TOM WEEDEN #11 UPDATE FOR SEASON SO FAR BSB 125cc

[Tom Weeden]

After a poor testing period plagued with setup and electrical problems, a poor shake down race at Mallory with an under powered bike and lots of lead attached. Tom Weeden, the 15 year old 125 racer, who moved up to BSB 125 this year has now at last had a very respectable start to the 2009 BSB season. Having moved up from Thundersport GB, Tom has found the pace much faster at BSB compared to club level. But he so far, with two rounds gone, he has managed to get to grips with this pace. After receiving his new tuned 125, Tom had little time to get used to the new bike, steering was drastically changed due to the huge amount of lead on the bike (BSB rules require a minimum weight of combined rider and bike; unfortunately due to Toms tiny stature, this meant it needed lots of lead put in the bike to bring him up to the weight limit). Most teams went to Spain to test, but Tom was stuck with 1 day track days here and there. Now though, Tom is back on pace and is currently placed 8th in the BSB Academy Cup 125 class. He had a torrid time at Brands Hatch, his local circuit, due to the bike malfunctioning, but Tom worked hard to finish a credible 10th in the Cup.



The Taboo Motorsport rider said after Brands “A reasonable start to the season for me, we had major bike problems but thanks to the team and the extra help from Mark Keen they were mostly sorted out for the race. I now have my first BSB race meeting under my belt and I can move on from here. I finished the race and got points on the board in the Academy Cup; Hopefully I can improve on my riding and sort the bike out a bit more ready for Oulton Park. It’s a big step up for me coming from Club racing, and racing against much more experienced competitors but I am enjoying the challenge and hopefully I can put in a good result in the next round"



Tom arrived at Oulton Park with high hopes, he hadn’t been there since the beginning of last season; his second race ever on a 125!

Practice went well and he relearn't the track and put some respectable lap times. In the race Tom worked his way steadily up the field after a poor qualifying session.

After the race Tom said



"This was a really good meeting for me! I spent free practice learning the track. Qualifying wasn’t as good as I’d hoped, but I know this will improve. The weather conditions for the race were changeable and the tyre choice was critical. I chose a slick on the rear and wet on the front (we have no intermediates). My start was very good but I didn’t start as aggressively as I should have done, due to lack of trust in the greasy track conditions. I put in some quick laps and caught the pack in front of me and after a lap working out where they were slower than me I made several places. I finished 5th in Academy Cup and 20th overall which exceeded my expectations massively (after qualifying far down in 31st). It was a great race and hopefully I can go 5 better at Donington Park (in the Academy Cup) and get in the top 15 overall as well!"



Tom will be racing next at Donington Park, a circuit which Tom hasn’t got much experience on. But hopefully he can pull it out of the bag again and put in a good result!