IDM Lausitzring
After an intense European preseason testing program at Portimao, Valencia, Brno and Oschersleben, 14 year old Josh was finally let loose at the first round of the German (IDM) Supersport championship at Lausitzring in eastern Germany.
Josh had arrived a 14 year old and under the age limit to race in the IDM by a few weeks. Despite this the German authorities took account of his ability and experience on the European stage and judged he was able to avail of a special dispensation to race. Having been given a 'release' by his home licensing authority, the 'MCUI' Josh was issued with both a national and international German racing licence on passing a medical at the track prior to free practice.
Without prior testing at this venue both mentor Jeremy McWilliams and Josh found the track particularly difficult to find a set up on their Direct cctv Racedays Honda 600 machines, due to the very bumpy surface. They had a difficult free practice with many suspension changes to try and find a compromise with the severe bumps on the circuit. Still searching for the best setting both had a tough qualifying with Jezza starting 15th and Josh 30th in the field of 44 International riders.
A better setting and tyre set up was discovered before race one and both riders made great progress through the field with Ex GP star McWilliams fighting through to 5th place points rider, and lap times similar to the leaders by race end. Josh made a super start and got stronger by race end to get into a 13 place points finish.
Josh was introduced to far greater press interest than he had experienced in his short career to date, and finishing in the points in his first ever IDM race on a 600 brought even the chief steward to the parc ferme to congratulate him.
With minor changes made for morning warm up both riders were looking forward to even better results in race two. Before that they had the pit lane walk and both were mobbed by dozens of passionate race fans armed with GP pics of Jeremy and Rookie pics of Josh for signing.
A better race two was not to be unfortunately, as Jezza, having made a very good start moving up to 7th place on lap three was taken down from behind going into turn one by another rider. The crash resulted in a minor ankle fracture which needed an operation on his return home. Josh on the other hand, had stormed through from 30th to 17th and was looking good for another strong finish when he suffered a mechanical failure and had to retire.
Team principal Gerry Bryce commented after the race, "I'm very disappointed for the boys, Jeremy in particular with the injury. Terrible luck when he was making superb progress in race two after a fantastic fight in race one yesterday. Josh surprised all of us with his race pace and has certainly grabbed the attention of the German fans. We have work to do in the horse power department for the next round, which unfortunately Jeremy will miss. I think Josh can do well at Oschersleben if we can find him some more speed."