21.04.08 : Last minute deal with Ultimate Racing saw the return of Louth rider Peter Hickman to the British racing scene
A last minute deal with Ultimate Racing saw the return of Louth rider Peter Hickman to the British racing scene where he rode to an amazing fifth position in the first round of the Metzeler National Superstock championship at Thruxton on a bike that was only prepared and race ready by Friday.
Hickman was left stranded when his European Superstock ride fell through and thought his season was over before it began but 
he was thrown a lifeline by Ian Drake who runs a corporate hospitality business – http://www.ultimateracing.co.u from his base near Silverstone race circuit.
Commenting on how the deal came about Ian Drake said: “I have known Peter and his father Dave ever since he ran in the Superstock Cup and have followed his progress ever since. I haven’t done much with bikes lately, as I have been more involved with Touring Cars. But when Peter gave me a call out of the blue after all the problems over his European ride, we got together, had a chat and here we are at Thruxton. The bike has been put together over the past two weeks and Peter and Dave have done a tremendous job to get it race ready in such short a time. To get sixth on the grid and then a fifth place finish to our very first race is a credit to all the hard work put in by them both.”
Peter added: “We are just working out of a van and small pop up awning at the moment but although it’s a small outfit it is neat and tidy and we are very professional. We will build the team up this year and hope to move up to bigger things next season if all goes to plan.
“The first time the bike actually ran was Friday morning for practice and I was immediately on the pace and up to 12th in the first session. Then in qualifying I ended up in sixth place for a second row start and capitalised on that in the race. “ I would like to thank Ian and Ultimate Racing for his support, Martin and Suzanne Sleaford and everyone at Louth Volksworld for their faith in me. Also a huge thank you to my dad who has worked really hard on the bike to get it ready in time for this weekend.”
Hicky will be back in action on May 6 for round two of the Metzeler National Superstock race at Oulton Park in Cheshire where he hopes he can produce another top five result.
