into the races.”
 
Seventh place was the outcome in Saturday’s opener, a result he repeated in Sunday’s first race and he ultimately repeated his Donington set of results at Snetterton with sixth place in the final race of the weekend.
 
However, with pace to match the leaders in the second race, Mackenzie’s lap times put him on the second row for the third and final race and he used it to full effect as he was part of the six-rider battle for the lead throughout.
 
Glenn Irwin eventually made first place his own but the battle for the remaining podium places went all the way to the end and although he had to settle for sixth, he was only two seconds adrift of Irwin at the chequered flag, the closest he’s been to the lead so far this season.
 
“It was nice to be in the front group for the first time this year! With a different set-up to what we had had Donington, it was a tough weekend at times but, overall, I’m pleased with how it went.”
 
“Each race we got a bit closer and starting from the second row meant I was able to run with the front group for the whole race. I tried to make a move forwards but nearly crashed so settled back into my rhythm and tried to move back past towards the end.”
 
“An opportunity never arose but I’m really happy that I could stay with them and run at the sharp end. I’ve a good feeling with the bike now and it puts us in good stead for the next round at Silverstone.”
 
Mackenzie sits in seventh place on 56 points after the first six races and will be looking forward to the three races at the Northamptonshire venue having finished first and second there last year.