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Sam Bishop competes at Oulton Park |
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05 May 2009 |
Kester Cunningham John sponsored motorbike racer Sam Bishop competed in the second round of the KTM RC8 Supercup at Oulton Park during the first bank holiday in May.
Oulton Park is a large and very demanding race circuit but one that Sam very much enjoys.
Kester Cunningham John sponsored motorbike racer Sam Bishop competed in the second round of the KTM RC8 Supercup at Oulton Park during the first bank holiday in May.
Oulton Park is a large and very demanding race circuit but one that Sam very much enjoys. He got off to a good start on a dry Practice Day and was 6th fastest after a 20 minute session of free practice. The following day, however, his qualifying session was hampered by a relatively common and painful condition known as arm pump which affects the rider's forearm muscles. On -site physiotherapy after qualifying gave some relief but it was a worry in the back of Sam's mind before his 12 lap race. Adjustments were made to his riding position on the bike in an attempt to relieve some of the pressure on his left (clutch operating) forearm.
Despite this set back Sam qualified in 8th place on the 2nd row of the grid, with a best lap time of 1.47.221.
On race day the weather became unpredictable prior to Sam's race, with some squally showers blowing over. With the track seeming essentially dry/slightly greasy, Sam went out on dry tyres but after a shower during the siting lap, a wet race was declared and all riders had to make a quick decision on pit lane whether to change to wet tyres. Sam, together with pole-sitter Wood, opted to remain on dry, taking a gamble that the rain would hold off during the race, with the majority opting for wets. However, further rain fell, seeing Wood fall at turn one of the warm-up lap.
Having to abide by his decision, Sam could only do his best to bring the bike home safely; the hard compound of the Dunlop tyres meant that he had little grip on the increasingly greasy surface during the 12 lap race as his hopes for a dry line faded and the front-runners on wet tyres broke away. It was a costly mistake and despite some late dry laps, there was little he could do to bridge the gap and he crossed the line in 10th place.
With only 8 points gained for the Supercup championship and 13 for being the 4th Under 25's Cup rider home, Sam is now 7th in the main championship and 2nd in the Under 25's Cup. The next round is scheduled for Donington Park on 25th May.
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