Linxcel-Seton Tuning’s Josh Wainwright continues with his challenge of a new team, bike and championship in 2009 at Thruxton for the fourth round of the Metzeler National Superstock 600 category.
The 2007 MRO Supersport 400 Champion comes into the BSB paddock after finishing second in the Triumph Triple Challenge in 2008, swapping from a three cylinder machine to Yamaha R6.
Wainwright said: “The championship is a lot harder than club level as such, it’s so close. In first practice I thought I was really fast, which I was, but I was 35th. Another half a second would have moved me up ten places.”
“I am pleased with the time, but I believe I can do more. I have to change my approach, I am used to taking it a bit easier at the beginning, but I need to get on it straight away.”
Setup wise this is a huge change for Wainwright who is used to racing supported by his family, now he moves up a level and takes the pressure off his dad. Wainwright said: “It’s great, the team, bike and every one gathers around. To come in after a session, describe what’s wrong and then the guys work on it. It’s also given my dad a break, he can actually enjoy himself now.”
Thruxton, Donington GP, Croft, Knockhill are all new circuits for Wainwright this year and he hasn’t been to Oulton since he was 13 on a 125cc. With the added battle of learning a track Wainwright feels he hasn’t really learnt the track till the end of the last practice which he feels isn’t good enough.

This doesn’t seem to be holding him back this weekend with him knocking over two seconds off his time in the first qualifying session putting him 30th, but it shows that there is a true battle within the championship as he is less than one second off 11th position.