MOTOR SPORT: STU WILSON will ride through the pain barrier as he gears up to thrill his fans at Oulton Park this weekend.
The Crewe race ace will have to be lifted on to his Suzuki GSXR 1000 after damaging ligaments near his fibula and breaking a finger at Brands Hatch earlier this month.
The 24-year-old is in his first full season in the British Superstock series and had previously led the opening round at Silverstone before suffering a dramatic 120mph crash.
But although he had to miss last weekend's meeting at Snetterton, he says nothing would prevent him from competing at Oulton Park.
He said: 'I'll still be sore but the medics have said it is okay and although my damaged fingers mean I cannot operate the clutch or brakes as well as I would like, I've had intensive physio and I'm looking to be competitive. I wouldn't miss Oulton Park for the world.'
Wilson, who is being backed by German power tools manufacturer Metabo this year, is one of a number of talented young riders who have had accidents in a dramatic opening month of the British Superstock series.
With so many desperate to prove themselves, the racing authorities decided to intervene in an attempt to make the racing safer.
Wilson explained: 'The standard is very high and people like myself have probably been pushing too hard to make an impact. There are 80 riders in the Superstock class but the first 15 are top-class riders who have competed in the Superbikes and Super-sport series before and so there have been a few accidents with guys going all out to compete with them.
'There was uproar in the paddock. So as of now, they've split the Super-stock series into two with the top 30 riding in the existing category and the rest in a newly-created championship, the National Superstock Cup.
'Safety has to be paramount and the good thing is I have a chance of winning this series. That will be my aim now with the objective of being promoted at the end of the season.
'There will be 10 rounds, starting with last weekend's meeting at Snetterton, and I will be looking to push hard in the remaining nine rounds.'
A former European BMX champion and seven-times club karting title-holder, Wilson believes the new championship will help him revise his approach.
He explained: 'I'll be able to ride with my head instead of my fist! I'll probably enjoy the races more and it will be more beneficial for the sponsors too because I will be finishing the races.
'The start of the season has been a bit of a nightmare for me but I'm really looking forward to Oulton Park. I know the gearing and the tyre requirements for the circuit like the back of my hand and it would be great to get a win at my home track.'
With his supporters cheering him on, Wilson cannot wait to get started.
'It would be great to see a few banners of support and hear the airhorns going!' he said.
Free practice is on Saturday with qualifying on Sunday and the races on Monday.
