03.08.08: RAIN SPOILS EUROPEAN RACE FOR HICKY
A rain shower prior to the start of the European Superstock 1000 race spoilt the event for Louth rider Peter Hickman when he opted for the wrong choice of tyres for the 14-lap race at Brands Hatch on Sunday. Although he started from the inside of the second row, Hicky began to drop back as the track dried and finished the race in 17th place, just outside a points scoring position.
Qualifying had seen the 21-year-old Lincolnshire rider secure a fine eighth position - although it could have been even better. Hicky explained: “I was seventh in first qualifying and I knew there was more to come so was quite pleased the second session was completely dry.
The bike is working really well; I did half the final session on old tyres so dropped from seventh all the way down to 21st. But with seven minutes to go I pitted for a new tyre and did my out lap before going for a quick one. I was P1 at the first sector and then the red flag came out so I was slightly annoyed to say the least.
“When we got out again there were four and a half minutes left and I went out first to go as fast as I could and here we are in eighth place. But for the red flag it could have been a lot better but I know I am there or thereabouts.”
But as the race start approached the heavens opened and a heavy shower wetted the track. Tyre choice was always going to be a lottery as it would perhaps dry on the straights but would remain wet around the corners and under the trees.
Hicky opted for a full wet on the front and an intermediate on the rear. But by the time the race got underway the rain had stopped and a dry line was beginning to form.
It soon became apparent that he had gone the wrong way with tyre choice as the riders on slicks began to take advantage of the drying track, leaving Hicky to run wide in search of wet tarmac to keep his tyre cool.
But as race progressed he fell back to eventually complete the 14 laps in 17th place and said: “I didn’t get the best of starts and dropped back to 10th at Surtees on the first lap. But I soon made it back through to eighth and was looking to move further forward. By lap two I was up to seventh but then the front tyre began to show signs of wear and I knew my race was effectively over unless we got some more rain.
“I am disappointed both for myself and the team really as we had high hopes of a good result here.”
Hicky returns to domestic action at the weekend when the British Superbike championship makes its annual visit north of the border to Knockhill where Hicky will contest round eight of the Metzeler National Superstock championship.
