Tyco BMW’s Tommy Bridewell will start the opening MCE British Superbike race from the second row, but the Devizes rider is still not feeling completely comfortable on his S1000RR machine.
Bridewell found the mixed wet conditions worked to his advantage but is adamant that he is way off the pace that he should be doing, especially off the back of a race win at Oulton Park.
During the free practice sessions yesterday he was unable to get into the top ten quickest times, so now his team are doing a massive set-up change, including adapting the swinging-arm, pivots, shock and folk settings and electronics.
Top six is the aim for the Wiltshire man, but for him it will be all down to how he performs in warm up tomorrow, but he is confident that he can get some solid points during the double-header.
“It has not been easy to be honest, I am just not comfortable on the bike for the minute. I feel a million miles away from where I should be at the moment. Where I was so strong at Oulton Park and the pace was so good, I am just trying to get that same feeling here,” said Bridewell, speaking to bikesportnews.com at the track.
“The mixed conditions saved us, and I don’t think my pace would have been a pole position lap. If it was dry I feel we still could have battled for a top six – but it wouldn’t be pole. We are just scratching our heads trying to find that setting we need but the team are working really hard.
“I am coming over the line seeing P14 and I worked hard during the break, but the team are doing everything that we can, and if we can have another two or three practice sessions then we wouldn’t be as far away.
“I don’t know what I can do in the race, I feel alight. I could probably hang out and be a bit of a dirty rider and put a few on the grass and that will probably be the only way I can make a few places up. But it all hinges on morning warm up for me, we have got some massive changes and will turn the bike upside down. I want to be strong in warm up to confirm we have gone in the right direction.
“Steering head angles, off sets, swinging-arm, pivots, shock settings, folk settings, electronics – there’s nothing for tomorrow morning that is not going to be changed. Hopefully it works and we can get back to where we need.”
