Cadwell Park Wild Card Rider
Cadwell Park, holding area. Nerves are buzzing, and to add to the fun, it’s raining. I’m on a Triumph Daytona 660, prepped to perfection by Macadam Triumph Racing. We've got full Metzeler wets and softened Bitubo suspension for better feel, plus a gentler throttle map and less engine braking. This bike started as a stock road machine, but with race parts and on-the-fly adjustable engine and throttle maps, it’s all race-ready now.
The triple motor is standard but with revised fuelling for the Akrapovic exhaust. In wet mode, the 660 is smooth, torquey, and quick—but not too quick, so I can focus on the track. After FP1 and FP2, we’re sitting 14th in the wet. Not bad for the oldest man on the grid by far.
Day two, perfect conditions for qualifying. The Daytona feels natural, easy, and forgiving. You don’t have to scream it like a 600cc inline-four—the torque kicks in from 4,000rpm and peaks at 7,000rpm. It’s comfy for a ‘small’ bike, and because it’s not terrifyingly fast, I can plan my lines. Maybe I’m having too much fun, though, as I end up at the back of the grid. Fewer wheelies and showing off next time.
Twelve laps, starting from the back, live on TV, with Europe’s fastest young racers? No pressure! After a lap, the red flag comes out—a big crash on the Mountain, thankfully everyone is ok. We reset for a 10-lap race, which suits me as I’m double the age of most of the riders. The Triumph is in its element, loving the corner speed. Braking later, no fade after 10 laps, and the setup—Bitubo kit, standard calipers, HEL lines, Brembo discs—is working beautifully, and nearly standard.
Despite the chaos, I’m having a blast. The Daytona is a dream to thrash, and easy. I’m gutted when the chequered flag waves—we finish 17th, but what a ride! Not bad, just outside the points
Verdict: The pace was fierce, but the bike made it feel effortless. What PHR, Triumph, and Macadam Racing have achieved is seriously impressive—turning a friendly, stock Daytona 660 into a British Championship-winning machine with Richard Cooper at the helm. It's a real nod to Triumph that the 660 can set blistering lap times with a nearly standard engine, frame, swingarm, wheels, and brakes.
Tweaking the Daytona 660 from a road bike into a Championship winner just shows its untapped potential. I’m already itching for another ride—North West 200 next year, maybe? Hello, Triumph? Why aren't they picking up my calls?
