Tim Hastings shortened Cadwell Park

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Zax
Derren Brown
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Joined: Sun Mar 23, 2003 6:48 pm
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Tim Hastings shortened Cadwell Park

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The latest round of the highly competitive Metzeler 600 Superstock National Championship proved to be a frustrating experience for Tim Hastings as he ended a shortened Cadwell Park race in 28th position, but once again Team Twister can look to a number of positives as Tim’s debut season on the ZX6R continues.

For once, the team chased a decent set up all weekend, and the lack of track time during a busy meeting meant that it was hard to find settings that gave Tim real confidence. Of all the circuits on the BSB calendar, the narrow and technically demanding Lincolnshire circuit will highlight a rider's lack of experience in any class, and with little more than three seconds covering the entire grid, Tim was always going to be facing a tough weekend.

After technical problems at recent rounds hampered his progress, Tim admitted that his Team Green Kawasaki was strong for Cadwell, but on this occasion there simply wasn’t the time for him to get his head around the narrow and complex circuit.

Whilst it has to be said that Cadwell was a disappointment for Team Twister, it is easy to forget that this season is all about learning, and real progress is being made. It would be easy to try and find fault elsewhere - for example the "two group" qualifying method and the way in which the grid was decided - but in truth the organisers got it right, and Tim simply wasn't quick enough on the day.

On a more positive note, Tim took the chance to go out in the wet second qualifying session - even though there was no prospect of improving his Q1 time - as it was an opportunity to get some wet weather riding experience under his belt, and he coped very well, lapping much faster as he began to get a feel for how the ZX6R reacted to the wet conditions.

The team must also reflect on what has been achieved on a very limited budget, in an ultra competitive class, in a debut season on a 600cc four stroke machine. Tim has qualified for all the races with a best of 10th place at Brands GP, and recorded a best finish of 11th at Snetterton. All in all Tim is having a tough but successful debut season on the 600 and Team Twister will return to Cadwell in 2011 with renewed determination.

The focus now shifts to the remaining three races in the 2010 season, Croft, Silverstone and Oulton Park where Team Twister is determined to try and convert Tim's pace into solid points scoring rides.

Continued thanks are due to the Gearlink Kawasaki team for all their efforts over the course of the weekend, as well as sponsors Gibsons, Evadne, TCX boots, Shark Helmets, MCS Scotland, Murray's Motorcycles, Knox, NGK and Jon Jessop Photography.

Thanks also to all Tim’s personal backers for their continued support and encouragement - Team Twister couldn't go racing without your support.

Lastly, thank you to every one who has bought tickets for Tim’s raffle - check out the raffle page on www.timhastingsracing.co.uk for further details. Tickets can be purchased up until the penultimate round at Silverstone with all proceeds helping to fund the remaining rounds of the BSB season.
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