British Superbike runner Peter Hickman is burning the midnight oil in order to be ready for round one of the British Superbike championship at Brands Hatch over the Easter weekend but it’s a race against time to have the new Ultimate Racing Yamaha R1 fully prepared for the challenge of the short and technical Kent Indy circuit.
 
The bike was late arriving into the country and Hicky is still waiting on the arrival of some new components for the bike so has been unable to do any testing on the new machine – although he has been in action on a Phase One bike at Almeria in Spain assisting with the team testing in preparation for their world Endurance challenge.
 
“Although the bike is still not fully prepared we will be on the grid for the first round of the British Superbike championship at Brands Hatch and I am optimistic of some good results” said Hickman. “Once the bike is A1 I am sure I will be getting some wins under my belt in the Superbike Cup and be up into the points in the main championship. But I have to be realistic and am resigned to the fact that I will be at a disadvantage in the first few rounds due to the lack of testing.”
 
The campaign begins with two days of testing at Brands Hatch on Good Friday and Easter Saturday followed by qualifying on Sunday. The first leg of the British Superbike championship will set off at 1pm with the second 30-lap race due at 4pm.