DAVE Brook proved that track knowledge is nine-tenths of the battle when he secured two podium finishes in the sixth round of the Thundersport GB Superstock series at Rockingham.

The Bradford motor cyclist qualified fourth in 1min 25.8sec, which was only 1.1sec off pole position, set by British Superbike rider Kyle Wilks, and just 0.1sec behind championship leader Alex Heaton.

However, air temperatures of 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35C) and track temperatures of 122 degrees Fahrenheit (50C) meant that Brook's tyres degraded much quicker than normal.

The Clayton Heights man admitted: "I usually run the same tyres in race one as in qualifying as they have done little mileage but, due to the very aggressive and slippery circuit, I had some real grip problems in the race, where I was scrapping for positions when I really should have been clear further up the track.

"This resulted in a crash on the last corner, where I made a lunge for the podium. A lesson was learned as I lost my composure with the frustration of knowing I could go better."

Fortunately, the bike only needed minor repairs that evening, and the following day Brook finished second in race two, posting a 1:25.4 lap, and he came a lonely third in race three, where self preservation kicked in.

Brook concluded: "The weekend was brilliant and I cannot wait for the next round in Anglesey, where I am the lap record holder from the Pre-National 600 Class from last year."