Chris Burns will be flying the flag as sole rider for Team STP Racing this weekend as the Metzeler Racetec National Superstock Championship moves to Cadwell Park.
The 27-year-old Geordie race-ace is hoping to finally start what will be his first full race of the season on board the team’s distinctive MV Agusta F4 312R.
The former MotoGP pilot from Newcastle was unable to contest his home round at Croft a fortnight ago, after the team opted to miss the event to spend time working on the bikes in the run-up to the closing rounds of the season.
But he will be back in action this weekend ahead of Bank Holiday Monday’s race, and he admits he can’t wait.
“It’s been a strange season since I joined the squad, because the first two races were cancelled due to the rain and then we missed Croft,” he said. “I’m itching to line up and actually start a race which goes full distance this year.
“The team and I took part in an MV Owners Club event at Cadwell earlier this month which gave us a bit of track time and gave us an idea of which way we need to go when we arrive at the track.
“I’m enjoying riding the MV, it is a very good bike. Speed isn’t an issue for it and the chassis seems pretty responsive to adjustments so I’m hopeful that if we can get out there and use practice and qualifying to the full, we can get up to the sharp end of the grid.”
It may be a few years since Burns has raced at the 2.173mile Lincolnshire circuit, but it’s one he has fond memories of. The last time he raced a Superstock machine there was in 2002 when he started the race from pole and won by some 11 seconds.
“I do like Cadwell, it’s a cracking track and I’m very much looking forward to getting out there this weekend. I won my last Superstock race there so it would be great if I could do it again on Monday.”
Team Manager Warwick Nowland is confident that his rider can deliver. “Because of the nature of Cadwell Park, it is likely to be a difficult circuit for the MV Agusta 312R which is more suited to a fast and flowing layout. Our problem will be finding the ideal set-up for the bike,” he said.
“But the team, and Chris in particular, are incredibly motivated and will be pushing very hard for a result. With Chris having had extra track time on the bike recently, if we can find a good setting for him he should run well on race day.”
Qualifying will take place on Saturday and Sunday, with the race due to get underway at 2.05pm on Bank Holiday Monday.
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