The season has started and for those of you that are interested, or thinking of having a bash at racing yourself, here's my take on events at Brands Hatch just over a week ago ...... Thursday After a ‘nice’ early start (those that know me will know how much I hate getting up early) we boarded a fully laden Karl the Kamper and set off to collect Steph from Preston and then join the M6 traffic heading south. Once South of Manchester though the traffic eased and we had a good run down to Kent, arriving at around 3pm. We found a spot with electric hook-up and a water tap, so we were properly spoilt. There were a few modifications required to accommodate the new electric set up, but they were soon sorted. Before we knew it the awning was up, Paul had arrived and we were all sitting down to tea which Di had prepared for us. We couldn’t quite believe the day had finally arrived and we were about to embark on the 2013 race season at last. Happy days. Friday (Test Day) With neither Paul nor I ever having ridden around Brands Hatch before, today was going to be very important. We woke up to a very wet day, and it was only ever going to get wetter, but we decided that actually that wasn’t a bad thing for learning a new track anyway. We were soon signed on and ready to head out for the first session. Riding out onto the track for the very first time, and in the rain too, was very daunting, but I had the advice of Dale (Beanz) Thompson in my ears “just concentrate on being in the right gear for each corner, nothing else for session one”. I soon felt happy on the wet tyres and was enjoying finding my way around, exploring a few different lines as I went (apart from finding the fastest one, you never know when you’re going to need a weird one during the race). As the sessions progressed through the day, I could feel myself getting quicker and more comfortable with the circuit and the conditions, with a clear simple aim for each session, it was really coming together nicely, and I even decided to sit out the last session and watch Paul from Paddock Hill. This was also useful to be able to compare his lines and braking points with mine, seeing as I can’t keep up with him on track ….. Yet ;-) Saturday Qualifying So, here it is, qualifying for the very 1st round of 2013, and only the 2nd ever qualifying session I’ve taken part in, nervous …. You bet! Especially as there was no morning warm up session before hand. The conditions were still awkward after all of the torrential rain on Friday so it was full wets for sure. I was determined not to waste the middle part of this qualifying session as I feel I did at Mallory in October, and get my head down as much as possible throughout. The aim was to find space on track, and not get into any silly battles with anyone, we’ll save that for the race. I felt comfortable on the bike and with the conditions, and qualified 21st of 28 riders, not quite the top 20 that I’d secretly hoped for, but having apparently been running 18th during the session, felt that there were better things to come through the weekend….. Race 1 The tension in the awning before race 1 was very obvious, but we were ready to go, Paul and I rode through the tunnel together and took our respective places in the assembly area before being sent to the grid with the rest of the field. The Grid at Brands seemed a very strange place to be, it was the first time I’d seen it from that angle at a standstill, up until now I’d been flat out in 5th going through there! The race was soon underway and barrelling into Paddock Hill Bend for the first time with 27 other riders was scary to say the least, starting from the outside of row 6, a nice wide line seemed to work quite nicely, and I was surprised to find out afterwards that I’d managed to get up to 18th during the first lap, but then drop back to 22nd by the time we completed it, work to do to get back those places….. There was plenty of action, and for the first time I found myself properly battling with several other riders, and enjoying it! During the next 11 laps I managed to find my way back up to a finish in 19th place, inside the top 20 which is what I’d aimed for. Race 2 Still in very dodgy conditions, although a dry line was appearing, tempting a few riders to venture out on a dry rear, wet front set up, I opted for the full wets again to keep the confidence up. The Triumph was being very kind to the wets so far with it’s super smooth power delivery. On the grid this time, I really felt the nerves, for the first time, I actually felt sick sitting there waiting for the lights to come on, adrenelin is a strange thing. The lights went out and immediately the sick feeling disappeared, the Triumph hooked up lovely and we made another cracking start, heading for the outside line in paddock Hill again trying to stay out of trouble, it worked and I managed to hold my nerve through Druids as well, making my way up to 18th during the first lap, but this time, I held onto it and completed lap 1 still in 18th! Lap 2 however got very busy when I got involved in some very close riding with a group, losing out and dropping to 22nd, lap 4 saw me back up to 20th, but by the end of the race I crossed the line in 22nd. I honestly felt like I was much further up than that and was disappointed to find out my position. However, in this race I really felt like I was actually racing, in the words of John Ingram, I was taking “baby steps” and they were working. Sunday’s grid positions are determined by the fastest laps during the first 2 races, and to my amazement I had moved up to 14th, in the middle of Row 4! This was a worrying prospect as I’d never been that far up the field before.
