New Tyco BMW engine spec gives up on Laverty
Michael Laverty says his Tyco BMW squad were too late to prevent its new specification of engine from expiring in race two at Brands Hatch which ended his difficult race weekend.
The Northern Irish rider headed into the seventh round of the MCE British Superbike championship with momentum from his race two win at Thruxton but leaves the Kent circuit with just two points added to his tally after retiring with a blown engine.
Laverty says he had concerns about the engine, which the team had been running in a new specification since Snetterton, at the end of race one Brands Hatch but after delays they didn't have time for an engine switch.
Having struggled for pace in the opening stages of the second race, Laverty's bike expired after 13 laps and dropped oil on track prompting a safety car and a swift clean-up by track marshals.
"It took until race one to realise the bike was really flat and the engine had gone and then it totally let go," Laverty said. "It was our weekend ruined by not identifying we had an engine problem soon enough.
"I wanted to change it but we didn't have time after the delay we didn't have time to switch motors and unfortunately it let go. It was really sluggish and didn't pull which is why I was struggling for pace. We will speak to the BMW guys and hopefully get some answers before Cadwell.
"It stems back to the engine spec change. I did the Snetterton test on my old specification of engine and topped the test but then came back and couldn't do the same lap time with the new spec. It all adds up but it is a bit late now.
"We will go back to the old engine spec for Cadwell and hopefully that will show some answers."
Despite the dismal results Laverty has held on to fourth place and an all-important Showdown spot but now has just a 15-point gap between himself and nearest rival outside of the Showdown places James Ellison.
"I'm a bit frustrated because after Thruxton I gave myself a cushion but this weekend I've only scored two points so I am now back in the danger zone again," he said. "We will come back at Cadwell and hopefully get some strong points there and not give us a pressure situation at Oulton Park. We need to make that cut otherwise it will be a disaster if we don't."
