RAF Lossiemouth aircraft technician Kenny Macleod hails victory in British Superbike meeting at Donington Park in qualifier for ROKiT OFF BMW F900R Cup
He’s a ‘True Hero’ after winning a British superbikes race on the iconic Donington Park circuit.
RAF Lossiemouth aircraft technician Kenny Macleod won a qualifying race on the former grand prix venue, and earned the ‘Rider of the Day’ prize presented by former British Supersport Champion Steve Plater.
Macleod rides in a support race series run at the Bennetts British Superbike meetings on the top motorsport venues around the UK.
The serviceman competes for the True Heroes Racing team, which is the UK’s first and only motorcycle race team formed around wounded, injured, and sick UK service personnel and veterans.
Macleod was racing in the ROKiT OFF BMW F900R Cup, and overcame a mishap in his heat race to speed through for victory in the LCQ (Last Chance Qualifier) event with his best performance yet.
The rider, who hails from Tong on the Isle of Lewis, has been actively representing the RAF Motorsport Association for several years and is a leading light in the Inter-Services Motorcycle Racing Championships.
He impressed on the big stage at Donington Park, where late Formula One legend Ayrton Senna once won the European Grand Prix and where the British Motorcycle Grand Prix was held for many years.
Macleod found his pace in the free practice and qualifying races, finishing 11th and 12th respectively to earn himself a start in sixth place on the grid for the heat race.
Soon he was involved in a three-way battle for fourth place, battling for a full eight laps with eyes on a push for the higher positions - when disaster struck.
“Unfortunately, I got on the power a bit too keenly coming out of the last corner on the last lap and crashed out of fourth place,” he said.
“I was absolutely gutted after what was my best race onboard the BMW so far.”
That failure to finish didn’t mean the end of Macleod’s weekend, as he could still take part in the LCQ, being way back on the grid in 18th at the start.
With a lot of bikes in front of him, the serviceman wasted no time in making progress and a “mega” first lap saw him gain eleven places, and two laps later he was in the top three.
“I then closed the gap to the two in front and sat in behind them and regrouped for a couple of laps while they battled away with each other,” he described.
“With two laps to go I made my move to the front and got my head down setting consecutive fastest laps of the race and taking home first place.”
And when he rolled into parc ferme, he met ex-British superbike race winner and cup ambassador Plater who handed over the accolade of best rider of the day.
Macleod’s breath-taking performance qualified him for the main event, where he finished 12th out of a field of 40 riders.
“Despite the disappointment of crashing from fourth, this was definitely my best BSB weekend so far and one to now build on,” he said.
He was back in action at the weekend at another iconic venue, Brands Hatch, where he finished 11th in his heat to again qualify him for the main event, this time coming in 24th in a very competitive field.
Macleod thanked his True Heroes Racing team for all their hard work, and to his sponsors O’mac Construction Ltd, Breedons Hebrides, Duncan Mackay & Sons and Woodys Express for backing his journey this season.
Anyone who may be willing to sponsor Macleod for future events can contact him through Facebook or instagram at KM36 Racing.