Steve Heneghan returns to the Metzeler National Superstock 1000 championship again riding for Quattro Plant Honda.  He continued to battle through the bad luck that has already challenged him at the first two rounds of the season to gain 11 places in the race at Oulton Park over the weekend.
Heneghan had a disappointing result at the opening round at Brands Hatch after qualifying a strong 21st place he crashed at Paddock Hill bend in the race causing severe damage to the bike forcing a total rebuild. 
That bad luck racing streak continued for him into the second round of the championship as his newly built Honda CBR1000 was T-boned in Saturdays practice session causing more work. 
The Galway rider fought back to knock a couple of seconds off his initial time and finished 25th after qualifying 36th.  Heneghan said: “We had a great testing at Cartagena, the new Fireblade is a great bike, and I’ve just had a bit of bad luck.”
“To be honest I will be glad to leave Oulton as it is not one of my favourite tracks, I never have much luck here.  It’s not down to the type of circuit as I love Cadwell which is also technical.”
Talking about his season, Heneghan said: “I am aiming for a top ten, I was getting up there at Brands as I was running in the top 15.  I have the continued support of Quattro Plant who have been supporting me since 2006 and have just got better and better.”
“They have supplied more and more kit, which has also allowed Grant [Molloy] to join the team.  I’ve never run anybody before, it’s great to be able to help a young rider.”
His schedule is intense as 2009 will see him continue to take part in road racing events, which include the TT, the North West 200, Ulster and Althea racing in a variety of Superstock and Senior classes.  In addition he has the much appreciated assistance of Alan Hesseldon who has tuned the bike that will compete in the 600 race at the North West. 
When asked if he prefers road or circuit racing he said: “Road racing is a much more pure and raw form of racing.  There just isn’t enough road racing events to do, but I am loving circuit racing as well and being here.”
Following his North West challenge that starts on the 16th May Heneghan will return to continue with the British series at the end of May at Donington Park.