MotorcycleRaceParts | TYSERS
BSB Oulton Park 2023
Better Late Than Never as Tunstall Returns for 2023 Season
Having been injured in a pre-season testing crash Tom Tunstall made a successful start to his delayed 2023 season at Oulton Park. Taking a brace of wins in the British Supersport Cup Class!
Having enjoyed success on the Ducati V2 with a runner up spot in the Ducati Cup last season, the logical step for Tom Tunstall and his MotorcycleRaceParts team was a step up to the British Supersport Championship, in the Supersport Cup Class. Once again the team receive support and guidance of the highly experienced Moto Rapido Ducati outfit.
The New Generation rules balances all manufacturers, irrespective on engine size providing a level playing field and close racing.
The Supersport Cup class offers a cost-effective steppingstone as riders compete at their eight chosen rounds of the eleven-event calendar.
Early shakedown of the team’s new 2023 Ducati V2 didn’t start smoothly as during testing in Spain. An unusual crash left Tunstall with torn muscles in his thigh and abdomen.
Attempts to ride at the official UK tests only confirmed the severity of the injury and lead to the Yorkshireman missing the Silverstone season opener.
Round 2 at Oulton therefore provided the stage, despite still not being fully fit.
Changeable weather proved to be the theme of the bank holiday weekend.
The rain hit qualifying was cut short for Tunstall as a technical issue saw him miss out on the last third of the session and going into Q2 by only 0.17seconds.
Heavy rain postposed Sunday’s Sprint Race and reduced the laps from 12 to 8 with Tunstall lining up 28th Overall and 2nd on the grid in the Cup, 10 places behind the top Cup Class rider.
Taking four places on lap one, he chipped his way up to 19th overall and 1st in the cup with his closest rival over 12 seconds behind.
Monday’s longer feature race was the first dry track time since the opening free practice and the 16 laps proved more demanding.
With limited dry time on the bike, not only over the weekend, but this season Tunstall built his pace. Taking the lead in the Cup on lap six before pulling to a 10 second gap at the flag and making it two wins from two starts.
Having missed Silverstone he opens his account with 50 points to hold 5th in the Cup Championship. 36 points behind current leader Harry Leigh, but only two points off third.
Exhausted but happy Tunstall explained:
“It’s been so good to finally get our season started!
“The new rules and format have opened the door for us in the Supersport class and I’m very happy to continue onboard the V2. I could wheel out all the racing cliches but getting hurt, whilst unfortunate, especially the cause and timing is all part of the game.
This weekend has certainly been a bigger challenge than usual. With my lack of time on the bike and fitness issues. So it’s even more satisfying to come away with two wins, some silverwear, more confidence and in one piece!
I’ll continue to work at getting back to full fitness and I’m really look forward to building on this and getting into the season proper.”
The next event on the British Superbike Calendar is Donington Park over the weekend of the 19th-21st of May.
