Chris Burns is feeling upbeat and ready to go as the Bennetts British Superbike Championship finally gets underway at the UK’s fastest racetrack this weekend. Following a test at Oulton Park last Friday, the 27-year-old from Newcastle is itching to get back in the saddle of his STP Motorsport MV Agusta F312RR.
And although there is still some way to go with the development of the bike – which the squad only took delivery of five weeks ago – Burns believes it is looking good for the team.
“What people need to realise is that we’re really still working with a standard bike with race tyres, and when you are competing in something as fiercely contested as the British Superbike Championship, you are up against some serious competition.
“But STP Motorsport are a good team, everyone is reading from the same hymn book and none of us are expecting miracles with it yet. This bike is totally new to Superbike racing, and we’re the guys charged with developing it – it’s hardly a simple task!”
While the team were able to keep up with their Superbike Cup rivals at Brands Hatch two weeks ago, it is likely they will suffer at the super-quick Hampshire circuit, which boasts the fastest corner in the UK.
“We need more horsepower, and although we know we’ll get there soon, I don’t think Thruxton is going to be too kind to us. We have to be realistic, and recognise that we are going to be at a bit of a disadvantage.
“But that hasn’t affected the team at all. Everyone is working hard, we’re all determined that we can make this work and there is no reason we can’t finish in the top three in the Cup.”
Burns’ weekend gets underway with two free practice sessions on Friday, qualifying on Saturday and two races on Sunday.
