As the second round of the British Superbikes commences over the Bank Holiday weekend at the Cheshire circuit of Outlon Park this weekend, riders refer the debuting support class KTM RC8 Supercup Category.
The series replaces the KTM Superduke Battle allowing the RC8’s to be bought to track which is more of a race bike and has a second cup category for the under 25s. The season has just begun, but we catch up with some of the category’s riders to see what they think of the category, the bike so far and their Brands Hatch experience.
#71 Ritchie Thornton – TA Creative Ltd/P &H Motorcycles
After racing motocross the Surrey based rider started road racing in 2007 and took part in the GSXR 600 Trophy championship in which he finished 3rd overall in 2008.
“I like the one make series as you don’t have to spend extra money to compete, its down to the racer.  It took a while to get used to the V-Twin as it’s a different engine, but I prefer being at these BSB meetings as you are looked after much more, KTM are brilliant, its good having the manufacturer on site.”
“At Brands I qualified ninth and in race one I was upto fourth, but I made a small mistake and run off the circuit so dropped down to 14th.  I pushed really hard, worked my way back up to 8th before crashing.  In race two because of the crash the pre-load had unwound so the bike was really soft for race two, which we didn’t realise till it was to late and I finished 12th.  Disappointing, but I rode really well.”
#21 Adam Foster – Fozzy Racing (Cup)
The Rotherham based rider comes from two years in the GSXR Trophy championship.
“I prefer the KTM, it is a lot more fun, a proper wheelie machine especially at this track.  With the change of bike its still a matter of pin it and hope for the best. The organisation here is much better.  My first weekend was ok, but Brands Hatch is a bit of a micky mouse track it is good to
#18 Jon Paine – Jon Paine Racing (Cup)
The Kings Lynn based rider started racing in 2006 in which he finished fourth in the Novice, Steel 600 Championship and raced wit Derby Phoenix the next two years.  In 2007 season was cut short following a crash which caused £3,500 of damage to his R1.
“This category is the cheapest form of racing in the BSB Paddock, it is organised, I would rather spend double the money to be in this paddock rather than be at club level and the KTM is a good bike.  I am no good at Brands so this weekend will be the real tester.
#16 Taryn Skinner – Fast Trak Racing (Cup)
The Northampton based rider also comes from the GSXR Trophy.
“I started racing as I rode with mates on the road and thought I was fast, so decided to race and found out I was slow.  I have got better and being at this level is much better than club racing, apart from the cost of the fuel the organisation is great.  I am getting used to the bike , its only our second weekend but Brands Hatch wasn’t too bad.”
#88 James Edmeades – Redline Motorcycles
The Loughborough based rider in 2005 competed at Superstock level finishing third in the Cup category.  In 2006 in addition to competing in the Superstock Edmeades completed a 115mph lap of the Isle of Man TT circuit, followed by 120mph lap and 18th place in the Superbike North West 200 in 2007 before joing the KTM Super Duke Battle series last season.
“It is cheap and I have a great sponsor Redline Motorcycles who are also a KTM dealer.  It is good racing and the bike is completely different, its not revvy so you feel slow even though you’re not.  At Brands we discovered that one of the front cylinders was damaged so we were down on horse power, running 130bph, instead of 148-150bp, but I was pleased with my result taking that into consideration.”
#11 Kelvin Reilly – Inmoto Corse
The Raynes Park based rider now currently leads the championship spent two years in the KTM SuperDuke Battle finishing second overall in both 2007 and 2008.  Prior to that he spent six years in National Superstock 1000 Championship and 1994 to 1999 he competed in a variety of categories.  These included European Superstock, Honda Hornet, British Supersport and Aprillia Superteens.  He took third in the Junior Road Race Championship in is debut racing year.
“I have finished second the past two years and I am hoping to do one better.   The bike is a lot different, it is like a racing bike where last year was more of a road bike.  The improvements are good.  I battle with Woody at Brands, but couldn’t quite do the win.  I am looking forward to Oulton Park is a good proper riders circuit.”
#13 Andy Battye – Anthracite Racing
The Leicester based rider started racing in 1999 and has competed in variety of categories including the Aprillia 250 Championship, New Ear Honda Hornet Championship and National Superstock Cup.
“I like the one make series, it is more of a level playing field and as long as it is policed ok its down to you, the rider.  So far it all seems to good so far with the organisation and championship.  The bike handles quite well, the brakes are good and this is standard, it is lacking power compared to the GSXR, but the drive is better.  I just need to get my and around it.  At Brands I finished 10th, but have been moved up to 9th now so that is good.”