This weekend Team Virgin Mobile Yamaha's Tommy Hill enters the next round of the World Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch as a wildcard, but will he match his performance from earlier this year? Back in May, Hill stepped up to the international stage at Silverstone when he entered the World Superbike Championship round as a wildcard for the first time.
Noone could have predicted what would happen next. The 21 year old rode beyond his years and qualified for Superpole. Not only that, Hill outrode the World Superbike stalwarts such as Bayliss, Corser and Walker and grabbed pole position, being fastest by almost a second in very tricky wet conditions.
Rock on Tommy came away with an incredible two 12th places in the races and put himself and Team Virgin Mobile Yamaha on the World map.
Since then Tommy and the Team have come a long way. Getting stronger and more confident, consistently running in the top flight of riders in the British Superbike Championship including grabbing a fantastic third place podium spot in June at Snetterton, who knows what will happen when he enters as a Wildcard again at Brands Hatch this weekend.
Lingfield in Surrey based Hill is the only rider from the British Superbike Championship to have a wildcard entry into the British rounds of the World Superbike Championship after the Team chose to run with Pirelli tyres this season.
It was part of a masterplan by Team Manager, Rob McElnea who back in 2003 started the Virgin Mobile Cup, a one-make series designed to uncover new British riding talent. The dream was to find an international star. Tommy was the inaugural winner and since then has earned his place in the Virgin Mobile Yamaha British Superbike Team.
Tommy Hill: "Getting the pole position at Silverstone was like a dream come true. It was all about showing what we are capable of in a same-make tyre championship. I was confident and focussed on doing my best and when I was riding with the lead riders I realised I had the ability to run the same lap times. Who knows what will happen this time, I have improved since then, but I guess so has everyone else. No pressure on me, just get out there and ride my best."
Rob McElnea:“When Tommy got pole I wanted somebody to pinch me! We all knew Tommy was going well but this just shows how much talent and maturity this lad has. For a 21 year old to be on pole in his first ever go at the World stage is incredible, we are looking forward to seeing what Tommy and the Team can do this time!"
All eyes will be on Team Virgin Mobile Yamaha's Tommy Hill when he is in action at the Corona Extra Superbike World Championship Brands Hatch round this weekend 5/6 August.
Related Linkswww.virginmobileracing.com
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