Local motorcycle racer Stephen Thomas, also known as Tommo21, who rides for A Edwards Racing JTL on board a Yamaha, returned to action at round five of the British Supersport Cup Championship that took place at Snetterton in Norfolk on 6th and 7th July.
The circuit was originally built and used as an RAF airfield, used by the 96th United States Air Force Bomber Group between May 1943 and November 1948.
Friday's opening Free Practice session took place under cloudy skies and saw Thomas end the session with the seventh fastest time, 1:58.389s. Thomas made several adjustments to his bike before Free Practice 2 which took place later in the day and warmer conditions.
After making these changes Thomas was able to set a new personal best lap time around Snetterton on his seventh circulation and knocked a massive 1.909 seconds off his morning lap time, 1:56.429 seconds.
After making consistent progress throughout the day Thomas ended the opening day with the seventh-quickest time and felt good knowing a podium was achievable in the weekend's races.
Stephen Thomas was making good progress on Friday, July 5. (Image: Michael Wincott Photography)
Saturday's qualifying session determined the grid for the sprint race which took place in wet conditions. After adjusting his motorcycle to suit the changed conditions from the opening day Thomas qualified in 6th position with a lap time of 2:23.200s in the tricky conditions.
After some changeable conditions throughout the day, Saturday's 12-lap sprint race took place in tricky drying conditions. Thomas got a great start and had made up eight positions halfway around the opening lap.
Drama struck Thomas as he exited turn five when he high-sided out of the race while trying to pass another rider. Throughout the remaining laps of the race, several other riders crashed at the same corner which showed how tricky and treacherous the the conditions were.
Having dodged some rain showers earlier in the day Sunday's 16-lap feature race took place late afternoon in dry conditions. Thomas had to start from the back of the grid due to the first lap crash in the sprint race. He got a poor start but had passed several riders into turn one. As the riders approached turn two for the first time, a first gear hairpin, a gap opened between two riders ahead of him as another competitor went wide. Thomas went for the gap which abruptly closed on the exit of the corner. He instantly closed the throttle to avoid making contact, then reapplied the throttle to exit the corner, unfortunately, the rear spun around and flicked him off the bike.
Luckily Thomas escaped uninjured, unfortunately, as the bike lay on the track another rider who was unsighted hit his bike and also crashed.
After a challenging weekend and being off the bike for nine weeks, the pace that Thomas showed during Friday's free practice sessions was a huge positive which he will be carrying into the next round where he aims to turn his fortunes around.
Thomas would like to thank the A Edwards Racing squad for the hard work during a challenging weekend as well as his great friends and family who braved the conditions to support him over the weekend.
Round 6 of the Championship takes place at Brands Hatch in Kent, on 20th and 21st July where Thomas will be looking to continue his run of good form.
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