IT has been a big learning curve for Mount Gambier motorcycle racer Levi Day after stepping up to the British Superstock 1000 Championship.
Day scored a ride on a 1000cc Aprilia for the season after a solid stint in the Ducati TriOptions Cup and after three rounds sits 10th in the championship.
The challenge of the new class was apparent early for Day, which included a gruelling “100 Mile Race” format at the opening round at Silverstone National circuit.
That saw riders complete back-to-back 24-lap races.
That was followed by a final race the following day, where Day finished in a credible 11th place.
From there it was off to the undulating and technically demanding Oulton Park for round two.
Day said it would be a challenge to guide the 200hp machine around the track and it certainly lived up to his expectations, where he finished in 21st position after recovering from a few issues on the opening lap.
However, fast forward to round three at the Donington Park National Circuit and he was clearly coming to terms with the new bike.
“Each time I have ridden the Aprilia I have been able to take away a lot in understanding how best to adapt my riding style to suit having 200hp at my disposal,” he said.
“My team has been great teaching me the many different things that help get the most out of the Aprilia and every time I go out on track I have some new things to work on.
“This weekend was no different.”
To add to the learning curve, the round included the 100-mile format, which sees competitors complete back-to-back 22-lap races, with just 10 minutes between to refuel and refresh.
Qualifying saw Day with an impressive third position on the start grid.
“I managed to get a good run with 30 seconds left in qualifying and banged out a lap where everything came together well,” he said.
“I put it third on the grid behind championship leader Richard Cooper and Taylor Mackenzie.
“I was really happy with the lap time, getting to within half a second of Coopers time, who has been in a class of his own in many of the sessions.”
Day finished the twin races in eighth and 10th places respectively.
Despite some issues in Sunday’s race, Day added a sixth place finish to his weekend.
“For me this was a huge, huge result, as in previous times, I would have been expecting to be outside the points,” he said.
“It was a really positive end to the weekend.
“I feel like I made some big steps forward, getting closer to where we know the bike can be.
“It’s just a matter of me chipping away and working hard to get myself up there.”
Day will now prepare for round four at Brands Hatch.
