THE FHO Racing BMW team will be back in action again this weekend as the Bennetts British Superbike Championship returns to Donington Park for the penultimate round of the season.
As the series tackles the Grand Prix layout of the iconic track, Superbike riders Peter Hickman and Ryan Vickers are both looking to build on their results at Oulton Park just a few days ago and will be pushing for what they hope will be their best results of the year to date in the weekend’s three races.
In the Pirelli National Superstock Championship, FHO Racing with Kobelco riders Alex Olsen and Jack Nixon are also gearing up for a further two races.
As Nixon aims to make further improvements in his battle back to full fitness, Olsen will be pushing hard for two wins in a bid to keep his championship hopes alive. Currently third in the standings, he is 32 points down on the leader but with 75 still available, everything is still very much to play for.
Peter Hickman, Superbike:
“So, it’s on to Donington – I’m really looking forward to it. Our bike works well around there and we’ve been really fast there over the years.
“We did have a cheeky extra round at Donington in July when the team entered the World Superbike round as a wildcard but that was very different, we’re back here now much later in the year and I don’t think the weather will be quite so kind this time!
“I’m hoping for a good weekend, let’s see where we can improve from what we achieved at Oulton and we’ll be looking to be back up at the front from the start of the weekend.”
Ryan Vickers, Superbike:
“I’ve always liked Donington Park it’s a good track – and the Grand Prix circuit is a proper circuit, much, much better than the National. I’m really looking forward to it and hopefully we can just build on what we did at Oulton.
“I’ve said I want to roll out with an identical bike to what we had at Oulton because last weekend we didn’t change much and I want to keep riding the same bike, building my confidence back up.
“After Oulton, I’m feeling really fired up and ready to go again, I think we can have a positive weekend at Donington and I can’t wait to get going.”
Alex Olsen, Superstock:
“We need to claw some points back over these next few races and we’ve always enjoyed going to Donington Park so hopefully we can get another good weekend in the bag. I’m excited for it, it should be a good round for us.
“I am hoping we’re going to have some decent weather because it’s not the best place to ride when the track conditions are a bit off, so hopefully it will be dry and we can have a fair race – but I guess that’s down to the gods, isn’t it?”
Jack Nixon, Superstock:
“Oulton was a tough weekend but I’m now focused on working hard to be ready for Donington Park where I will try and do my best.
“As a track, it’s a lot less physical and it’s also one I really enjoy so I’m confident we can have a much better weekend there. I’m looking forward to it, I want to push for two really good races and make amends for Oulton Park.”
Faye Ho, Team Principal:
“It’s been a very busy week for everybody in the paddock with such a quick turnaround but as always, the team has made it look seamless as they’ve switched from Oulton mode to Donington and now we are all ready to come back fighting.
“As a team we are looking ahead to what should be a good weekend for us. Both Peter and Ryan left the last round feeling much happier with the improvements they’d made and now they are keen to push on further at a track they both like and enjoy.
“It will also be an important round for Alex in Superstock as he needs two big results here to keep him in the title fight, but we have every confidence that he can do it. Jack is hoping for a better weekend as he continues to get stronger. It’s going to be busy, but we’re all ready for what should be a strong penultimate round for FHO Racing.”
