Heckles tests at Mallory

Mark Heckles rode his new CBR600FS for the first time on March 19 at Mallory Park after driving to Belgium to pick it up and pay for it just five days before.

The bike was bought for him by his dad and close friend Chris Walker, after Rumi Honda failed to secure enough money for him to compete in World Superbikes.

Heckles will ride the bike in at least the first four rounds of British Supersport to allow him to keep racing until he gets a new team contract.

Heckles was quickly up to speed and clocking times between 55 and 56 seconds, despite not having ridden a bike for the last six months. It is difficult to compare this to any other Supersport times because Mallory has added a new chicane before the Devil’s Elbow turn since last season.

Heckles told MCN: ” After six months of not riding, the bike is better than I am at the moment. I felt really rusty for the first session but once I had made some small changes to the setup it all started coming back. I am really fired up about the British season and although I have only got one bike I am gagging to get out there and start racing. ”

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