Smiths BMW’s Peter Hickman had to contend with electronic issues through the whole Bennetts British Superbike weekend at Oulton Park where his S1000RR was cutting and surging at inopportune moments.

The Isle of Man TT outright lap record holder didn’t make it into qualifying three but fought through for eight points and then did the same in race two despite beaten up in the early laps.

“It’s been a tough weekend where we’ve been plagued by some sort of electronic problem all three days. We could improve it and make the bike better, but we couldn’t cure it and with Oulton Park being a difficult circuit at the best of times, the issue has made it even more so,” said Hickman.

“On the positive side of things, we found a good wet setting which allowed me to compete and although eighth in the first race wasn’t the best of results, it was a good one for me in the wet after the struggles we’ve had. In the second race, I got bullied a bit in the first couple of laps and got pushed onto the damp stuff but by the middle of the race my pace was as good as anyone’s.

“We have the potential to be at the front, without doubt, but qualifying is still an issue and the additional electronic issue that has plagued us all weekend has hindered us even further. The team have been mega, like always, and have turned the bike upside down and inside out, changing practically everything so a massive thanks to them.”