Hockenheim
Fermanagh teenager Josh Elliott was in Hockenheim this weekend competing in the last round of the German IDM Supersport series.
Having suffered discomfort at the last round at Assen in Holland, he underwent significant back treatment to help correct some injury problems before leaving home last week.
This treatment seems to have worked as young Elliott showed a marked improvement in form all the way through free practice and qualifying. He improved from 16in first qualifying to 13th in final qualifying and was only one second off pole. He managed to do his best time on a race tyre which boded well for his race pace.
The Jeremy McWilliams Superbike academy student got a great start and made it up as far as 6th on lap one, but he had a moment which lost him two places. He settled into the race in eighth place and was looking strong in the early stages, holding onto a big group at the front.
As the team watched and waited in anticipation for Josh to recover it was obvious that something was wrong as he started to drop off the pace. He almost crashed as a result from a vibration that came into the bike and on lap eleven he had to retire.
It was discovered on his return that a tyre had developed a problem putting the balance badly out. The tyre was taken away for further investigation, but it was little consolation for the fifteen year old who was determined to finish off the season with a strong result. He finished 13th in this International German series which boasts many top quality riders and his team are very pleased with his first year on a 600 machine.
Gerry Bryce Team Principal "Josh's performance this year has been exceptional and has surpassed by far our expectations. For a rider so young to have achieved two podium finishes in his first year of Supersport racing shows what a talent he is. To have come back from injury and to compete so strongly here at Hockenheim, shows real depth of character. I'm sure he would have finished in the top five if we hadn't had the technical problem. We hope to compete in the CEV Spanish championship in November if we can secure the necessary budget, I'm sure he'll be as strong in that series as he has been in the IDM".
Jeremy McWilliams "I have been absolutely delighted with Josh's progress all year from our first outing together in Valencia. He has ridden well above his relatively limited experience on a supersport machine; he has a terrific future in motorcycle racing ahead of him."
We couldn't have been able to supply our support to Josh without the help of our loyal sponsors. Thanks to Direct CCTV, TRW and to Dunlop Tyres.
Words: Julian Elliott