FHO Racing BMW celebrated an incredible home round performance at Lincolnshire’s Cadwell Park circuit as Peter Hickman not only claimed Faye Ho’s team their first win in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship, but made it a double and narrowly missed a hat trick this weekend.
Qualifying on the front row in the opening race on Saturday, Peter had hit the front of the pack on the seventh lap and was able to deliver lap-record breaking pace to win by an impressive 2.080s at his home round.
Peter then was able to continue his winning momentum into race two, taking the lead from rival Jason O’Halloran with a move into Mansfield at half race distance to move into first. A determined ride meant he kept the championship leader behind him, to make it a double celebration for Faye Ho’s team in their debut campaign.
However, in race three Peter looked set to complete the set, however a small error meant a huge moment on the final lap, and after managing to keep the M 1000 RR on track, he was forced to settle for second on the drag to the chequered flag.
Xavi Forés continued to try and move his way up the order in the three races at the challenging Lincolnshire circuit, the Spaniard just missing out on a top ten finish, whilst on the Roadhouse Macau by FHO Racing BMW, Brian McCormack had another learning weekend as he targets his first points.
In the Pirelli National Superstock Championship, Alex Olsen again delivered a podium finishing performance, narrowly missing out on the win by 0.751s to continue his podium haul in 2021. The second place means he holds second in the overall championship standings, just five points off the lead.
Peter Hickman
R1: 1st, R2: 1st, R3: 2nd
“It is mega feeling to win! We have had a bad run of luck and that first race was perfect. I knew I had the pace as the FHO Racing BMW has been fantastic.
“It was pretty much a perfect race in the end. I saw Jason and Glenn making some moves to start with but I felt I had more pace than they did, so I just settled in at the start. I managed to pull a clean move on Jason at Mansfield, which is always tricky there! I then needed to get Glenn and fortunately, he made a mistake, so I was able to take advantage at Barn and that gave me what I needed.
“This is such a tough track, so it feels even better to win! I had to keep my concentration and not make any mistakes, so to be leading until the chequered flag felt like an eternity.
“I am so happy for Faye, and to get our first win here for the team at their home round, was great. It is only our first season, and with fans all the way around the circuit, it made it even more special. It was an awesome first race day.
“Race two was certainly a harder race than yesterday, although it is never easy around Cadwell Park! I was watching my pitboard and then I had a little bit of arm pump, but I saw Jason was getting closer and I could hear him!
“I knew I had to be a bit more defensive, but not compromise my speed. I got away with it towards the end but it was fantastic to make it a double.
“To say I am disappointed to have not made it a hat trick would be an understatement, but it was my only mistake all weekend. It cost me the race, so that was frustrating but I am pleased I was able to save it, as the rear came right around at 120-140mph! That gave Jason the chance and I thought about having a lunge back, but I just wasn’t close enough.
“Two wins and a second place, plus Milwaukee King of the Mountain, so I am really pleased with a fantastic weekend for the FHO Racing BMW team as that is a big point’s haul for the championship.”
Xavi Forés
R1: 14th, R2: 12th, R3: 13th
“It was a tough weekend for me again here at Cadwell Park. We tried to set the bike close to Pete’s setup, but the chatter was still bad for me.
“Today for the last race we made some changes on the suspension and that allowed me to be faster and more consistent with my lap times, by nearly 0.7 per lap so despite the earlier problems, I finished the last race closer to the pack.
“After the last race I felt happier with the changes and the direction we had taken with the bike. I want to congratulate Peter for such a strong weekend and the whole team for the wins. It’s great to see all the effort they have put in after just half a season paying back already.”
Brian McCormack
R1: 20th, R2: DNF, R3: 19th
“It was a hard weekend as it is a quirky track to learn. I have spent time at the team base this week, and that has been great. I was learning all weekend, and I have had a good experience, but to get the pace we needed was hard. I am so happy for the team after all the effort the team have put in.”
Alex Olsen
Pirelli National Superstock Championship
R1: 2nd
“It was an amazing weekend considering this is not my best track. To fight for the win and be on the podium was great, especially with Pete winning in BSB. Our title fight is still on track and now I need to keep pushing for the podium, so I have to thank the whole team for their efforts this weekend.”
Team Owner Faye Ho
“This weekend has just been incredible and even watching the races back now my heart is pounding!
“The wins in the Superbike class mean so much to me and to the team who have worked hard to put us at the front after only six events in our first ever season.
“The win in race one was so special and Pete did a fantastic job despite the pressure – it still hasn’t all sunk in yet really.
“To have scored two wins and a second place in BSB and a podium finish with Alex in Superstock is just amazing and I can’t wait until Snetterton now!”
FHO Racing BMW 
FHO Racing BMW 
Roadhouse Macau by FHO Racing BMW 
FHO Racing BMW 
