BSB: Krystal Racing preview

KRYSTAL CHASE SECOND PODIUM AT SNETTERTON

KRYSTAL Racing Space Air head to Snetterton this weekend, gunning for more points and podiums following their successful outing at Oulton Park two weeks ago.

Lee Jackson (22) will be chasing his second podium of the season as the Metzeler Racetec National Superstock Championship makes its annual visit to the fast 1.952mile Norfolk circuit. Meanwhile young team-mate Paul Veazey (33) is gearing up for his favourite track on the racing calendar, and hopes are high he can score his first points of 2007.

Jackson, still riding high from his maiden top three of the season at Oulton a fortnight ago, is sure he can go even better at the green light on Sunday afternoon. After finishing third last time out, the 32-year-old from Lincoln believes he has a package which will work well.

"Last race was the first time I'd actually had the bike working as I wanted it to, and getting the third place was just what I needed. It's really fired me up now for more. I finished the end of last season with a string of podiums and it felt good to be back on there," said the 2005 champ.

"Snetterton is a track where anything can happen, so you really do have to be prepared. I'm sure we can go out there and do even better than we did at Oulton. I'm looking to qualify on the front row and get myself a good start so I am in a strong position from the start. I'm definitely planning another podium, but I've got my eye on the top step this time."

Veazey, who has not had the best of starts to the season, hopes his track record around one of the fastest circuits in the country will serve him well. The 20-year-old from Middlesbrough won his first Superstock Cup race there in 2005, and will be looking for his best result so far this year.

"I like Snet, it's a demanding track as far as speed is concerned but it's always one where I've ridden well. It isn't physically tough but it is fast, and it's without a doubt one of my favourites," he said.

"I've had a bit of a struggle so far this year with set-up and then add to that a run of bad luck, but I'm confident that this weekend could be the turning point for me. My lap times were good when we tested here in March and I'm looking forward to getting out there and getting a decent result."

Team owner Tony Astle expects a good weekend for the small, family-run outfit. "We should do well at Snetterton," he said. "Lee will be fine -- he rides well wherever he goes -- and Paul should be happier too. He likes it there, he's won there before and even though he hasn't had the greatest of starts to the year, he's a good young rider so he should get a good finish in the bag. We're all looking forward to getting out there and seeing what we can achieve."

And Gary Jackson (19) will again be contesting the National Superstock Cup on his Newell Plumbing Krystal Racing Yamaha R1. The 35-year-old finished third in a club race at Snetterton in March, and is hoping to emulate that success this weekend. "I can only go out there and enjoy it, and I'm hoping that I'll be as successful as I was there in March," he said. "I'm enjoying racing again, and I'm confident I can do well on Sunday."

-credit: kr