With a new bike and a new challenge, it was understandable that everything didn’t go to plan for Bradford motor cyclist David Brook in the opening round of the Thundersport GB Superstock at Brands Hatch.

Having switched from a 600cc bike last year, the 27-year-old from Clayton Heights was still coming to terms with the greater power of his 1000cc Arkoni Ltd Kawasaki ZX10, despite three days of testing at Cartagena in Spain and a track day at Oulton Park, where a crash dented his confidence.

However, with fresh sponsors on board – Brighouse-based fire-rated glazing specialist Arkoni Ltd and fledgling company RFS Engineering – Brook was generally pleased with his first-round display and is targeting a top-six place in the overall standings.

He said: “By and large, I am satisfied with the result from Brands as I know, deep down, I was far from my best.

“I have plenty left to give and I want to improve on my qualifying position at Donington on April 12-13 and push for the top six.

“With the financial burden of going racing drastically reduced this year and a brand new, well-spec’d bike under me, I am positive I can do the business in what is the most competitive road-race class in the country.”

He added: “If all goes to plan, I would like to test the water at British Superbikes later in the year.”

Brook confessed that it took him until the final race day at Brands Hatch to get mentally right after his Oulton Park spill and he qualified 12th in the Superstock, having to get used to picking his way through traffic after being on the front of the grid last year in Motodex Performance First Pre-National 600.

He finished 13th on race day one at Brands Hatch but, shedding a second as he got more familiar with the bike, Brook came eighth and 12th on race day two to be 11th overall.