Rapid Solicitors–Bathams Ducati are hoping for their best weekend of the season so far as the British Superbike Championship descends on their home circuit, Thruxton.
The Bridgewater-based team haven't enjoyed the best of starts in 2011 with their best results coming from a pair of sixth places courtesy of Michael Rutter.
The Shropshire rider spent last weekend competing at the North West 200 and was set to start on pole for the Superbike race, only for the event to be cancelled due to an oil spillage.
But despite that disappointment, Rutter is in high spirits as he prepares to race on one of the fastest circuits in the country.
“Thruxton is a brilliant track and I am looking forward to it, but we just need to keep pushing to get the Rapid Solicitors-Bathams Ducati working better. We made some improvements at Croft but I think the nature of the circuit might make it easier for us and in the past we have had some good results there. It is the home track for the team so we want to improve and build on what we have learnt so far and try and challenge for those top positions where we need to be.”
Thruxton is also the home round for the team's second rider Martin Jessopp, who is based in Yeovil. The 25 year old achieved two top-six results at this event last year but has yet to hit the same heights so far in 2011.
But with home support on his side, Jessopp is hopeful of giving them something to cheer this weekend.
“We had a tough weekend at Croft, but I am really looking forward to Thruxton as it is my home round and I always get a lot of support there. Last year it was one of my best performances of the season so hopefully we can have a repeat performance as we are improving all the time with the Rapid Solicitors-Bathams Ducati.”