Round 7 of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship awaits us this weekend at Cadwell Park and looking back to Thruxton, Hicky and the FHO BMW Team will be taking the positives from their time in Hampshire.
Although Hicky was fast, setting his fastest time of 1:14.298 his fastest ever lap there, it wasn’t enough to overcome the Yamahas.
The weather was hot and so was the pace, Hicky had a strong start for Race One, battling for several laps alongside Irwin and O’Halloran for the lead. After lap 10, Hicky’s race pace faded as his rear grip dropped and Hicky crossed the line P5, Irwin just pipping him on the last lap. His fastest lap – 1:15.674 on lap 3.
Race Two, Hicky had a row 2 start and made up places immediately latching onto the back of the 3 Yamahas. Again the trio ahead stayed just out of his reach and although the leading group of four broke away from the rest of the field, 4th was the best he could do. His fastest lap – 1:15.397 on lap 4 would mean a 2nd row start for the final race.
Race Three and Hicky had a tough start, finding himself back in P8, but fighting hard he was back to P4 by lap 4. Leaving the rest of the field behind again and keeping up with the top 3. However, on lap 14, Hicky’s luck ran out when a battery earth cable broke, forcing him to retire. Hicky’s fastest lap – 1:15.478 on lap 6
Peter Hickman
“It was a strong weekend for us, right through the weekend. We had an amazing qualifying session, with me setting my fastest ever lap around Thruxton, it was awesome. Although we were fast, we didn’t have the pace for a podium against the Yamahas, the out and out pace we have but not for full race distance so that’s been tough, so the best of the rest was as much as we could do.
“I didn’t get my first race quite right, to be honest, so I changed my tactics and the bike for the second and it made an improvement. We were a long way in front of fifth and finished fourth which was great. I hung with the Yamahas as long as I could, but towards the end I get slower and they just keep the same pace.
“In the last one, we were a good seven seconds ahead of fifth again when the earth cable on the battery broke which was devastating. Gutted wasn’t the word. Another fourth would have been nice, a load more points, as we haven’t had the best of seasons so far and we need points for the Showdown.
We take the positives to Cadwell this week, where we had great results last season and I feel we can get the podiums we deserve. Cadwell is our local circuit and I’m looking forward to the Party in the Park!
Hicky
Foxy2600
Hey mate I’ll try and get up to Cadwell this weekend and I hope you do well like last year. If not see you at Portimao – 40 Kgs – loved Charlie’s interview on that….