So first the bad news - the Fireblade is up for sale There's several reasons for this but the main one is that I've bought myself a R6 track/race bike and need to fund my opportunity to go racing. I've already turned it upside down and knocked myself out on it at the RAF Benson track day but quickly followed this up by passing my ACU race licence on it on monday at Brands Hatch. I've been helping Team Army Endurance in the Hottrax endurance championship as pit crew but will hopefully (if I can raise funds) be part of 'Team Army 2' at the Donnington Park round on the last weekend of June. Round 2 Race Report – Cadwell Park – 19 April 2014 | Team Army Endurance Racing So Wedgie and Tyke need to be wary as I'll be around annoying them at Anglesey where I'm pit crewing for Team Army 2 and will likely be on track with them at the test day for Donny
First time I've seen NBC repair tape on a bike, usually it's black and nasty Good luck Andy and enjoy it
So far I've raised £90 of the £700 I need for Donnington at the end of June from selling my Harris levers and an old lawn mower, that covers my membership to Hottrax (£30) and my ACU licence application (£45). Also selling the 2004-2007 track fairing, PS4, 40cm diameter fan (125cm high), steam cleaner etc etc. If I've raised over £350 by the end of May then I'll book on with Team Army 2 for the race weekend. (Shameless Plug) Any sponsors who fancy being linked with the Army team then give me a shout. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Team-Army-Endurance-Racing/258082037541168?fref=ts Round 2 Race Report – Cadwell Park – 19 April 2014 | Team Army Endurance Racing
I've raised a bit more money and after a weekend at Anglesey pit crewing for Team Army Endurance in the Hottrax championship I can now confirm that I will be racing with Team Army 2 in the 600 Rookie & Clubman class. I'm feeling the nerves already, especially as they are currently leading the class and were the top rookie & Clubman team Anglesey round and took the 3rd National position (but didn't get a trophy or acknowledgement for that). They asked me to race because the Donny round is 6 hrs instead of the 3 hrs that all the other rounds are and it's a bit much for a 2 man team so i've been drafted as a 3rd man. The plan is to stay upright and help them stay at the top of the overall table by the end of the weekend.
Practice day is 27 June, the 6 hr Endurance is on Saturday 28 June 14. Wedgie and Tykes classes both race on the Saturday and the Sunday. http://www.hottrax-motorsport.co.uk
Oh, and still after some sponsorship If a PLC sponsors sport they can claim it back on tax so technically it's free advertisement. I'm trying to find the exact laws & rules in order to push & wave the carrot for sponsors.
So after a good run out at Silverstone on Monday and sorting a number of issues out with the bike, like the brake lever jamming open and not getting on well with race shift hearing. I now feel comfortable on it. Just sprayed the fairing I'm almost good to go. Just a few bits to tidy up but did a lot of work on Thursday night with a mate who did a bit of work on Maria Costello's bike at the TT (and lent her his VW scirocco to do laps).
Really changeable weather. Riders were going down like skittles but all Team Army 2 stayed upright which healed us build a healthy 3-5 lap lead in the clubman 600 class, which we held for the rest of the race. Started wet then got really wet and then dried up as I was on track. Totally destroyed my rear wet tyre. This left me with the task of learning the 'dry track', I built up my rhythm and my pace but as we were healthily in the lead I never really pushed it. I achieved several things this weekend and am totally buzzing: first time on wet tyres, first race, first win & elbow down. I have to thank my team mates who took a big risk in asking me as an unproven rider to be the 3rd member of their highly successful team. They've finished first in class at every round and as this weekend was double time and double points with the main competitors crashing out of the race we are so far ahead in the championship that it's almost out of reach anyone else. This morning all 3 members of team army 2 joined Yorkshire Tyke in the first motogrande 600 sprint race to see how we faired and to have some fun. As we didn't do qualifying we started at the back - Spence had a good battle with tyke mid-pack, finishing 11th and Moggy tailed on the back of the pack. I however was hanging on the rear and about to go for an overtake when the guy made a lunge at the guy in front and they collided, I was right up their chuff so was lucky to not end up as part of it, I started to close in on the guy in front but there was yellows at Melbourne then he pulled into the pits - I backed off thinking I'd missed a red flag but by the time I realised I hadn't I was left way off the pack and on my lonesome with no chance of catching so I just concentrated on putting in the laps and knocked 3 second off my fasted endurance time but got lapped by a few guys. Finished 16th of 17 finishers and 22 starters. An absolutely cracking weekend and am well and truly hooked.
