Tom Neave: ‘This is just the beginning’

Market Rasen racers Tom and Tim Neave rode well at Donington Park where they were contesting the opening round of the Pirelli National Superstock 1000 Championship.
Tom celebrates a memorable day. Pic by Dave Yeomans.Tom celebrates a memorable day. Pic by Dave Yeomans.
Tom celebrates a memorable day. Pic by Dave Yeomans.

Tom took his maiden victory in the series for Louth-based Honda Racing plus the lap record in the second race.

Tim also rode well to finish fourth in race one and seventh in the second encounter for Buildbase Suzuki Racing.

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Tom was on top form throughout the weekend and completed his qualifying in second place to start the first 22 lap race from a front row grid position.

As the lights went out he shot away to establish the lead and was never troubled again as he coasted to his first win in the class to pick up maximum points.

The second race was marred by crashes and was eventually run as last race of the day on Sunday. Tom was deemed to be late joining the grid and was denied his pole position and placed at the back of the grid.

On the opening lap he remarkably passed 11 riders to move into 18th place and then picked off the opposition throughout the race to finally cross the finish line in fifth place. In his efforts to catch the leading group he set a new lap record with a time on 1m 07.419s - 105.67mph.

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Tom said: “Today couldn’t have gone any better really; it’s the perfect start to the first race weekend of the year.

“We keep improving the bike, the new Fireblade has so much potential and there’s still room for improvement, which is encouraging as it means we have more to come and we can go faster.

“I can’t even get my words out! I feel like I’ve got the monkey off my back and with everything I went through last year with my injuries and all the work I’ve put in over the winter - it feels like it’s finally paid off and I’m so proud to do it for Honda.

“It’s my dream team and probably one of the best days of my life really! I feel like the weight has been lifted and I can improve - this is just the beginning.”

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Meanwhile Tim completed his qualifying in 10th place and started the first race from row four. He got away to a good start and soon found himself up into sixth place. He continued to make progress and settled into third place on lap seven where he remained until overhauled by Danny Kent. Tim and Danny exchanged places through the remainder of the race but it was Kent who took the podium position with Tim following in a close fourth position.

Tim said: “Well how about that for a first race! I’m feeling mega; if someone said I was going to be fighting for a podium in my first race, especially after starting 10th, I would have been laughing. I am really happy with that.”

When the second race was red flagged for a second time Tim was holding the lead and when the rerun finally set off later on Sunday evening he got away to an amazing start taking the hole shot through Redgate and holding the race lead for three laps before Chrissy Rouse demoted him to second place.

As the pace hotted up he dropped down the field to eighth place but on the final lap Kent crashed out of the race leaving the way clear for Tim to take the chequered flag in seventh place.

The next round is at Snetterton on August 21-23.

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