Round 9 - Teesside Autodrome 16th July

After sleeping outside the track, I awoke to find that about 10 racers had arrived while I was sleeping and taken up most of the tiny Teesside paddock. I grabbed a spot and set up.

Then it was time to find out what the track was like so I walked round it, twice. It’s so ridiculously twist in parts that it should really be used for racing anything with more than 50bhp.

Because nobody had ridden round the track before we got 2 practice sessions and then 2 qualifying races per event. After calculating my tyre situation I decided that 1 qualifying session per event would be enough and promptly got changed and watched the other riders belt round, safe in the knowledge that I would be on the front row with my first qualifying times. This decision was also based on the fact that it was about 100 degrees and I was feeling a bit faint.

From the front row, I got an okay start in the rookie trophy race and was soon in second position. Normally Ben manages to just pull out a few tenths here and a few more there and starts to disappear but at this track I was staying right on him. Then on the run in to the twisty section I got better drive and managed to beat him into the first corner, tight left-hander. I managed to hold him off as he tried to put a move on me in the twisty section and again got good drive onto the back straight. Powering back towards the twisty section I braked hard, set the bike up nicely for the tight left-hander and leant it in.

Half way round this corner there are two rather severe bumps that you just have to ride through. Up until now, the bike had coped with them but this time they unsettled the front enough for it to break traction and down I went, sliding out into the scrub land. I tried to pick up the bike and restart it but it wouldn’t. Another DNF!

I wheeled the bike back to the pits and felt like I was going to collapse. Sweat was dripping from my whole body and I thought it was going to shut down.

As it turns out, it was lucky I didn’t set off again as the crash had loosened the brake banjo bolt and brake fluid had leaked out causing front brake failure. This is when Scott gets his "best friend" award as he nonchalantly started to fix the brake. Together we bled the brake with new fluid until it was back to normal. I had missed the clubmans trophy race but it looked like I would make the rookie points race.

However when Scott went out for his Open race, my body just couldn’t function properly and I thought I was going to faint again. Slowly I took off the fairing and removed all the scrub land from the engine and belly pan. I put it all back together and got ready for the race. However as I pulled in to the holding area, I realized all the other bikes had already gone onto the track and were finishing their warm up lap. I pleaded with the marshal to let me join at the back of the grid but he wouldn’t and all I could do was watch as they set off without me. Another no score for my rookie championship – for the sake of 30 seconds!

After drinking lots of water to regain my voice (after the 5 minute swear and shouting fest I had) I got ready for the last race of the day, the clubmans points race. It was important to try and put my crash behind me and I managed to get a good start and allowed the bike to ride through the bumps that had previously caused my crash. Starting from the back of the grid after my DNS trophy race, I worked through the small turnout to finish a respectable 4th.



I left this place feeling very low. Those 30 seconds could cost me dearly when it comes to totting up points at the end of the season – we shall see!

Round 8 - Cadwell Park 18th June

It was meant to be a relaxing day, the day before the race, but it didn't turn out that way!

I needed new brake pads as the others were badly worn. Luckily I had a spare pair so set about fitting them. First pair fitted, second pair...wrong type! Here we go again.

So then it was a 50mile round trip to try and find a correct pair of EBC brake pads. How hard could it be?

Very!

Louth - No
Cleethorpes - No
Grimsby - No

Scott told me he'd get some in Newcastle and bring them down but I could rest until they were in my hand. Which at around 8pm, they were. Stress attack over.

There was another huge turnout as there always is at Cadwell and some of the bikes were looking seriously tasty. Luckily most of them had no Auto66 points so they'd be behind me on the grid for the qualifyer.

Both qualifying races went well but there were some seriously quick guys who left me for dead.



In the trophy race I managed to get a 3rd in the rookies and 4th in the Clubmans. I was well chuffed. 10 weeks after breaking my shoulder and everything that had happened in the last couple of days and I was still able to pull it out of the bag and get a trophy (and cadwell cap!). The day would be a success whatever happened now.



The points races were hard work but I was happy with my riding. After some close battles and a few "moments", I managed to bring it home in 5th in the rookie race and then 8th in the formula race.

