ELVINGTON motorbike racing ace Sam Holme has finally enjoyed some luck in the British Superbike (BSB) Championship.

After a difficult start to the season - including a high-speed crash at a washed-out Donington and a race-ending collision at Brands Indy - Holme got himself back on track with a 15th-placed finish at a sunny Oulton Park.

The 23-year-old went into the race effectively with a blank canvas, having changed suspension manufacturer to current sponsors MUPO Suspension, but he found his feet in the warm-up on one of the most difficult circuits on the calendar.

Holme went into qualifying in 22nd knowing he had plenty to do, including shaving at least two seconds off his time - a target he achieved in the first two laps before reaching a frustrating plateau and qualifying 20th.

The warm-up was cut short by a red flag after just three laps, but Holme's 14th-placed finish and successful alterations to the bike gave him confidence going into the main race.

In 28-degree heat in front of over 40,000 spectators, Holme was in control, despite not making the best of starts, biding his time on the 14-lap race as he knew he had the pace to catch the leading pack.

However, he lost his momentum when the safety car came out due to a crash just before the midway point and, when the race got back underway, he had no grip on either tyre. He rode out a few highsides - a violent spin on the bike's long axis - to claim his first championship point.

Holme said: "On another day, those highside moments would have had me off, so I was quite lucky to hang onto it.

"Although I thought we could have battled for a top-12 spot had it not been for a lack of grip - which we think was down to the rear tyre overheating - 15th is still a good result, so it is certainly something to build on for the rest of the season.

"We are a work in progress, but we’re getting there. Onwards now to Donington Park (this Friday to Sunday) for the World Superbike round which will be mint - I can’t wait."