BSB: Rea and Elliott primed for top results at Oulton Park

The OMG Racing Suzuki team roll into leafy Cheshire for the tenth round of the 2018 Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Oulton Park this weekend; for the second and final visit to the circuit this season. The roller coaster of a circuit, which is spread over an undulating 2.6 miles of phenomenally scenic countryside, has always hosted thrilling racing since the track first opened back in 1953 and 2018 promises to be no exception. With OMG riders Gino Rea and Josh Elliott coming into the round off the back of their best weekend yet at the Silverstone National Circuit, focus is now turned to building on those solid foundations that were set just a week ago.

Gino Rea’s sensational double top ten at Silverstone showed that the Londoner had turned a corner with set-up to his Suzuki, with Gino stating that it was the best the bike felt all year. Gino’s debut at Oulton Park this year yielded a points finish, with a 13th in race one being Gino’s best result at the time. With the feeling with the OMG Racing Suzuki now much stronger four months later, Gino’s sights are set firmly on showing the amount of progress he and the team have made.

“We go into Oulton Park off the back of our best round of the year so I’m looking forward to it. At Silverstone, we not only had our best race result, but it was the best I’ve felt on the bike and we really closed the gap to the leaders. This weekend is a very different type of circuit but we’re hoping that our progress will show there too. The weather looks to be a bit inconsistent so I’m sure that will shake things up as well!”

Josh Elliott’s stellar year continues, with a win and two 2nd-places being his latest success aboard the OMG Racing Suzuki. The 2015 National Superstock 1000 champion has been a podium man at Oulton Park before, with a double podium back in 2015 on his way to the title and a win in 2016 – his last one until joining the OMG Racing outfit, who have given him a bike that he is comfortable with everywhere he goes. With a top three finish in every year since 2015 and points at the circuit since 2014 in the National Superstock 1000 class, Elliott is out to impress once more in front of what is expected to be a capacity Cheshire crowd.

“Coming away from Silverstone with a win and two 2nd-place finishes means I’m confident we can be as competitive at Oulton Park this weekend. The OMG Racing Suzuki is feeling good and the team are working well. Oulton Park has a unique style and requires a slightly different approach than Silverstone, but we will prepare as best we can for the two races and see where we end up. It always provides some great racing and, especially with the championship points so close at the top, there could be some fireworks!”.

Whilst Gino may have missed out on the Showdown, Josh Elliott is still in with a mathematical chance of winning the National Superstock 1000 championship. One of the highest point scorers in recent rounds, the Ulsterman may well be one to watch at Oulton Park.