MotorcycleRaceParts | TYSERS
BSB Brands Hatch GP 2023
Tunstall Struggles to Put His Finger On It!
The latest round of the 2023 British Supersport Championship saw Tom Tunstall net another couple of podiums and take the championship lead despite being hampered by a finger injury.
The first of two visits the BSB series makes to the Brands Hatch GP circuit this season, in the MotorcycleRaceParts camp, rider Tom Tunstall arrived already nursing an injury!
Whilst helping friend and team mechanic Adam William’s racing effort the weekend before, Tunstall got his finger trapped whilst working on his race bike. Breaking the tip of his right middle finger and slicing off half the nail.
Pivotal for controlling the front brake and throttle it made a painful and frustrating weekend at Brands Hatch.
As the team continued to optimise the MotorcycleRaceParts Ducati V2 set-up and a special cast support was adapted to the finger it was clear still to be biggest issue limiting performance.
After progressing from Q1 into Q2 Tunstall was 5th of the Supersport Cup contenders and 26th of the 45 rider Supersport entry but struggling.
Saturday’s Sprint Race was held in very much wet conditions with rain lashing down throughout the 10 lap race.
The smoother less intense riding style required for the conditions helped Tunstall and with a solid performance he took 3rd place in the Cup.
Sundays 16 lap feature race was held on contrasting warm and dry track.
Another good start saw Tunstall leap from 4th to lead the Cup riders on the opening lap.
As the race settled in Tunstall was latched on the back of TT rider and last year’s Superstock Champion Davy Todd.
The pair were joined by Cup rival Jonathan Railton who edged past Tunstall on lap 10. On the last couple of laps he was unable to keep the pace and crossed the line as 2nd placed Cup rider.
Tunstall reflected:
“It’s been a tough weekend to ride around the injury, I’ve been unable to ride as I’d like and had to adapt my riding style to suit. It’s knocked my confidence as I wasn’t able to control the bike fully or hold on properly!”
“With all things considered to come away with another couple of podiums, the most combined points of the cup riders and the championship lead it’s turned out to be better than just damage limitation!”
“We’ve nudged forward further with both wet and dry settings so hopefully when I next ride I’ll be able to get more from it!”
The next chance for Tunstall to do so will be at the high speed Thruxton circuit in Hampshire over the weekend of the 11th-13th of August.
