SRG Specialist Risk Group - MotorcycleRaceParts | BSB - Snetterton 2024
Early Snetterton Exit for Tunstall
A crash in qualifying brought an early end to Tom Tunstall’s event missing out on two races at Snetterton having been one of 96 riders to get caught out in the difficult conditions.
A natural season break for the TT Races and Knockhill round meant it was back in May, seven weeks previously, when SRG [Specialist Risk Group] backed Tom Tunstall’s last competed.
Snetterton in Norfolk was the stage for the Yorkshireman’s return to action.
Technical issues in the first free practice were smoothed out for the second session allowing Tunstall to match his previous best on the Ducati V2.
Saturday’s qualifying was held in contrasting wet conditions and red flags in both track sessions prior to Supersport qualifying highlighted how tricky they were.
Despite planning to build pace throughout the session Tunstall didn’t get a chance as he was thrown from his bike on the very first lap of his run!
Another 2 riders crashing in separate crashes around the 2.69mile track brought out the red flag but damage to Tunstall’s Ducati meant he was unable to restart.
With the Supersport class being oversubscribed, and without setting a flying lap time Tunstall was unable to start either of the weekend’s races.
Tunstall was one of 96 crashes on the Saturday underlining just how challenging the conditions were.
Clearly disappointed but pragmatic Tunstall reflected on the crash and weekend as a whole:
“I was satisfied with free practice and saw the rain as a good opportunity. I’d planned to build up assessing the conditions. Turn one had standing water, good grip at turn two and knee down but as soon as I touched the throttle in turn three the bike flicked me straight off.
I’m not the only one who got caught out, the grip level was so inconsistent, but the mistake was mine to take on the chin.
To miss both races and the potential of a good chunk of Cup Championship points is a very bitter pill to swallow but this can happen in racing!
I was gutted but there is absolutely nothing to be gained by dwelling on it any further. Losing out on points in some ways takes some pressure off looking at the championship. My focus is now firmly set on just enjoying and doing our best at each race starting with the next round at Brands Hatch.”
The first of two visits BSB make to Brands Hatch takes place over the weekend of 19th-21st of July.
