Queen of speed Jenny Tinmouth is hoping to get her MCE British Superbike Championship season into top gear as the series roars into Oulton Park this weekend, writes Kevin Hughes.

Tinmouth has been given the biggest opportunity of her career this season – a full-time ride with the factory-supported and multiple title-winning Honda Racing team.

The Chester-born racer, the only lady rider in the series, had a tough start to her 2015 campaign at Donington Park, but is feeling optimistic ahead of the Oulton Park event after finishing both races at Kent’s Brands Hatch circuit.

Speaking at an official test session before this weekend’s third round at the picturesque Little Budworth circuit, Tinmouth, from Ellesemere Port, admitted it had taken time to come to terms with her factory-supported machine.

She said: “There so much more power and it’s a whole lot lighter than my own bike. I suppose it’s like going from a good rally car to a F1 car. The difference is amazing.

“I’ve had a bad start to the year but I’m glad I got those Donnington crashes out of the way.

“It was all about getting used to the bike. And while Donnington went the wrong way for us we got the two Brands Hatch races under our belts and I feel more relaxed.

“The job now is to get faster and smoother. I want to see a real improvement in last year’s lap times and that will hopefully see me higher up the grid and finishing back somewhere near the points.

“It’s so tough and the standard is so high. I certainly don’t get any favours because I’m a woman. If anything, being a girl makes it even tougher.”

Jenny Tinmouth during an official practice session ahead of Oulton Park
Jenny Tinmouth during an official practice session ahead of Oulton Park

Tinmouth added: “I do feel really good ahead of Oulton Park, especially now I have had some more time on the bike.

“The team have been amazing and we are all looking forward to the next round to build on what we have achieved.

“I enjoyed the Oulton Park test as it’s my local track and one of my favourites. Oulton Park is one of the hardest tracks on the calendar because it is so technical and physically demanding.

“It’s a real challenge for the riders but it’s tons of fun because of that. It feels like a real roller-coaster and I can’t wait to get back out there.

“It is a long season and we want to keep building and moving forward at every event. It is a tough championship but if we can keep plugging away at it, taking it a few steps at a time, then I will be happy.”