Tyco BMW's Glenn Irwin believes the progress he has made since switching to the Moneymore-based outfit is clear for everyone to see and intends to capitalise on it at Oulton Park's Bennetts British Superbike round next weekend.
The Carrickfergus rider began this season with the Quattro Kawasaki team but split with them before Thruxton after results weren't forthcoming. He immediately signed up with Philip Neill's squad as a replacement for the injured Keith Farmer and has turned his results around.
“I think the progression is really clear to see. The sessions I have had on the BMW S1000RR have been really positive and we have got through to Q3 in two out of the two rounds I have been with the team," said Irwin.
"It is no secret amongst the riders that making Q3 is one of the hardest of the weekend now due to the level of the championship. That shows how capable the Tyco BMW is of doing the lap time and that is also shows in the results in the races, both from myself and my teammate as I have been looking at Christian to see what he has achieved and it shows that the potential is really high.
What is more pleasing is that I haven’t even tested the bike, I have just gone from race to race, so to do what we have in a short space of time is good for me but shows the level the team are operating at. In terms of development, there is so much more to come and that is exciting, giving where we know the bike is at the minute. I am excited for what comes next that’s for sure.
“When I first rode at Thruxton I had come back from an eye injury and even despite that when I jumped on it straight away and I looked down at my lap timer and was impressed with how we had been getting on. I didn’t feel like I had to push it for the promising times to come. At Cadwell Park we were top nine then top six; I am not surprised to be in that position because I know that is where both myself and the team can be, but it is a very strong class, so it shows the potential of the bike and team.
“I think looking back to Oulton Park earlier in the year the bike has progressed a lot since then, both Christian and Keith did a fantastic job, so it is nice going back to a track where we know the bike works well.
"Christian had the best result for the team with a fourth at the last round, combined with what I did there it is probably the best collective haul of points for the team this year.
'I think you want to better that and I believe it is a track that should suit us. There will be other riders that have their own battles for the Showdown but I am out there for myself to do a good job for Tyco BMW and Christian, so if we can get involved and help him out in any way….. The team have put faith in me and I want to repay them with the best results we can.”