For the first time in ages I had had an eventful day with no mishaps. Racing felt good again.

Trackday - Cadwell Park 16th June

So this is it, my return to the track after a 10 week lay-off with my broken shoulder, back here at Cadwell Park where it all happened. Fingers crossed nothing goes wrong so that I can get my confidence back.

I'm here because I have an Auto66 race here in two days time and I want to get some time on the bike before mixing it with the big boys again.

Tyre warmers on, battery charger on, fuel in, oil level good. Brand new tyres on. We're ready.

The usual briefing takes place and then its on the bike for the sighting laps.

Lap one... This is a good pace to scrub my tyres in. Gradually increase the speed and lean angle

Lap two... Feeling good, increase speed and lean angle a bit further. tyres feeling good

Lap three... right then, lets give it a bit of full throttle. Slow down to create a gap in the convoy of bikes, give it some.... mmmm, that adrenilin rush is back. Feeling good. Another gap, another bit of full throttle and a bit more lean, all the way round Chris's curve. Then settle down towards the end of the lap ready to pull in....

...whats this guy want, waving and pointing? I turn round to see smoke bellowing out of my bike. With just one corner left, I decide to carry on and leave the track as normal. Last corner and "WOOOOHHH", the back end comes flying round and nearly has me off. I ride at a snails pace up the exit road and into the paddock. Stop and look at the bike.

Holy mother of god!

The bike has oil dripping from every panel. The bike is coated in it!

The bike is stripped and eventually we find out that there are two rubber seals on the oil filter. The old one had remained stuck in place when I replaced the filter this week and as a result there was no seal, resulting in approximately 2.5 litres of hot oil being sprayed over the entire bike. I was lucky to have stayed on - Very VERY lucky.

So this was my first time out on the bike after breaking my shoulder at this very circuit! Not the best way to gain confidence.

It took me about 3 hours to clean the bike with the help of friendly riders and their cleaning products. My tyres were now not only new but has absorbed a shocking amount of oil. After a few laps of the car park to make sure they wouldn't throw me off at the first opportunity I went back on track - for 5 minutes.

I came back in, happy that the bike was safe and went straight to (100% bike suspension) Colin for a bit of suspension help. He had a tweak and then it was back out again. It felt better and I pushed harder and then came back in to compose myself for one last decent session at the end of the day.

Time to see if the gixxer thou boys next to me were really as good as they sounded when I had listened to them throughout the day.

Out we go, with me following them. Build up the pace slowly letting them get away a touch. Right then - lets give it some....

1 lap later, I had passed them, a couple of other guys and left them for dead. I felt happy with my performance. But just to bring me back down to earth, I was passed by some REALLY fast guys and I just couldn't catch them. Oh well, lets pretend they're British Superstock boys - maybe they were?

So a mixed day. I thanked my lucky stars I was still in one piece and headed of to a nearby pub for a much needed beer. Bring on Sundays race!

Round 7 - Elvington 28th May

Yet another missed round.

My shoulder is feeling much much better but I didn't want to risk falling on it as I know its not quite right.

The next round is Cadwell (where I fell off) so I really want to go there and confront my demons.

We'll see...

Round 6 - Elvington 7th May

Another missed round and now I'm well down the order in the championship.

My main thought is whether to pack in the championship this year, get back to full fitness and then do the rookie championship again next year - or whether to think, sod it, jump back on when you're ready and do as good as you can.

Not bothered about not racing at Elvington but I do want to be on the bike racing.

Decisions decisions...

Round 5 - Croft 22nd April

I REALLY REALLY wanted to race at this event.

I was so pissed off I couldnt even bear to go to the event.

Looking at the results, I know I'd have done well here

Gutted!

Round 4 - Elvington April 16th

Well I made it to this race... but only as a spectator!

It hurt not to be out there with the rest of them. Watching my championship position dwindle.

This is the depressing side of racing.

Round 3 - Cadwell Park 2nd April

My god its a long way from Tynemouth. Luckily we'd stopped over in Sheffield and continued on from there on Saturday afternoon. We set up and settled down for the night.

The next day the weather was looking threatening but mainly managed to stay dry.

