Steve dreaming of Oulton Park glory

May 2 2008 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

STEVE BROGAN is currently driving on the dreamland superhighway. After over a decade of hard graft, the Liverpool-born motorcyclist is leading the way in the British Supersport Championship after a clean-sweep in the opening round.

To make matters even better for the 27-year-old, this weekend he takes his title challenge to his home circuit of Oulton Park as he aims to build on his leading start.

Brogan is racing for the HM Plant Honda team in both the Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport Championship and the Metzeler National Superstock 1000 Championship. And he got his season off to a winning start two weeks ago by claiming a unique double at Thruxton.

He said: “It has been the perfect start – to not only get pole position in the Superstock, but to then follow that up with wins in both Supersport and Superstock was a dream come true.

“I didn’t think I’d get a double like that all season, but now I’ve achieved that anything’s possible.

“I knew I had the best team available and the best prepared bike, but when you’re out on the track anything can happen – so to be leading at this early stage is superb and hopefully it goes someway to repaying the faith shown in me by the Honda team.”

Steve now goes into the weekend’s third meeting – the first at Brands Hatch was called off due to snow – on his local circuit of Oulton Park hoping to repeat the Thruxton double.

He said: “Oulton Park is probably my favourite circuit. Not just because it is my home track, but also because it has a bit of everything; ups and downs, blind corners, chicanes – and of course I’ll also have plenty of family, friends and sponsors watching.

“I hope to work hard in practice and qualifying and get a good set-up and be on the front row of the grid for both races – that’s the aim. I’m not stupid, so if I can’t win then I want podiums and points, hopefully more points than my nearest competitor.”

Steve, who was 1997 British Superteen champion and 1999 National 600 champion, is hoping 2008 will be his year after finishing runner-up in British Superstock Championship in 2007.

“The real challenge will be to repeat what we did at Thruxton week in week out and that’s going to be a tough job. But every weekend we need to go to a different track and aim for those wins,” added Brogan.

“I feel I’ve silenced a lot of critics who maybe didn’t think I had it in me to run at the front of both classes. I’ve worked hard to get here and I’m going to make the most of this opportunity. I want to repay the faith that Neil Tuxworth had in signing me and the Thruxton wins are the first instalmentŠof that.”

The Liverpool-based rider gets plenty of time on track during an event weekend, racing in both the Supersport and Superstock 1000 classes, but knows that he needs to work hard this season to finish at the front.

But for now, his main goal is impressing his loyal supporters on his local track in the hope that Honda will help him fulfil his long-term goal of racing in the British Superbike Championships.

He added: “I’ve a good record at Oulton Park, so there’s no reason why I can’t continue with my dream. I think I’ve shown that I’m capable of challenging for both Championships. I’ve worked so hard throughout my career – by self-funding much of my career – and so this is an opportunity I can build on to get to my ultimate goal of competing in the British Superbike Championship.”

Tickets for the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Oulton Park this Bank Holiday weekend (3/4/5 May) are available to purchase on the gate and cost £10 for practice day (Saturday), £12 for qualifying day (Sunday) and £28 for raceday (Monday) for adults. Children aged 12 and under get in free. For more information call 0870 950 9000 or visit www.oultonpark.co.uk