Midwood/Hooper Racing’s Ashley Midwood returns literally to the top in the Metzeler National Superstock 600cc championship at Oulton Park by taking pole half a second ahead of regular pole and race winners.
The Liversedge based rider has not ridden in the series since Knockhill due to him no longer riding for his previous team with which he scored at a couple of rounds including a third place podium at Snetterton.
Midwood has used his time away wisely focusing on his fitness with a personal trainer and working hard to raise funds to allow him to return to the track both of which will continue following the final round this weekend in preparation for 2010.
Midwood said: “I have been out for three months, I’ve not riding been riding at all.  We only got the bike two weeks ago Andy Hooper and I went halves, I had saved for a car so I have used that money towards it.”
“We tested at Cadwell last week which went well and thought we would try our chances out here and we got pole.  We are looking for more sponsors, we want to do the full year of the championship but at the moment we don’t’ think it’s possible so we just going to do a few rounds.  I have had a few offers from people to manage me which I will be looking into.”
Midwood finished the first practice session in third and took pole in the first qualifying session knocking a further one and half a seconds approximately off his time.  Due to the second session being wet this time kept him in the front spot.
Talking about is machinery he said: “We haven’t had to change much just gearing here and there, a few suspension changes and we also only have the 20mm forks in not the 25mm.  The bike is very different bike to what I was riding at the start of the year. This bike is a slower bike so it will be a bit of a struggle in the first few laps.  I want it to be dry but if it’s wet, it’s wet for everybody so we will just have to see how it goes.  I want to get my first win of the season.”
For further information or to discuss possible sponsorship please email ashleymidwoodracing14@hotmail.com.