McAMS Yamaha’s Tarran Mackenzie might not be lining up on the grid for the opening round of the 2022 Bennetts British Superbike Championship this weekend, but we caught up with the reigning Champion for his thoughts on Silverstone this weekend….
“You always see people that make a step over winter, whether that is because they have more experience or they have a new bike or team, there are a lot of things that change over winter. You leave the final round at Brands Hatch and everyone forgets, but then people crop up and surprise you, or some people don’t do as well as you think in testing.
"I think the fact that there were a lot of riders and manufacturers close and under the lap record at Snetterton, considering nobody had ridden race bikes since the end of last year, just shows the level of BSB. People were pushing!
“I think it showed that a lot of people are in a good place heading into this first round and BSB is looking as competitive as ever. Then there are other people who weren’t there on the times at the test, but they will be there come the races this weekend, so it is hard to pick names out of the hat to predict the Silverstone winner - there are so many potentials!
“I think Silverstone is quite an easy track where you can put a new tyre in and do a fast lap time, so it’s hard to tell who will have the pace over the race distance after testing. It has always worked well for the Yamahas in the past and also the Suzuki always seems to shine at this track. Ducati and Kawasaki are strong, but they haven’t won a race in recent years, so it will be interesting.
“I think Silverstone will be a hard race as it is so easy to get ahead of yourself and get carried away and you’re pushing, but then the last five laps it gets tricky with the tyre. It is close between the manufacturers and there isn’t a real standout, but it is about the rider and bike combinations that can keep the pace until the end and tyre preservation makes the difference.
“There are three Yamahas this weekend and the riders on them, Jason O'Halloran is very strong at Silverstone, Kyle has won there before and Brad has been strong there too, so I predict at least one Yamaha lock out of the podium!
“I am gutted though as it is my most successful track so I am gutted I am not racing this weekend. I think I have had 11 races there and in all the races I have finished, I have always been on the podium, so I always feel happy going to Silverstone. It is a strong points builder for me but it isn’t to be this year!”