TAKING ON THE SUPERSPORT BIG BOYS

By BSB Reporter Tammy Milsom

Each year we witness the increasing amount of speed addicted, throttle-craving women prove motorbike racing is not just a man's sport. This year sees Jenny Tinmouth debut in the Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport Championship Cup on a Honda CBR600RR.

The bike mechanic from Ellesmere Port has swapped her usual screaming two-stroke for a powerful four cylinder. After a couple of races on a VFR400 Tinmouth's racing career started in 2000 on a 125cc at club level before venturing into the MRO championship a year later.

2004 saw her enter into the British GP125 championship becoming the first ever female to lead and to score points within a British Championship race. In addition she finished third overall in the EMRA championship.

After promises of a Supersport ride falling through in 2005 Jenny continued to race the 125cc prior to taking the leap this year, she said: “It's good, brilliant I love it. It's been down to the finances, but I've wanted to do it for years and I did really well last year on the 125cc and I got some more sponsors. It's not enough, we are still struggling, we are just doing a round-by-round basis.”

Jenny rounded off 2007 with a stunning opportunity to ride Chris Walker's Rizla Suzuki in the Race of the Year at Mallory Park alongside Cal Crutchlow. Her talent was spotted and superbly rated by three-times British Superbike Champion John Reynolds allowing her to become the first female in the UK to race a fully-fledged Superbike.

After missing the first couple of Supersport Cup rounds Jenny struggled to qualify at Oulton, but had a successful weekend at the fourth round at Donington Park over the Bank Holiday Weekend. After qualifying 35th on the grid, she finished 30th overall.

Explaining why she chose the Honda for her Supersport quest, she said: “I've always been a major Honda fan, but the price and specification of the bike was good for the price. It's only two years old, it was Aaron Walker's bike last year. It was just a brilliant deal it had spare parts and an engine. I have still got my 125cc as something to full back on as it's cheap to run.”

Jenny will also be at this weekend’s BSN.com/ThundersportGB Ladies Race at Brands Hatch. She said: “I would like to mention Mark Brice Racing who has provided the funding for me to enter the race this weekend. Also a big thank you to my general sponsors CS2U and Hollins Strategic Land.”

For further information or to contact Jenny regarding possible sponsorship to allow her to be a regular entrant into the televised British support race log on to www.jennytinmouth.com.