TEESSIDE’S Paul Veazey is revved up and ready to go this afternoon after bouncing back from injury. The 21-year-old, from Middlesbrough, has been plagued in recent months by a broken wrist and then a badly damaged shoulder. But after a month’s break in the Metzeler Racetec National Superstock Championship series, the 2005 Cup runner-up believes he is ready to score his first top 10 finish. “I’m feeling so much fitter, stronger and just more relaxed with the bike and everything at the moment,” the Krytal Racing Space Air rider told Burning Rubber. “It was all going pretty bad early this year, then I had a couple of crashes and wound up with these injuries and it really hampered my progress. I needed a break and I’ve had it. Now I finally feel I’m in a position to really push.” This weekend Veazey has an added incentive as the series heads to Donington Park. His team-mate, 2005 champ Lee Jackson, has been declared unfit to race after a spectacular crash in France last week where his Yamaha disintegrated after he was taken out by another rider . . . an accident he was lucky to walk away from. Sidelined with a chipped ankle, and with another rider, Kelvin Reilly, standing in for him, it means Veazey is effectively team leader . . . something which has boosted his confidence. “I think the knowledge that I’m not going to be coming home miles behind Lee has helped me in some respects,” he said. “I have a team-mate who I know I can beat. Lee is so good that I’ve always known I’d never get very close, but having someone who I can run with is good for me. “I’m determined there is no way Kelvin is going to beat me this weekend. “He’s a good rider and I’d say we’re pretty much evenly matched, so it’s a challenge and one I’m very much looking forward to.” Veazey starts today’s race from 22nd spot. Reilly meanwhile will line-up in 30th. CHRIS BURNS is praying for rain ahead of this afternoon’s Superstock race at Donington Park. The former MotoGP rider has been showing strong form during the weekend’s wet sessions, having held provisional pole after first qualifying on Friday. But yesterday’s dry session didn’t suit the new Team STP Racing MV Agusta machine, leaving Burns in 10th spot. And with the forecast of possible rain at the Derbyshire track today, the 27-year-old, from Newcastle, is praying for the same sort of downpour which has so far blighted the 2007 season. “I need it to rain. In the wet I know I can win,” he said. “The bike is still new and in development really compared to the more established marques like the Yamahas and the Suzukis, but in the wet it goes with the best of them. “Should it rain then I know I can make a good start and hopefully get myself up to the sharp end in the first lap. I need a good result, both for myself and for the team, because so much hard work has gone into it. “At the moment it’s just about playing a waiting game, but if anyone has any good ideas on how we can make the heavens open at 1.30pm this afternoon I’m definitely interested in hearing them!” | 
