IT was a tough round of motorcycle racing for Levi Day as he competed in round four of the British Superstock 1000 Championship at Brands Hatch over the weekend.
But even a big off in qualifying did not dampen the Limestone Coast rider’s enthusiasm, as he put in an impressive display in a mix of wet and dry conditions to move up from 10th to eighth place in the championship standings.
Day began the weekend on the pace, with the second-fastest time in the first practice session, before topping the time sheets on the second run.
However, Saturday’s qualifying turned sour as Day pushed hard looking for something extra.
“I went out in qualifying and the bike was feeling great,” he said.
“We put a new rear tire on to push for a good lap time and I was on a strong lap.
“However, into the final turn I pushed a little to hard on the entry and tucked the front, sending me and the bike into the air fence.
“Obviously not the way I was expecting that to go.”
That left Day a little sore and sorry and with plenty of work to do before the first race, with many parts needing to be replaced on the bike.
It also relegated him down to 14th place on the grid.
However, Day took it all in his stride, working hard through the opening 16-lap race to finish a credible ninth.
Just 10 minutes later he was back on the grid for the second 16-lap race, this time from ninth.
Once again some spirited riding saw Day move up, this time to fifth place at the chequered flag.
Sunday saw the final 16-lap race, with the weather closing in and Day out of fifth place on the grid.
He battled with other riders throughout the race as the rain began to fall heavier.
In the end he managed a controlled ride for eighth place and a decent points haul from the round.
“After a solid sixth in the wet at Donington, I was pleased with another top 10 in the wet at Brands Hatch, as the wet is something I have struggled with for some time now,” Day said.
“It is good to show we are making good steps forward in all conditions.
“To have three top-10 finishes over the weekend promoted me from 10th up to eighth in the championship standings and I cannot complain with that after what could have been much worse after the off in qualifying.
“But I do believe had we qualified better, like our practice pace showed, we would have had a stronger weekend than we did.”
