Mallory Park British Superbikes: Electronics development costs James Ellison

James Ellison’s decision to test a new traction control system on his number two bike during practice and qualifying for the Mallory Park round of British Superbikes cost the former MotoGP rider dear come race day.

Ellison has two machines in the Hydrex Honda squad – one with HRC kit electronics that he’s used all season and the second with Pectel electronics as used by the Ten Kate squad in WSB.

After testing the second bike at Cadwell Park the week before Mallory, Ellison opted to give the Pectel machine a go for practice and qualifying.

But starting from a lowly 15th on the grid was enough to make the Kendal rider revert back to his number one bike for the races where he finished fifth and 11th.

He said: “The first race was really good but I would have rather had a good race two. 

“In the second race I should have been higher up as I made the right decision on the tyres but I was too far down the grid so I’m just really frustrated. 

“It took me a while to get some heat into the tyre and then I kept coming up behind other riders and kept getting held up. 

“I think testing the traction control put us in a bad position but it was my decision, so it’s my fault. 

“I’m disappointed for the guys in the team as well, but I’m hoping to go well at Oulton Park and hopefully go one better and get a win.”

Ellison’s Crrew Chief, Mick Shanley, was hugely impressed with his rider’s performance in race one, especially considering he’d not ridden round Mallory for four years.

He said: “James has had to get his head around riding here again, and he’s never been here with the new chicanes until now.

“One small mistake can really hurt your lap times around here, but by the middle section of race one the only person lapping faster than James was Skakey.

“James has found it difficult getting his lines right around here, too – we pulled him up about his exit to Charlie’s chicane because he wasn’t running out to the edge of the track like everyone else.

“But to go from 15th to fifth in race one – we’ll take that!”