James Ellison is hoping that his recent rear grip problems won’t be an issue at Cadwell Park this weekend, so he can concentrate on closing the gap to the showdown places.
Ellison currently finds himself 51 points behind the top six, with only five races remaining before the showdown places are confirmed. The Lincolnshire circuit is one of Ellison’s favourites, and he took victory in the second race last season.
The Anvil Hire TAG Racing team have taken delivery of new parts ahead of the meeting, as they aim to eradicate the rear grip issues that has plagued Ellison in recent weeks.
Speaking ahead of what will be his last-ever British Superbike event at Cadwell Park, Ellison explained what the team believe to be the problem. He said:
“We have been really focussed on addressing the rear grip issue, and I know the team have been working hard, working through all the settings, scenarios and data from all the other rounds to pinpoint where the problem is, which we are trying to fix, and the guys feel they found something that could be the issue.
“It’s not a huge thing, it’s a small area on the exit of the corner where it doesn’t hook up and the other guys just get away, which is every corner, every lap. It’s about getting the package to work this weekend; it’s like making a cake and you need all the ingredients to be right. The suspension, fuel mapping and engine braking, if one thing isn’t right or gelling then you’re midfield. We’re not far away, and it’s only one thing that we are looking for and hopefully we have found something.”
Despite the huge gap between himself and the top six, Ellison has not given up hope just yet. He added:
“There isn’t much between the points because of a lot of other riders have had up and down seasons, with not being in the points and DNF’s. We also haven’t had the greatest of seasons, with things not going our way but it is really close.”
Both races at the hugely popular “Party in the Park” race meeting will take place this Sunday (August 19), with race one due to start at 13:10, followed by the second race of the day at 16:30.
