Albacete World Endurance, 28th & 29th June 2003

Trackdaze 11 Junior
By Team Trackdaze 11 Junior
September 17 2003

After a torrid start to the 2003 season, when his British Supersport Championship team fell through, Nick Pilborough, one of Britain’s brightest young hopes, was left hunting for a ride.

However, everything came right when he contacted the Trackdaze World Endurance Team about a ride for the following season. Nick was naturally offered a test and flew out to Spain to join the team, who were preparing for the Spanish round of the championship.

It was to turn out very differently than expected when Nick, having never ridden on the notoriously demanding Spanish circuit, lapped faster than the team’s regular riders. After a whole day of testing Nick had come to grips quickly with the Suzuki GSX-R1000 K3 and the Dunlop slicks. He had this to say:

“Today was very good for me. The team gave me a very well prepared bike, so all I had to do was concentrate on the job at hand. Of course I was there to prove a point, and was pleased with the times I set.”

The team were impressed with how quickly Nick adapted, and offered him the ride with them on the spot.

With the exception of one pit stop, the race ran like clockwork, and the junior team, consisting entirely of riders under 25, ran a solid tenth. Having been the top junior team all season they were just pipped at the post in the dying minutes by the more experienced Phase One Junior team. Despite this the junior team maintained their seventh place in the World Championship table.

Nick said of the race: “That was tough. Running near on World Superbike times here for four hours each was not easy. It’s a huge buzz to get my first World Championship points, and I’m looking forward to the next race where I will be better prepared. This is a new team but they are very professional and give the other riders and I what is necessary to get the job done. It’s been a pleasure to ride here.”

Pilborough’s efforts did not go unnoticed. He scored the front page of the WorldEndurance.com website. Now Nick and the rest of the Trackdaze team head for Austria’s A1-Ring next for the 6-hour event.

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Regards,
Nick Pilborough and Team Trackdaze 11 Junior