 Peter Hickman is in his second year in British Superbikes, with the Hawk Kawasaki team. We caught up with Peter at Brands Hatch, the opening round of the 2007 season, before qualifying and on his 20th birthday.
Well, I suppose I should start by saying 'Happy Birthday'.
Thank you very much!
Is this a good place to spend your birthday or would you rather be elsewhere?
No, I love racing, this what I live and breathe. It should hopefully be a good day, we'll find out in an hour or two!
No drinks tonight though obviously!
No, well I'm tee-total anyway so it doesn't make any difference to me. I tend to be a bit wild anyway apparently - so I've been told. So I don't need the alcohol!
Probably wise then. So how's things going so far this season? Obviously it's early days at the moment.
The bike's handling really well. I've just got a few minor problems that I need to sort out and then I think, overall, I've got a very good package. The engine's really good, really strong and the Dunlop tyres are really good and strong. We haven't had a lot of testing which is our main problem at the minute, so everyone's so far ahead with their riding and what they're doing with the bike. I think once we're a round or two into the Championship we should be somewhere near.
Has the bike developed much since last year? It's your second year on it now.
Yeah, absolutely. The bike's developed a lot more. All the Hawk lads have been working really hard over the winter. We've now got more power, it's a better power delivery as well. We've got traction control on the bike, we've got anti-wheelie control, we've got anti-backing in control, we've got launch control. So overall the bike package is a lot more developed than what it was last year.
So it's not just a case of jumping on the bike and carrying on where you left off?
No, no, it's a completely different bike, so it takes a different way of riding - which I'm getting used to.
Do you prefer it over last year's model? Is it easier to ride?
I don't know about easier, but we should be getting there. The bike's quite aggressive at the minute so once I've calmed it down a bit we should be alright.
 You were on an older bike last year.
Yeah I rode the '05 bike last year, up until the last round and I jumped on the '06 bike and basically took to it straight away. It was everything I wanted from the '05 bike, so all round it's very good.
You have a new team mate this year in Scott Smart. He's been around quite a long time, so have you been able to learn anything from him?
Yeah, absolutely. Scott's a really good guy. He's got so much experience with him, he's done all sorts. He's done Grands Prix, he's done World Superbikes, he's done British Superbikes. We talk a lot. I get on with Scott really well, which always helps. We relay all our information between each other so it's really good, although so far at this weekend I'm beating him so I don't think he's too happy about that, but we'll have to wait and see!
There's a long way to go. Any particular circuits you're looking forward to this year?
All of them! As long as I'm riding I don't really mind. I enjoy every circuit - every circuit has fantastic corners as far as I'm concerned. It really doesn't matter where we go. Even Darley Moor I enjoy going round. If anyone knows where Darley Moor is, it's definitely nothing like Silverstone.
So you just enjoy riding bikes.
Yeah, absolutely. I really don't mind - as long as I can ride a bike I'm not fussed.
Well thank you Peter. Good luck in qualifying and good luck for the weekend.
Okay, thank you very much. |