A MOTORBIKE rider from Falmouth said sitting on the other side of the fence at a national level race was an experience he wants more of.

Forest Dunn made his debut in the Superstock 1000 Championships earlier this month when the series featuring some of Britain’s best riders along with bikers from Australia, South Africa and the USA came to Thruxton in Wiltshire.

Riding for Jones Dorling Racing, the 26-year-old qualified 38th fastest for the race on the 2.4 mile circuit.

He found himself settling into a good rhythm during the race which saw bikes reach speeds of 170mph, but sadly just one lap before the chequered flag, a crash saw him forced out.

A dive up the inside by another rider at a chicane pushed Dunn off the track and unable to avoid clipping a barrier and tumbling off his bike.

He was able to walk away with no major injuries or damage to the bike and said he enjoyed the experience at Thruxton.

Dunn said: “I didn’t expect it to be as relaxed as it was, but I didn’t feel out of place either.

“My main goal was to qualify for one of those races and I’ve done that now.

“It is one of the toughest class not only in the national level but also internationally.

“The pure speed of the guys was quite amazing.

“The racing was very clean. You were getting people passing, but there wasn’t the argy bargy you get in a club race.”

He went onto say he was annoyed at not finishing the race when he had got so close to the finish.

But he knows looking back he made some really good progress.

“It was devastating to crash near the end and I did beat myself up a bit about the crash, but it was more the guy in front of me who made a mistake,” he said.

“Looking back at what I did, I was four seconds off the lap record set that weekend so I’m pleased with that. I think I did well, but I always think I can do better as well and next time I go there I will do better.

“I’ve made great leaps and bounds and it wouldn’t be possible without my sponsors including Barry and Dolina Hughes, Craig Shirlaws at Shirlaws Kawasaki, Jennifer Duffee at Elite Mentality, Jones Dorling Racing and everyone else, there are so many to thank.”

Dunn is now set on riding in the championship’s next round, which takes place at the iconic Donington Park racetrack on September 7, as he continues to build his career.

He said: “I think it will be harder to qualify at Donington, but I know the circuit fairly well so I’ll be alright.

“I’ve got a lot more to learn still and there’s a lot more to come, but I’m not going to stop.”

“My main goal is to do the Isle of Man TT one day, but I need to hone my skills on the short circuit first before even thinking about going there.”