Mar-Train Yamaha rider Stuart Easton is looking forward to his home track as he sits just two points in arrears in the British Supersport Championship. “It’s always nice to come to Scotland and race in front of my home crowd. I don’t really have any additional Knockhill knowledge to be honest as I started out in Aprilia Superteen like everyone else but maybe I’ve been more concentrated on riding well there with all the local support, which makes it a real highlight for me.
Picture courtesy of MSV
We had a little track time at the North West after Oulton Park, and we had a very productive test at Kirkistown in Northern Ireland so I’m raring to go now.
Coming back to Supersport for the first few laps at Brands Hatch was a culture shock to be honest, it was pretty cut throat and I had to re-calibrate my brain. If you get caught up in the pack you have to battle for every corner, the bikes are so close but I do enjoy it a lot. The little Yamaha 600 is a great bike to ride, the machines have come on a lot since last time I’ve rode them and they have 15bhp more on tap! At Thruxton I had a faster pole time than the top Superbikes were lapping, it’s incredible really.
You can learn Knockhill pretty fast straight away but that last 2-3 tenths is hard to find, you have to really string the corners together smoothly and use the whole track. The first sector needs a lot of commitment and the final hairpin is also vital for that last lap move. If you stay fast and consistent you can be hard to pass round here for sure.
Physically it’s one of the hardest tracks as there is no rest throughout the lap. At the end of the day it’s all about digging in, biting the screen and keeping your head down!”
Stuart aboard the Monster Mob Ducati replica
Stuart will also be taking part in the Steve Hislop tribute during the BSB lunch break. He will take to the track riding a replica Monster Mob Ducati alongside Jamie Whitham and Hislop’s team-mate Niall Mackenzie; both aboard the iconic Cadbury’s Boost Yamahas.
Tickets for the event can be purchased in advance via the Knockhill website or can be purchased on the gate throughout the event – 14/15/16 June.
Source: Pirelli