MotorcycleRaceParts | TYSERS
BSB Donington Park 2 2023
Tunstall Takes Supersport Cup Title!
A second place finish on Saturday followed by a win on Sunday at Donington Park gave Tom Tunstall an unassailable points lead. Taking the 2023 British Supersport Cup Championship with two races still remaining.
The penultimate round of the 2023 British Superbike series saw a return to the Donington GP circuit in Leicestershire.
Tom Tunstall was one of the 45 strong entry list that elected not to go out in the first with Free Practice with unsettled weather playing its part for the first time of the weekend.
A dry second session gave the teams chance to work on setting and in the MotorcycleRaceParts camp the three options tested in session didn’t give the desired feedback. Going into qualifying very much on the back foot.
A positive direction gained over night saw Tunstall through to Q2 with another slight tweak yielding a 2nd place in cup. Only two tenths off Jonathan Railton in first and 25th overall position on the grid for Saturday’s 18 lap race.
Early into the race Tunstall held second with Cup rival Railton just ahead.
For the majority of the race the pair held position matching each other’s times lap on lap.
Six laps to go Railton pushed again with Tunstall responding; despite attempts on the final circulation Tunstall took the flag in 2nd only 0.16 from the win. The result meant Tunstall needed only 2 points from the final three races to take the Cup title.
Sunday’s race two was held in contrasting conditions with rain and standing water adding to the challenge.
A steady start in the tricky conditions with visibility limited by spray saw Tunstall slot into 3rd of the Cup runners.
Building pace he took second from Railton on lap two, then the cup lead from Dave Grace four laps later.
Improving his times every lap he pulled clear putting two GP2 riders and six second between he closest rival at the flag – taking 19th overall but more importantly his 7th Cup win of the season and the Championship in turn.
Reflecting on his weekend an understandably happy Tunstall explained:
“After a decent showing here earlier in the year I was surprised how far we were away at the start to the weekend but things certainly improved!..
The steps we made for qualifying were really reassuring and to just miss out the win in the dry was a little frustrating but today definitely made up for it. Part of me was cautious to get points in the bag but it just flowed well and came to me. An enjoyable race and over the moon to wrap up the championship!
It’s been a challenging season. From carrying the injuries into and through the delayed start of our campaign and having to relearn the V2 with no data transferable from last year. We’ve had good, close racing all year. It’s been enjoyable and the combination of the Next Generation Supersport regulations and the Cup class format has been great.
I’m very grateful to all in our small team, we’ve continually worked hard and with much appreciated guidance from the guys at Moto Rapido too, progress has been and still being made. Which builds confidence and enjoyment further.
We owe massive thanks to the guys from Tysers, Bradbury Racing, MaximiseMyLand and everyone who has helped make this year happen.
There is a lot of work that goes into racing bikes, probably more hard times than good, but moments like this are special and it’s important to enjoy the feeling”.
The 2023 season finale takes place in just under two weeks time as the series concludes on the traditional Brands Hatch GP circuit 13th-15th of October.
