MOTORCYCLE ace Oliver Riley has had an enouraging but ultimately disappointing start to the new racing season.
The 21-year-old from Westhoughton had his work cut out at Oulton Park in the Thundersport event, battling first against a wet circuit and then shredding tyres as the track dried out after qualifying.
Riley ended up at the back of the grid, but carved his way through the field into sixth place and was vying for fifth when he was forced to retire because of a snapped gear selector.
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"All things considered, I was pleased with the day," said Riley. "I feel I achieved what I set out to do, by getting know my new bike better and I will be looking forward to returning to Oulton to continue the improvement."
The meeting began as a typical Oulton Park event for Riley with the ever changing weather conditions.
The Salford University physics graduate decided to focus on improving his riding technique, and adapting to his new 600cc Honda bike. So he fitted a standard engine to make himself work harder in the corners and braking zones.
Riley was confident about qualifying but, in typical Oulton park fashion, with five minutes to go, the track dried and with no time to change, his wet tyres shredded resulting in him starting at the back of the grid.
In the race, Riley started with dry tyres and he found himself dicing for sixth place, getting quicker by the lap.
It was only a matter of choosing the right moment to get past the tuned bike in front but onl lap 13, when just as he made his move, the gear selector snapped forcing Riley to leave the track for the safety of the other riders.
Meanwhile, Tom Bradshaw, from Bolton, is lying fifth in the 2008 Formula Palmer Audi Championship after the opening three races at Donington Park.
Bradshaw, aged 19, finished second in two races, then retired in the third of the 14-lap races at the 2.5-mile Leicestershire Grand Prix circuit. He trails early FPA points leader Jason Moore (Bedford) by 26pts.
Bradshaw started the second race from pole-position, but failed to finish after being squeezed out and into the gravel during a three-way fight on the opening lap.
The Formula Palmer Audi series in its 11th year and feature identical single-seater racing cars powered by 1.8-litre turbocharged Audi engines. The next two races in the eight-round series are staged at Brands Hatch in Kent ( May 2-4).
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