The FHO Racing BMW team celebrated another winning performance at Thruxton this weekend as Alex Olsen claimed a double victory to soar to the top of the Pirelli National Superstock Championship standings, whilst Peter Hickman was back on the podium in the Bennetts BSB class.
Alex delivered an incredible performance at Thruxton as he maintained his winning streak in sensational style. He was victorious for the second consecutive race as he launched the FHO Racing BMW back to the front of the field in the race one and then he made it a double celebration in race two. The incredible performance means the team leave the fourth round of the season heading the Pirelli National Superstock Championship standings by six points ahead of Donington Park.
In the Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Peter was back on the podium in the opening race of the weekend, following an impressive debut for the BMW M 1000 RR at the Hampshire circuit. Another top five finish in race two bolstered Peter’s position in the standings, but with the final race taking place in mixed conditions it was a gamble on tyre choice and that left Peter in eighth place. A consistent points’ haul has now moved Peter into sixth in the overall standings.
Xavi Forés meanwhile had a challenging weekend on only his second visit to Thruxton, narrowly missing out on the top ten as he bids to move forward at Donington Park in two weeks’ time.
Brian McCormack meanwhile returned to the circuit for the first time since 2008 and continued to improve his pace as he continues to hunt for his first points of the season, which have so far eluded the Roadhouse Macau by FHO Racing BMW rider.
Peter Hickman
R1 – 3rd, R2 – 5th, R3 – 8th
“It was a bit of a tough weekend, because it didn’t quite go the way we wanted it to. Race one was obviously great, we were up the front and had another podium finish, which was great for me and the team as this has traditionally been a strong round for me in the past.
“I still felt like we were struggling a little and I think that was down to using the harder compound tyre that you have to use at Thruxton, but I have always struggled with it. It meant that the racing didn’t go exactly how I wanted, and I was happy with the first race but we come to win, not to finish third!
“Today, race two didn’t go according to plan, I think I was a bit too cautious with saving the tyre and that allowed the group to get away from me and I still had good pace at the end, but I left it too late so solid points for fifth.
“Race three was mixed conditions which was always going to be a gamble but I went for full wets and I was hoping it would rain some more, as I don’t really like inters and as it turned out it wasn’t the right decision.
“I did as much as I could and led for nine laps and did the work early on to try and make time on the field, but it didn’t go our way and it dried out. It wasn’t the worst race, I have some good points to take home and I am up to sixth in the championship. So onwards to Donington Park next!”
Xavi Forés
R1 – 12th, R2 – 13th, R3 – DNF
“It was a tough one and a hard weekend for me, especially as I like the track but I didn’t feel strong enough as we had some weaknesses that meant we were not where we wanted to be.
“We tried many different setting changes but although we worked hard, I didn’t feel comfortable and that has been hard to understand. The team worked hard so I thank them, and hopefully we can come back stronger at Donington Park.”
Brian McCormack
R1 – 23rd, R2 – 22nd, R3 – DNF
“I had a really positive start to the weekend and I had a good race on Saturday where I was able to fight in the race but unfortunately we made a slight change to the setting and it really didn’t work. I wanted to redeem myself in a dry last race, but as it ended up, it was a tyre gamble and I personally didn’t make the right decision.
“I upped my pace and it was the first time I had been here since 2008, so I was happy with how the rest of the weekend went, Sunday just didn’t go our way. I have to thank all the Roadhouse Macau by FHO Racing BMW team for their efforts.”
Alex Olsen
R1 – 1st, R2 – 1st
“I felt like we could relax a bit once we got that first win at Brands Hatch as we know we have the pace to fight at the front. It was great to give the team another victory in the first one and then my mind-set was that we could do it again.
“In the second race I needed to get to the front as soon as I could and set a pace. Luke Mossey got a bit of a gap and I had to use some tyre to get to him again, but when I got to the front, I thought I could control the pace. I just knew I had to push so hard on the last lap and braked as late as I could and I am just so happy with this weekend. I have to thank the FHO Racing BMW team.”
Team Owner Faye Ho
“It has been a fantastic weekend for the team overall. We were so happy for Alex to win at Brands Hatch and he rode his heart out here to take a double victory – I couldn’t have asked for more from him. To lead the standings in the Superstock class at only our fourth round is unbelievable and we need to keep that going now.
“In the Superbike class Pete was back on the podium, and the races here were quite intense! It is good that he was able to score those important podium points, and I think in race three we could have had more if the weather had done what we expected.
“Xavi and Brian both had difficult weekends, but they will both regroup and I am sure they will come back stronger at Donington Park.”
FHO Racing BMW 
FHO Racing BMW 
Roadhouse Macau by FHO Racing BMW 
FHO Racing BMW 
FHO Racing BMW 
FHO Racing BMW 
FHO Racing BMW 
Roadhouse Macau by FHO Racing BMW
