Tom Weeden Silverstone GP Round 4 Race Report

 Tom Weeden and the Triumph Triple Challenge were lucky enough to have the opportunity to showcase their talents in front of the huge crowd at Moto GP last weekend at Silverstone.

On the back of a promising start to the campaign, Weeden was determined to gain that first elusive podium in the TTC that he is so desperately craving.  Back in 2009, Weeden rode at Donington Park in a support race to Moto GP in the Thundersport GP3 championship. He qualified second in wet conditions and rode brilliantly to finish second in the race; Tom was eager for a similar result this time.

Silverstone was a track that didn't hold too much luck for Tom on the 125s in both 2009 and 2010; however it seemed that his Silverstone bogeys had disappeared and Weeden proved that he was a podium contender for the race in the practice and qualifying sessions.

He was sixth fastest in Free Practice in dry conditions, but the rain came down for qualifying. Weeden was confident that this would play into his hands, despite having never ridden his Triumph in wet conditions. Tom went out and immediately felt comfortable, the bike felt easy to ride in wet conditions compared to the 125 that he rode last year, and he instantly felt capable of a good qualifying position. Weeden went second quickest, 1.4 seconds faster than third place.

Unfortunately for Tom the rain held off for the race on Saturday, but he remained confident of a good result in the dry. He got off the line well, getting the holeshot into turn one. Tom did not have the pace to run with the front runners and he was pushed down to sixth by the end of lap three. Weeden got his head down and on lap five he passed Phil Atkinson to move up fifth. However, disaster struck on lap seven at the Loop, Tom lost the front mid corner and his race was over.

With heavy rain forecasted for Sunday, Weeden was confident he could get on the podium. However, unfortunately the race was cancelled, as the weather continued to worsen throughout the day. The Red Bull Rookies race, prior to the scheduled Triumph Triple Challenge race two, saw 56% of the starter's crash out due to the appalling conditions.

Tom is now looking forward to next weekend at Knockhill where he is making his debut in the Metzeler National Superstock 600 series.

Tom said: “I have to take the positives from this weekend after crashing out in the race. Qualifying in second in the wet felt really good, and I look forward to being on the front row often and hopefully the podium sooner rather later.”

Steve said:“We are both still learning the bike and set up, however it is coming together now and soon Tom will be standing on that so far elusive  podium.”

The abandoned race will now be run at the new Snetterton 300 circuit in the first of three races over the course of the weekend, using the grid positions from Silverstone.

Photos by SWAFFSPHOTOGRAPHY