PURITON motorcycle racer TJ Toms has begun his challenge for the 2018 National Superstock 600 Championship with the opening race at Donington Park, writes Alan Heal.

This is his first full season in the Stock 600 Class having only age qualified at 16 towards the end of last season.

Toms said: “Last year gave me an idea of how tough this class is going to be and, although I know most of the circuits well, this will be the first time on a larger capacity machine.”

Light drizzle and a wet track during the first of two practice sessions prevented the riders posting quick lap times, although Toms posted the fifth fastest time in the tricky conditions.

The weather had not improved the following morning and Toms again took to the track in wet conditions for final practice and was running well, finishing the session in 15th.

Changes to the bike set-up and with a dry track, TJ immediately impressed in qualifying but was only able to complete five laps before the exhaust headers came loose on his Kawasaki ZX-6R race bike.

Toms said: “Unfortunately, I could only manage a handful of laps before bad luck struck and I slipped from fifth fastest down to 21st.”

The track temperature was just five degrees at the start of the race and, for a tyre to work efficiently, it has to get up to around 75 degrees but, with 12 laps at racing speeds, the tyres will likely reach a maximum heat of 60 degrees which will add pressure in the race with wet and slippery conditions.

Toms made a great start and had made up six places by the end of the first lap but, on lap two, his rear brake seized and he dropped back to 21st but, with a mixture of skill and determination, he fought back to cross the line in 19th.

“I was really confident going into the race and when the rear brake problems started I had to dig deep and just bring the bike home safely,” said Toms.

“My bike is the oldest machine on the grid and I’m competing against more experienced riders in large teams, so this is going to be a tough year but I’m up for the challenge.”

Toms will be back in action at Brands Hatch on April 15.

You can follow his and the team’s progress online at tjtoms.com, on Twitter and Facebook.