Maidstone's Steve Mercer emerged as one of the surprise packages of Saturday's Ulster Grand Prix running comfortably with the established guard. Having recently purchased an ex-Hydrex Honda Superbike to run alongside the WA Corless/Jackson Racing BMW Superstock machine he's ridden since the TT, the ever smiling Mercer took a best finish of seventh and lapped at just a shade under 130mph to further enhance his road racing credentials.
The 29-year old's best result came in the opening Superstock race where he took the BMW to an excellent seventh ahead of the likes of Cameron Donald, John McGuinness and Bruce Anstey, only losing out on sixth when Conor Cummins pipped him on the run in to the line.
He then backed this up with 11th in the feature Superbike race, just 0.7s off 9th, where he recorded a new personal best lap of 129.510mph despite the tricky conditions. Gearbox problems prevented him from going out in the final Superbike race but Mercer was still pleased with his days work.
"I only got the Superbike in July and have only ridden it at the Cock o' the North (Scarborough) and Armoy so to be running close to the front here is very pleasing. The other riders have a lot more road racing experience compared to me so I'm still learning but I think I've proved today I've capable of running with them," said Mercer, speaking to bikesportnews.com
"Previously, I've been at the forefront of the group of riders behind the leading dozen or so but today I've been right with them and it felt really good. Lapping at just under 130mph showed I'm not a million miles away.
"I've had a bit of a problem with the Superbike jumping out of fifth gear though so rather than risk it happening again in the race and getting hit from behind, we opted out of the final Superbike race, which was a shame but the right decision to make. This year didn't start to well for me but, after the TT, I've had some good rides at the Southern 100, Scarborough and now here so it's been a good second half of the season for me."
Mercer will next be in action at the Scarborough Gold Cup in September before returning to the Macau Grand Prix in November.
