Kirton’s Aaron Clarke recorded his personal best-ever lap around the undulating Oulton Park circuit after an action-packed weekend in the Superstock 600 class.
The draperRACING rider, who was hoping for a repeat performance of Cadwell Park where he finished his race in seventh place, posted some fast laps to claim 15th place and a race start from the fifth row.
He was away to a good start and was up to 12th on the first lap, but was embroiled in a battle for position with a large number of riders and on lap five he was pushed wide and had to take the escape route around Hizzy’s chicane.
Clarke rejoined in 21st position but, although he exchanged places with Matthew Wigley on a couple of occasions, he was unable to move forward and crossed the finish line in 21st place.
He said: “I felt comfortable and was in a good position in the early laps, but I was pushed out at Hizzy’s which annoyed me and lost me a lot of ground.
“In my effort to catch up I began to suffer from arm pump and it was all I could do to hold on to the finish.
“But, taking the positives from the weekend, we found a good set-up and I was faster than ever before at Oulton so that’s a bonus.”
It’s a quick turnaround for Clarke and his team as the next round is at Donington Park this weekend.
The Superstock 600 riders have a free practice on Friday at 9am followed by first qualifying at 2.10pm.
Final qualifying takes place on Saturday at 11.45am and on Sunday there is a short warm up at 9am ahead of the 14-lap race at 12.35pm.
