AMESBURY'S Mark Piper rubbed shoulders with the World Superbike riders after the latest round of the British Superstock was a support race at their meeting at Donington Park, writes CRAIG HOBBS.

The round is put in place due to the British Superstock series not travelling to Assen, Holland.

Weather was very unpredictable and with minimal track time due to a busy timetable, Piper did all he could putting in some great laps during the free practice session late on Friday and after racing there earlier this season they had data and settings to improve on.

Saturday saw the British Superstock 600 class go out for their qualifying session and on board his Yamaha R6, Piper put in his best laps so far in front of the world’s finest Superbike riders.

This earned the talented rider his best qualifying this season, 13th place and he also beat his current lap record by over a second.

A late Sunday afternoon race and Piper and the Pied Piper Racing team were ready to put in their best attack yet after a positive set up of the bike had been achieved.

Lights out and a bad start saw the 23-year-old university student dropped back to 18th position, but he knew he had the pace to claw back into the points and lapping a second faster than those in front he found himself in 14th position and battling to gain his 13th place back.

However, a final dart into the second to last corner saw him lose the front end crashing out of the race.

Disappointing for the family team who fund a lot of it themselves, with help from the local Salisbury Motorcycle Club.

Piper said after the race: "We had the pace and know we can be up there scoring points, a great team effort and we are developing the bike and my riding style to get all we can out of it, positive for Snetterton.”

Piper and the team will next be competing at Snetterton Circuit on the June 15 to 17.