BRANDON PAASCH CARDS TWO TOP 10 FINISHES AT THRUXTON IN 2018 HEL PERFORMANCE BRITISH MOTOSTAR CHAMPIONSHIP

Visiting the Thruxton Circuit for the first time in his racing career, Brandon Paasch was able to come away with a Top 10 finish in both races of the 2018 HEL Performance British Motostar Championship. He used the first practice session to scope out the track and find the fast lines, then set about improving is speed around the fast and flowing circuit in the second practice session. In qualifying, Brandon never

found a good rhythm but still managed to set his fastest lap yet to secure 6th place, on the second row of the grid.

“Thruxton is a really fast track, just one chicane that slows you down. I figured out the fast line in the first practice, and then I caught a bit of a tow from Jake Archer in the second practice to really get up to speed. I never really got a good run in qualifying, but I still put it on the second row for the start, less than a second from the pole sitter.” (Brandon Paasch)

For Race 1, Brandon made a good start to stay with the lead group for the first third of the race. A small mistake saw him slip back about three seconds from the pack, but as he’s done all season, Brandon put his head down and charged hard to get back to the front. Catching a big multi-bike draft into the final corner, he passed 3 riders into the turn. Unfortunately, he bumped into Archer and knocked the series leader down. A post-race review moved Brandon from third back to seventh, with these results final.

Race 2 saw Brandon back on the second row to start, but a slow launch allowed a few competitors to pass him in the first turn and he fell back to 10th on the first lap. By the second lap, he had moved back up to 7th position, due to a couple adjustments on the rear suspension that helped him drive harder out of the corners. On the final lap, Brandon was passed at the penultimate corner and ended the race in 8th place.

“For the first race, I got a better start and initially was on the back of the front group. I made a couple mistakes and fell off the back of the group. I regrouped and put on a charge, like I have at every other race this year. Going onto the last lap, I just got onto the back of the lead group. Everyone was fighting hard for the podium, and there were seven of us going into the last corner on the last lap. I got sucked in on the draft really deep and bumped into Jake Archer. I am very sorry for this, and I’m glad he was okay in the end. It was tough to take a 20 second penalty after working so hard to get back on the podium, but I’m determined to get back up there.

For the Race 2 warm up, we tried something different with the shock and it worked well. I was more comfortable and very confident going into the race. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a very good start and lost 4 positions on the first lap, pushing me back to 10th. I worked my way back up to 7th on Lap 2 and was trying my best to close the gap down to the front group, but it just wasn’t possible. On the last lap I got passed and finished 8th. This was very disappointing considering the pace I had in Race 1, but we will be ready for Cadwell Park in 2

It’s great working with the whole Microlise Cresswell Racing Team on the Mahindra, we’re definitely moving forward on the setup and working better with the Bridgestone tires. Special thanks to my crew Dave, Andy, Richard and Alan for always giving me 100%. Thanks to Spidi and Arai for keeping me safe, and to Electronic Concepts LLC, Evolve GT, luxeStar VIP, DRH, VNM Sport, and CCC Manhattan. Always a big thanks to my Mom and Big Bird – without them none of this would be possible.” (Brandon Paasch)

After 5 of 9 rounds, Brandon remains 6th in the 2018 HEL Performance British Motostar Championship.

Follow Brandon’s progress on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for an inside look at his racing season.

Facebook: @BrandonPaasch facebook.com/BrandonPaasch/

Instagram.com/brandon_paasch

Twitter: @PaaschBrandon

Hashtag: #Paasch_BSBMoto3_2018 #SendItBP2018

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