Beech makes promising start

Ashley Beech: the Moorside rider got the first feel of his new bike only three days before the race at Oulton Park.

MOTORCYCLE RACING:

OULTON Park was the venue for round three of the National Superstock 1000 Championship and for Oldham’s Ashley Beech, the challenge started before the race got under way.

Beech has signed for the Worcestershire-based Jones Dorling Racing Team and prior to arriving at the circuit, had neither seen the bike nor met the team!

The first task for the 24 year old, from Moorside, was to work with technicians to adjust the bike to suit his height and weight.

Conditions were cool and damp for free practice, but the intention was for Beech to get in as many laps as possible until he felt confident to push harder.

Minor changes were made to improve handling and he finished the first qualifying session in 20th place.

Conditions were warm and sunny for final qualifying on Sunday and with only 25 minutes left, the pressure was on.

Ashley qualified 38th and started from row nine.

He made a good start and by the end of the first lap had moved up several places. For the remaining 14 laps he battled hard to eventually finish 27th.

The next round is in three weeks at Donington Park.