Luca Wilkinson

“On Friday we did a track walk with the one and only Andy Wales – Luca’s instructor – and Aleisha Layton. In Friday’s practice, we chipped away at the times with lots of learning thanks to Andy.

“On Saturday, it was straight into qualifying. Not a great pace, but managed P4 in the very last lap and within 0.2 seconds off pole.

“Race 1 – I got the holeshot, but dropped to third halfway through the lap. Settled in and felt good hanging on to the second-place rider. Unfortunately, on lap 4, I was hit from behind and lost three places. With a bent shock adjuster, I couldn’t get my foot on the peg properly. Brought it home 5^th for some valuable points.

“Race 2 – Starting 7^th and another great start. I was again sitting in third but the group were all together. Red flag so a restart, followed by a four-lap dash. Not a great start and ended up on the outside of turn 1 on the still-wet kerbs. Dropped down to 6^th, the battle was on. Managed to work my way back up to 4^th and get the fastest lap so pole for Sunday’s race.

“Race 3 – Straight into the lead until lap 5 where he dropped down to 4th. Time to dig in. More laps of dicing, with backmarkers playing their part & a fair few place changes. Into the final lap and 3 changes for the lead ending in 1st at the line by just 0.002secs. So close he didn’t even know until we told him in the pits.

“Race 4 – Starting 4^th, great start into the lead but race red-flagged on lap 5. Restart running in 1^st but with two laps to go I hit a false neutral coming into turn 1 and dropped to 4^th. Last lap and it was three abreast going into turn 1, and I almost ended up on the grass, but had the inside line full ‘block pass’. So into the lead and set my personal PB and first time into the 1:06s – an amazing 1^st-place finish.�

Aleisha Layton

“Where do I start?! During Friday practice, we built up our pace gradually and were in the 1:08s which I was very happy with.

“Qualifying: the track was pretty busy and I just couldn’t get a clean flying lap in, so had to settle for P10.

“Race 1: I managed to get amongst the leading group, due to another great start which put me in P6 straight away. I managed to get up to P3 with one lap to go, but ended losing out and settled for P4. But this was a race I was very happy with.

“Race 2: The weather was a mixed bag most of the day, so dad tried a new setup and let’s just say it didn’t work… but another lesson learnt!

“Race 3: We woke up with the sun shining, so we went and did a track walk. Off the lights, I got my usual good start. But I just struggled to get going after that. I can actually say this was my worst race to date. This is something that’s been noted and I must work on.

“Race 4: After a weekend that basically didn’t go as smoothly as I liked or expected, this lit the fire for the last one before the journey home. I ended in P5 but was with the leading group and only 1.4 seconds off from the leader. So was super happy with this. I finally sort of woke up and set my PB of the weekend with a 1:07.4, which I believe was the second fastest of the weekend.

“I enjoyed the weekend but it was a weekend we learnt from the most. My first wet qualy. My first dry race which ended up full wet, on dry tyres. So, lots to take in. To me, all these new things are another step in the right direction and I’ll carry on giving it my best to get to where I need to be.�

Luca Wilkinson

“The journey begins.

“Qualifying: Saturday morning the weather had turned for the better but the track was still a little damp and we opted to give Luca confidence from the off and ran wets. First ever qualifying and he brought it home in P3 overall and P2 in class

“Race 1: Very nervous but the team did a great job of preparing Luca. The first race start was great and he led Lap 1 (junior class), then the lead changed no less than seven times in the 9-lap race. Unbelievably, Luca crossed the line behind Phil Atkinson to take the Junior Win. Totally blown away.

“Race 2: Starting from P2, Luca had a good start but his teammate Aleisha Layton got out in the lead. Lots of battling saw Luca down in 4th for a time, but took the lead on Lap 3. This didn’t last long and again Luca was shuffled back in the pack. On Lap 7, the back markers worked in his favour, and he took the lead and managed to hold on to finish again, behind Phil to take the TGJC 1st place. Unbelievable.

“Race 3, Sunday: Well, this was a new ballgame. The rain was well and truly falling, and the track was very wet. Again, a bit nervous, but the team again worked their magic, and the race was on. Luca took a little while to settle and was cautiously building his pace, but this let the two class leaders pull a lead. There was a gap to 3rd and Luca was in a little pack of 4. He kept his head down and worked his way up to 4th and set about catching 3rd. He took 3rd on the penultimate lap and kept it to the line so a well-fought 3rd with lots of learning done.

“Race 4: Unfortunately, this is where things went a little bit Pete Tong. Forming up for the race start, the bike suddenly cut out – despite the help of the Marshalls and the awesome Aaron Lilly there was no starting the bike and the ups and downs of racing really hit home, so a DNS.

“If someone had offered us the results we had before the weekend we would have never believed them and would have taken it 100%. So proud of Luca and all he has achieved. Lots of hard work to be done and no doubt the TGJC class is going to be incredible, but we have loved our first experience and can’t wait to see how the season pans out.�

Aleisha Layton

“Race 1: I got a good start, but it took me a couple of laps to settle in. Managed to bring it home in P3 (with the top three split by just 0.3 seconds).

“Race 2: off to a better start and lead most of the race, then we hit some back markers. Some worked for me and some went against me. But another solid P3 in another very close race, which was a great eye opener for me!

“Race 3, Sunday: this is an interesting one! This was my first ever wet race, so I was a bit nervous. I have ridden in the wet on track days, but very limited time, due to my late start to motorcycle racing (last year was the first time I rode a bike). Anyway, I did my best and brought it home in P10 in class, which give us something to work with.

“Race 4: with my not-so-good Race 3, this put me back to P19 on the grid. Conditions were damp but drying fast which I like, so I was determined to do the best race possible and managed to bring it home in P4 in class which put a smile back on my face and was absolutely amazing.

“Overall, an amazing weekend with a lot of info to build on and move in the right direction, this round has really motivated me to succeed.