Practice front-runner Keith Farmer has revealed his elation with the inroads he’s made on the new BMW S1000RR, despite sporting stock parts.
Tyco BMW’s leading rider finished the day on top with 0.036s to spare over Be Wiser Ducati’s Josh Brookes, marking the first time he’s led a Bennetts British Superbike session.
The Northern Irishman, who boasts a lone BSB podium from Brands Hatch way back in 2014, believes he is nearing form that could get him to the sharp end – thanks in part to tutoring by crew chief Phil McClaughlin.
“I’ve been aiming solely for top 10s, even throughout this year,” Farmer told Bikesport News, “but with my crew chief Phil teaching me to get the best out of the bike by the way I need to ride it.
“By putting that into practice it’s like its brought us a step further quicker than we thought, so it’s really good.”
Farmer also admitted that the new 2019 machine is still running equipped with pieces of stock kit, and that both he and the team are learning each time out. But last year’s Superstock 1000 champ says he’ll be delighted if the trend continues.
“It’s definitely nice to see the bike up there. The bike is so stock still, we’ve got the shift cam working this weekend but we’ve still got a stock swinging arm, stock engine, stock gearbox, everything is relatively brand new with it and the boys are still learning – we’re all learning.
“If we keep developing each round and if we keep getting these positions, we’ll be happy.”
