2026 Sat 04 Apr

McAMS Yamaha Wrap Up Donington Park Test in High Spirits

Donington Park Testing

Testing

McAMS Yamaha enjoyed a productive two days of official testing at Donington Park this week, making positive refinements to both their R1 and R9 packages ahead of Round 1 of the 2026 British Superbike Championship (BSB).

For 2026 title contender Brad Ray, the test was both experimental and encouraging, with the Superbike squad continuing to evaluate a variety of set-ups and components in an effort to unlock a greater feeling. Ray ended Friday’s opening day firmly inside the top three as the top Yamaha rider in the classification, posting a fastest lap of 1:27.383 and quickly returning to form since his last outing aboard the Yamaha R1 at Andalucía.

Saturday’s three sessions brought more of the same, with the 28-year-old progressing well through the team’s testing programme. The opening session of the second day on track saw Ray improve on his fastest lap, punching in a 1:27.638 – he ended the test in fifth overall.

In the Quattro Group British Supersport Championship (BSS), factory-backed Yamaha R9 riders Ben Currie and Harry Truelove also delivered strong showings. Reverting to a base setting after their time in Spain, the pair worked diligently to further develop the all-new package, quickly extracting impressive pace and demonstrating the R9’s proven potential at the circuit.

Currie and Truelove ended Friday second and third respectively in the British Supersport classification, combining for an impressive 80 laps. Currie set a best lap of 1:31.545, while Truelove, the #44 Lincolnshire rider, ended the day with a fastest time of 1:31.572.

Both #61 and #44 riders further improved on their times across Saturday. Truelove showed impressive speed throughout all three sessions, finishing the test in third overall with a fastest lap of 1:31.215.

Currie wrapped up the final day of action with a fastest lap of 1:31.368 – ending the first official test of the season in fourth.

With just over two weeks until the final pre-season test at Oulton Park, the team heads into the she short break with a keen sense of optimism. McAMS Yamaha’s British Superbike and Supersport trio return to action on 21-22 April for two final days of track time before the season opener on the May bank holiday weekend.

Brad Ray

McAMS Yamaha - Rider (British Superbike Championship)

“It’s been a long but positive couple of days trying to extract more performance out of the Yamaha R1. The bike is already strong, as we know, but these tests are always about squeezing that extra bit out of its potential. We found a good direction throughout the test, so we’ll relay everything and return to Oulton Park to pick up where we left off. Thanks to the boys at McAMS Yamaha for all of the hard work over the last two days.”

Ben Currie

McAMS Yamaha - Rider (Quattro Group British Supersport)

“We’ve managed to tick off a load more laps throughout the last two days which is the important thing. We’re strengthening our understanding of how to ride the Yamaha R9, and we’re heading in a good direction in everything we’ve been experimenting with. It’s been a good couple of days working with the guys at McAMS Yamaha, time now to reset and refocus before returning to testing at Oulton Park in a couple of weeks’ time.”

Harry Truelove

McAMS Yamaha - Rider (Quattro Group British Supersport)

“It’s been a really positive test for us. My feeling on the Yamaha R9 is amazing, and it’s coming very naturally to me at this point – we found a really nice feeling from the first session yesterday, so the last two days have just been about refining that even more. To end the test in such a strong way gives me a lot of confidence heading into the Oulton Park test and Round 1. Thanks a lot to the McAMS Yamaha guys for all of their efforts, excited to get back in a couple of weeks.”

Steve Rodgers

McAMS Yamaha, Team Principal

“It’s been a busy test for both sides of the garage. The weather conditions have been challenging to navigate, but we’re here to test and we’ve managed to get through a lot of things. Brad made some encouraging steps forward aboard the Yamaha R1, and we’ve managed to progress nicely through our testing programme. We’ve got another test in a couple of weeks, and we’re heading there with confidence. The first test around a BSB track for the R9 was also really positive, the boys have done a great job in further adapting to the package, and they’re both looking strong as we head towards Round 1.”