2026 Wed 22 Apr

Nine Days and Counting: McAMS Yamaha End Oulton Park Test With Confidence

Oulton Park Park Testing

Testing

McAMS Yamaha completed two highly productive days of track action at Oulton Park this week, making significant strides in refining both the Yamaha R1 and R9 packages ahead of the 2026 season opener.

The second R&G Official Test of 2026 saw championship contender Brad Ray return to the R1 with clear intent. The 28-year-old set the pace from the outset, topping the opening two sessions on Day 1 and becoming the first rider to break into the 1:33s, posting a fastest lap of 1:33.921. After a relentless day of experimenting with various components and making the most of every available minute on track, Ray and the team rounded out Tuesday in second place overall.

Day 2 brought more of the same. Ray again topped the opening session, immediately improving on his Tuesday benchmark with a 1:33.777. He went one better still in the final session, clocking a 1:33.618 to close out the two-day test third overall – a strong platform from which to launch his title challenge next weekend.

For the Yamaha R9 Quattro Group British Supersport pairing of Ben Currie and Harry Truelove, the Oulton Park test was not without its challenges. Both riders continued to build their understanding of the all-new package, focusing on improving overall feel and consistency around the 2.69-mile circuit. They ended the test seventh and eighth respectively, finding encouraging rhythm and establishing a solid foundation ahead of the opening round of the 2026 season.

With a long winter now firmly behind them, the 2026 British Superbike and Quattro Group British Supersport Championship is just nine days away, set to be held next May Bank Holiday weekend (May 2-4).

Having worked through a thorough testing programme at both Donington Park and Oulton Park over recent weeks, the team heads into the season opener with cautious optimism – ready to push their respective packages to the limit across a full weekend of sessions and a triple-header of races.

Brad Ray

McAMS Yamaha - Rider (British Superbike Championship)

“After four days of testing on UK soil, I’m really looking forward to getting back to business at Round 1 next weekend. We made some important changes to the bike over the last two days, which has been crucial in gathering the information we need heading into the 2026 season. After today, we’ll go away, regroup, and come back with everything we’ve learned ready to push hard at Round 1.”

Ben Currie

McAMS Yamaha - Rider (Quattro Group British Supersport)

“These two days of testing at Oulton Park have been very valuable for myself and the team. We hit the UK tracks on the R9 for the first time at Donington Park and began working in a direction, but the weather threw up some hurdles. These last two days in the nicer conditions gave us the chance to try a lot, back-to-back a few of the set-ups from Donington, and really start to build a rhythm. I would have liked to be closer to the front at this stage, but it’s early days with the R9 project and we’re certain there’s much more to come. I’m well up for the season opener next weekend – we’ll focus on dissecting our efforts and see where it takes us.”

Harry Truelove

McAMS Yamaha - Rider (Quattro Group British Supersport)

“The last couple of days at Oulton Park have been good. The track is so different to anywhere else we’ve ridden previously, so it’s been important to get out here, test, and gather information around a circuit with these characteristics. It’s been a tough couple of days, but I feel like we’ve made good progress and we leave feeling positive. We head into Round 1 with the aim of being strong and in the mix.”

Steve Rodgers

McAMS Yamaha, Team Principal

“It’s been a good couple of days for the guys here at Oulton Park. Brad is happy with the direction we’ve taken throughout the test and feels confident heading into next weekend’s opener. The lads worked incredibly hard to cover as much ground as possible across these final two days, and we’re hopeful that groundwork will pay dividends come Round 1. Ben and Harry are continuing to adapt well to the Yamaha R9 package. The bike hasn’t yet reached its full potential, but we’re confident in the direction we’re heading and will arrive at Round 1 with a clear picture of what to expect. We’re all looking forward to getting back out there next weekend for a proper taste of competition.”