Local bike racer Josh Elliott had a fantastic first round of the British National Superstock Championship at Brands Hatch in Kent aboard the GA/ Homer Racing Alzhemier’s Society, Socialites Kawasaki.

Off the back of a very successful test in Spain in late March, the teenager hit the ground running with his newly merged team, remaining in the top three on the time sheets all weekend. This returned him his first front row start in the series with a time below the existing lap record.

Elliott made a decent start off the line in the race but being on the inside against the steepest line up the hill towards turn one hurt him, as he lost some places.

He recovered into fifth on lap one and immediately started to make further progress. He put on a stunning charge in the early laps through to second place, passing official Honda team rider Jason O’Halloran in an effort to make up time on the runaway leader Danny Buchan.

In doing so he smashed the class lap record, recording a time of 46.385 seconds, but the charge cooked his tyres and he was unable to maintain that unbelievable pace. Mid race he came under pressure from O’Halloran who eventually made a hard pass at Druids.

He also came under pressure from a number of previous race winners but changed his style to cope with the failing grip to secure a safe third place and final podium position.

Speaking after his podium celebrations the Ballinamallard racer commented: “I’m simply delighted to come away from here with not only my first podium in the Stock 1000 class but the icing on the cake is a new lap record. I never thought that was on the cards at all but the team have given me a great bike which suits my style. I really appreciate the effort put in by both Gene Adam and Tony Homer along with all the team sponsors for making this possible. I hope I can now build on this weekend and establish myself as a consistent front runner.” Gene Adam added: “I am delighted with the result and with Josh breaking the lap record. As the season progresses I am looking forward to him achieving what I know he’s capable of.” Tony Homer stated: “I am very impressed with how Josh had adapted to the new team, showing his true potential in the most competitive class within the British Championship. I am very happy within myself to see that Josh has broken the lap record at Brands Hatch Indy circuit. Further may I add, when Josh arrived back to the podium enclosure, for a few seconds I had a lump in my throat. This young man has already repaid my faith in him.” His team hope to test at Oulton Park later this week in preparation for the next round which will be held at the Cheshire circuit over the early May bank holiday weekend.