Conditions for the final official preseason test for the British Superbike paddock were complicated at Silverstone, and it was no different for the Supersport runners.
Nonetheless, after the previous test was essentially scrapped due to the even worse weather a week before at Donington Park, there was little choice for the teams but to get out there and get some running in.
It was also an important test with the first round of the season in mind, since the 2022 championship will open at Silverstone on the National layout on 15-17 April.
For Jack Kennedy, the test ended in second place, after he was edged out by Bradley Perie on the Appleyard Yamaha R6 that he rode to two British championships in the two years before the pandemic.
Only 0.002 seconds separated Perie from Kennedy, whose title defence will get underway in precisely a week from today (8 April 2022).
After the Silverstone test, Kennedy said, “We have had another successful two days at Silverstone. The wind and high gusts of wind weren’t ideal and were hard to manage on track, but we worked through quite a few things on the bike and got me running comfortable on the bike and around this circuit as well, so that will give us a base to work from next week.”
Kennedy continued, “We have the R6, I think, where we need it. Lap times are slightly off but that’s to do with the wind, I’m sure. Next week at round one the conditions should be better with higher temperatures, so we look forward to then. We decided to sit out the last session of the day due to the weather and with the season getting underway next week we didn’t want any mishaps.”
Tim Martin, the owner of Mar-Train Racing, said, “Unfortunately, Donington didn’t give us too many laps due to the poor weather conditions, but we have a strong baseline of data and set up that works for Jack and the team after the Silverstone and Snetterton tests, and we’re ready for the first round.”
He continued, “It has been a great programme of testing, running consistently at the top end of the British Supersport times with great race pace. Jack is comfortable on the bike and the team are working well, so let’s get to the first round and see how it all goes from there.”
