Tarran Mackenzie had a tough start to his Bennetts British Superbike Championship title defence but the McAMS Yamaha rider has been gaining ground, despite missing out on the podium points at Cadwell Park.
The reigning champion arrives at Snetterton in seventh place in the standings, holding a 22-point advantage over Danny Buchan currently in ninth position. Five places remain to be confirmed in the Showdown, with eight riders in contention and Mackenzie is bidding to consolidate his spot at the earliest opportunity.
Last year Mackenzie claimed a double victory and a second place finish at the Norfolk circuit, winning the Race of Aces title, and so has high hopes for next weekend’s races.
Mackenzie said: “Cadwell Park was a lot more positive for me than in previous years. I know our race didn’t look great with the result of P10, but the pace was a lot better. I felt really good in myself and I was with the group in front from tenth/eleventh, to fourth and the pace was just as good as theirs really.
“For some reason, maybe it’s a little bit of me, and little bit of Cadwell, the advantages I had with my bike, I didn’t feel like I was ever in the position to be able to pass. I was a bit of a sitting duck. If I could ride my own lines and do my own thing, then riding in the group in front was no problem, but in the first race on Monday I got stuck behind Tom Sykes and I just couldn’t pass him to save my life.
“In the last race I got a much better start and was following Glenn for most of the race and felt a lot better in myself and the pace improved. We never changed anything with the bike so I was just learning more, which was good.
“I left Cadwell in much more of a positive place than I did last year and I’m going to a track like Snetterton which I really enjoy. Last year was great for me with two wins and a second and we nearly did the triple, we were fast all weekend.
“I’m sure it will be just as tough as it was last year and everyone will have upped the pace and improved as well. It’ll be a fun weekend, I’m not quite confirmed in the Showdown just yet, but I feel like we can have a strong weekend and try and be back on the podium and try and win some races again. Most importantly confirm myself in that Showdown.”