Tarran Mackenzie admits he was lucky not to injure himself in a dramatic loking accident during the opening British Superbike Championship race that sent his McAMS Yamaha bouncing over the barriers.
The Scot, son of former WorldSBK Champion Niall Mackenzie, came into the weekend second in the overall standings to his team-mate Jason O’Halloran but was enduring a tough start to the Cadwell Park weekend after qualifying tenth.
That was exactly where he would be when he crashed out of the race on lap nine at Barn, prompted when he got out of shape under braking for the tight cambered right-hander, the loss of momentum pushing him onto the grass and making the R1 snap out of his hands.
Bucking and flinging Mackenzie off and - luckily - away from the bike, the R1 itself went on a high-speed adventure over the tyre barriers and barrelling into the shrubbery behind.
“We made good steps today setting a personal best lap time for Cadwell. I got a good launch in the race but got a little bit beaten up.
“I was getting into a good rhythm and felt good with my bike when I had a little crossed up wheelie out of the hairpin and as it came down it pushed me towards the grass, I felt like I had enough room but my rear wheel caught the grass and flicked me off.
“I came away relatively unscathed, but there was a lot of damage to the bike so fingers crossed we can get back out tomorrow and I’m able to ride. Sorry to my team, it’s the first DNF of the year so looking to make amends tomorrow.”
It is not the first time Mackenzie’s accidents have led to some impressive acrobatics from his machinery after crashing at Brands Hatch… prompting this rather brilliant tweet from his brother Taylor Mackenzie poking fun at Tarran’s less composed balance.
The seasons finished, I’ve got a lot of time on my hands. @tarranmac95 pic.twitter.com/dtm9wULosq
— Taylor Mackenzie (@taylormac77) October 24, 2019
