MOUNT Gambier motorcycle racer Levi Day claimed a top-10 finish in round six of the British Superstock 1000 Championship, held at Donington Park on the weekend.
As a support class to the World Superbikes, limited track time saw just one practice on Friday and qualifying on Saturday, before a 14-lap race on Sunday at 5pm.
Day battled scorching conditions to qualify just outside the top 10, but did well to cross the finish line in 10th on Sunday.
“In practice on Friday it was a red-hot day and the track temperature was high when we went out,” he said.
“That caused the tires to feel a little greasy.
“We made a few set-up changes throughout the session and I finished Friday’s practice in ninth place.”
Further changes were made before Saturday’s qualifying, but they did not have the desired effect.
“We made some positive changes going in to qualifying, but they did not seem to make as big a difference as we had hoped,” Day said.
“I improved my lap time, but ended up qualifying in 12th position for the race on Sunday.”
The late time-slot made it an anxious waiting game, but come 5pm Day was ready to race.
“I got away reasonably well, but could not quite match the pace to the riders in front of me,” he said.
“I ended up in a race-long battle with Tyco BMW’s Andy Reid and in the closing
stages another three riders joined the back of us.
“I managed to hold them all off and come away at the front of that battle, crossing the line in 10th place.”
Day was pleased with the result and now sits in 10th place in the championship, an impressive feat after crashes in the previous two race meetings.
“I am happy with the result as we had a weekend that went smoothly from start to finish,” he said.
“We steadily improved in each session and had a strong race.
“I know we can do better in the races moving forward, but I need to just keep improving my riding on the Aprilia and the results will come.”
The next race meeting will be at Snetterton from July 19-21, where Day will look to improve his position in the series standings.
