Smith’s BMW’s Billy McConnell surprised himself with his quick pace during the second MCE British Superbike free practice outing at Donington Park this afternoon. The reigning Motorpoint British Supersport champion overcame electronic problems to bag the fourth quickest time – a 1’30.350 in FP2.
The Aussie is not getting too ahead of himself and knows that qualifying and race-day is where it counts. His team haven’t changed anything since they tested in Spain, and McConnell is really happy with the chassis setting, and his crew won’t be making major changes tonight in preparation for the final free practice session tomorrow morning.
“It was really good today. What we struggled with in the first session was getting to grips with the electronics. We worked really hard on it and made the bike feel like it did in Spain and we had a good pace there and its like riding a big 600 at the moment. I rode it like a 600 and I was fourth quickest as the power was really smooth and direct,” said McConnell, speaking to bikesportnews.com from the team garage.
“The good thing is that we get better as the tyre wears on, so it’s a good sign – but we are not getting too excited as in this class everyone keeps stepping up on their game, but with the BMW RR we have got a good chassis setting at the moment and we haven’t changed anything since Spain so it is feeling really good - and hopefully we can be up there tomorrow.
“We are doing small baby steps and we are chipping away – my aim is the top ten but we don’t want to get too over excited and anything in the top five will be like a podium for me at the moment. We wont change anything chassis wise it is literally all electronic. It is a bit surreal in the Superbike class as you are racing with people I see on TV. It is a bit of a blur at the moment and I want the team to get the benefits too – and the belief that I can make it as a Superbike rider.”
