Single Digit Finish at Slippery Silverstone

After what began as a very damp and very frustrating start to Round 10 of the Pirelli Moto British National Superstock Championship at Silverstone last weekend things brightened up on all fronts for Jordan Weaving. The careful start to proceedings in sketchy conditions on Friday was a huge contrast to Sunday’s race which saw the Briggs Equipment Kawasaki ZX-10RR of Jordan Weaving blast to a ninth place finish at the chequered flag from 14th spot on the grid. Proof if ever it was needed that the stock of the precocious talent of the 20 year old continues to rise. As the first free practice session got underway at Silverstone the riders were met with what can only be described as a torrent of water blowing across the track, and with rain continuing to pour down it made things very hazardous to say the least. Naturally, it meant lap times were considerably slower than what would have been expected as the 39 rider field managed to all get at least a few laps in. On Friday afternoon in free practice two, conditions were still wet but a little more conducive to quicker lap times, with almost thirty seconds being shaved off the earlier times of some riders around the 3.1 mile circuit. The sun briefly shone as the riders waited for qualifying to start, but again, Mother Nature decided things needed to take a turn and after just 4 laps, the rain again came down with Weaving in 14th spot. It meant there was no chance for anyone to improve on their lap time as everyone took shelter from the elements. The race got underway on Sunday on a completely dry track under overcast skies and the #34 of Weaving cut a path past a number of riders ahead of him, Luke Hedger and Carl Phillips were to succumb to pressure in quick succession as the Briggs Equipment Kawasaki moved to the edge of the top ten. Sitting over a second away from breaking into the single digit positions, Weaving concentrated on making the breakthrough. By the penultimate lap the gap shrunk to within a tenth of a second and on the final lap Weaving pounced and crossed the line in 9th place. After a weekend of contrasts the 20-year-old was more than happy with his performance in the race. “The race weekend was a bit of hit and miss because the weather changed every time we went out on the bike and to find a setting for wet and dry conditions was difficult.” Weaving said. “Every track we go to we have no historical data for the tracks as Superstock 1000 was a new project to the team and of course for myself this season so we have to learn very quickly on most race weekends. Again though what our result proves is that the team works well together and how much of a connection we all have. “We didn't have the best of qualifying sessions as we got caught out in the rain just as we began to pick up the pace. But Ian, James and Glen found something in the settings and it proved to be right as it worked throughout the race. It was one of the toughest I’ve had and certainly the most difficult conditions of the season. “To see the fans out there in their thousands made me even more determined to push harder, if they can be out there in that rain just to watch us racing then the least we can do is put on a show for them. “It was definitely one of the hardest weekends we’ve had this season but we’ve come away with a lot of positives to take into another one of my favourite tracks next weekend.”