continued ... Sunday ‘Warm up’ (now there’s a joke, it was bloomin’ freezing!) went well, again on a drying track but with very low temperatures, full wets were the order of the day again. At the end of the session, 16th fastest will do very nicely thank you. Race 3 I got myself another good start in this one, and made my way forward to 12th during the first lap, but being amongst the quicker riders now, wasn’t surprised to be knocked back down to 17th by the end of the lap. This was a new place to be for me, running in the top 20, but I tried to keep my head clear and just hang onto the rider in front. On lap 2, coming out of Druids and heading down to Graham Hill bend, I see a bike down on the grass, to my horror, I could see that it was Paul’s; now that’s a bad feeling when you see your team mate’s bike on its side, but there was no time to look despite everything inside me wanting to know if he’s ok. I found out after the race that he had suffered an injury to his forearm, but other than that was ok, I’ll let him tell that story himself though. During the race I dropped back to 19th, but with 4 laps to go I made a move on the rider in front and held on for an 18th place finish less than 0.2 of a second behind 17th. Now we’re playing! A true top 20 finish, and for the first time at Thundersport GB finishing on the lead lap, and within 110% of the winner, good enough for a National signature! Race 4 The last race of the weekend, and with Paul in Hospital, the ride through the tunnel to the assembly area was a very lonely one. With the weekend starting with 3 riders on Pitty’s liveried bikes, I was the only one (Luke having an off during Friday’s testing and having to head home). This was the time to make it count for the team, the pressure was on. The lights went out and I got what was probably one of the best starts I’ve made so far, cutting cleanly through the row in front and heading into Paddock Hill on a real high, I’d made it up to 9th place, but again dropped to 12th by the end of lap 1 (I really need to work on that first lap). None the less, we’re in the top 15, which is better than I’d hoped for at the start of the weekend. Now was the time to see what I could do with it ….. Despite my best efforts I lost a place and finished the race in 13th. I was over the moon to find this out in Parc Ferme, and could not quite believe it. A 13th place finish gained me 3 Championship points too! My personal goal for the season was to gain 1 point, and at the very first round we’ve come away with 3 on the board!! Well, what a weekend, with the highs and lows you expect going racing, leaving us full of mixed emotions. Clearly we all wish Paul a very speedy recovery and can’t wait to see him back out there and battling at the front where he belongs. Massive thanks go out to our sponsors, Secure Empty Property, Tankslap.co.uk Motorcycle Forum and Alissi Hairdressing for their support. The very same thanks go out to Di, for looking after the whole team and everyone else that came out to support us, by keeping us all fed, watered and extremely well cared for as always. Huge thanks to Frankie, who gave up his whole weekend to come and Pit Crew for us, this is a bigger job than most people think, also to Jack, of Jacks-Snaps for all of the photography. Last, but certainly not least, thanks to everyone who came out on a very cold and wet weekend to show their support, and of course those who couldn’t make it, but made the effort to follow the live timing online, it makes a big difference to know that people are out there supporting us. Bring on Donington Park, Easter Weekend (oh and can we have some warm weather please?)
good write up that, Didn`t know you was there or I would have popped in to say hello.. I was there to watch a friend of mine in the GP1, he had a win and two fourths.. on a S1000 with 225 Brake, around 210 at the wheel.the bike is a real animal. Carbontek racing, orange and grey bike, you may have seen it.. You got the signature which is what matters... good luck for donny