Simon Raynor, John Lydamore and Rob Hoyles were there as well as the Handley brothers. This was going to be tough.

Again, practice and qualifying went well enough but it quickly became apparent that I didn't have the pace to run with the frontrunners (Jon/Rob/Si).



The last qualyfying race was a wet one and my first time on wets. I did okay but some of the other riders managed to find parts of the track that are best left undiscovered.

Onto the points race and I was hanging with the front guys, at least for the first lap! Then after another lap of holding station I decided to push a little bit harder. Unfortunately this coincided with a slight drizzle coming down.

The gap was definitely closing and this added extra incentive to keep pushing. Unfortunately I should have settled for my 3rd spot as I managed to highside out of mansfields. And it was a biggy. Big enough for the race to be red-flagged.

I told the medics that I remained concious throughout, and I believe I did, but it was a bit fragmented. I remember the back tyre loosing grip and me shutting off, then I dont really remember the next bit until I hit the ground and then I just remember being on the floor and trying to crawl to safety and not being able to. I guess its something my brain doesn't want to remember.

Anyway, off in the ambulance to the medical centre and a nice lie down to answer lots of stupid questions. Meanwhile Nic was having kittens as she hadn't seen the crash and couldnt get any information about what had happened. Finally I got a message to her and she made her way to the medical centre. That was my time to relax and go very pale and faint. My vision then when very wierd and I thought I was going to pass out. However I managed to pull myself together and 30 minutes later I was on my was with suspected bruising and potential ligament damage.

The pain meant that I couldn't drive and the painkillers meant I couldnt stay awake.

Nic drove the white beast all the way back to Tynemouth (stopping at the Wetherby Whaler of course)... bless her

The next day the X-ray showed that I had cracked my shoulder blade in a "very rare and impressive way"... oh good!

So that was me out for at least 2 months, longer if Dad gets his way

Arse! The only compensation was being awarded 3rd place with the bizarre count back rule.

Round 2 - Elvington 19th March

I don't remember much about this day except for struggling with the bumps again and loosing lots of time trying to settle the bike down.


After pretty good qualifying I managed a 4th in the rookie race.
The clubmans race was a great race and I was knuckling down when all of a sudden my bike gave up the ghost. As it turns out, it was a disconnected battery terminal. What a bugger!

So no points from this race, I'd have to make up for that next time at Cadwell Park. Finally a decent track to see if I was really any good.

The first race weekend - March 4th/5th

What a nightmare introduction to the world of motorcycle racing.

We awoke to see a crisp layer of snow on the ground and thought that the weekend would definitely be cancelled. That was my introduction to the money grabbing mentality of the race organisers. If there was a way to get us out on the track, they would have our money in their hands.

We arrived at the circuit to see that the snow had been replaced by a covering of thick ice. Not condusive to racing. But still we waited...

...and waited...

and..well, you get the idea

Then around 12pm..."it's on!"

The convoy of trucks headed down the slowly melting ice rink towards the pit area. A quick walk around the track had me laughing nervously as there was still large sections of ice. Still, we kitted up and got our machines ready and then low and behold we were waved out.

Once we realised that the track was now 95% ice free we started to open up the machines little by little. After 10 minutes I had the following thought..."I HATE THIS PLACE"

Elvington is a half tarmac, half concrete track laid out at the end of the runway. It has cracks along its length, with grass sprouting through in places, drain covers bumps galour. It aint donington!

I ended the day very happy with the power of my bike but worried about the suspension as I was being bounced out of my seat on the tracks two most critical corners (leading onto the straight). Oh well, lets see what tomorrow brings.

After journeying back to Harrogate to avoid frostbite overnight, we travelled back to the track early the next day and the conditions where fine.

Practice went okay and qualifying went even better. Well the rookie race did but the clubmans qualyfying saw me fall on a patch of oil left by the sidecars (3 wheeled plonkers). Still, no real damage. The rookie trophy race was the perfect start to the season. I won my first ever race!! [note, as the season stands, this was also my last race victory!]. On to the points race and I came second. Confidence was high until it was brought back down with a 6th place.

Overall though, a good day and I was hooked! Bring on event 2