Well due to me changing jobs and moving to E2E Solutions, I haven't raced for over two months, so I was a bit rusty to start off with.

Looks of thrills and plenty of spills in the rain, fortunately I managed to avoid getting involved!!
Started to get my act together towards the end and got a 4th (again, no silverwear) in the 1300 open trophy race.

Not a bad performance, all things considered. Look forward to Boxing day, and the Plum Pudding Cup!

22/08/99

Mallory Park

Hot-Sunny

Race	Grid Pos	Finishing Pos	No.Of Finishers	FastestLap
3	(H)	15	32	?
11	G	4	30	?
15	B	11	30+	?
20	D	12	30+	?
24	H	?	?	?

Two months off and back in the saddle for a pretty good day!

The day started badly when I went out in practice and could not get on with the bike at all.
Due to the crash at Snetterton, we had replaced bars, rear sets and seat unit, and the combination of all these changes mean't that the bike felt alien to me (probably the two month gap didn't help either!) but mainly that I felt trapped in the bike (Didn't think I'd put that much weight on giving up smoking!)

Anyway super mechanic (Dad) to the rescue, with a bit of hacking, grinding and adjusting he got the bike to feel a little more familiar.

Went out in the first race with a confidence level of 0, I was given a row B (2nd Row) starting grid, but decided to go and start from the back, to build my confidence up, if you start at the front of the grid you can only go backwards, if you start at the back, you can only go forwards!!

Got a good start, and appart from getting boxed in and slowed up by slower riders had a good race, the highlight being passing 4 riders (yes 4!) on gerards (round the outside) on the last lap!!!
I finished 15 out of 32.

My next race (Formula 600, race 2) I had a G starting grid, thats row 7 (a starting position of 28th!!), feeling confident in the bike I was on Fire!!
I got a great start! and launched myself up a good two or three rows, entering gerards I was probably in the top 12 bikes, then half way round gerards one of the leaders high sided, and his bike started to tumble, spreading debris all over the track!!
I Narrowlly missed a piece of his faring with my front wheel, but it struck my bike, I stayed on...
By the time we got to thes hairpin I was up to 7th and gaining, then the Red flag came out and the race was stopped for a re-start.
On the second start I got an equally good start and cut through the traffic, passing people left-right and centre I rode a storming race and finished 4th!

My next race was a 1300 open race, I enter these purely for a bit of extra track time, there is no way my CBR600 is going to beat the fast boys on R1's and 750's (I still manage to beat most of the guys on these bikes, which is probably why I like the 1300 open, show some riders up!!)

I got a poor start and got swamped, and religated probably to about 18th on the first corner, I gradually clawed back the places and eventually came across my mate, Dez Chand, on his VFR

We had a bit of a scrap, until I out braked him into the esses and then as I flicked it over into the left hand part of the corner I flicked him the V sign behind my back (Just like Barry Sheene did to Kenny Roberts) and cleared off, I've always wanted to do that to someone I know, brilliant.. and I think Dez found it funny too (I'm sure you did mate!!)..
After that race I kind of went downhill, I blame it on stamina, I haven't ridden for ages and its hard work getting back into it..

All in All though a great day, nice weather too (for a change)..

Hi to Andy, who came to see what club racing is all about the intent to start (hope I didn't put you off too much, Add up all the costs you have of running the road bike and compare it with the cost of racing, you'll be supprised)

And thanks to all the folks: Gareth, Jodie, Russell, Linda, Nadine and the usual suspects (Mum & Dad, Jackie, Louis and Andy D) for all the support, for without whom I would not be writing this page!

26-27/06/99

Snetterton

Hot-Sunny/Wet&Windy

On Saturday I was still struggling to get back 'in the groove' due to my injury's from last weekend, although I secured a 12th in the Forumla 600 race, which is not a bad result at all. The weather was great but I struggled all day, fighting the bike and my injury's rather than feeling 'at one' with the bike.

Half way through Sunday the weather changed and it started to rain, I didn't mind because I knew I was quick in the wet and could handle some smooth riding better with my aching body. In the Formula 600 race I got a terrific start from the 7th row and was about 8th into the first corner, I was in shock, what was I doing all the way up here?, from something like 20th+ on the grid! I was with the 'big boys' here and followed them round, amazed at how easily I could match their pace, the race seemed to drag on forever, and everytime I came round there was a new faller at every corner, the track was really slippy. But I kept my cool and finished a rather impressive 6th!

Feeling ontop of the world I entered the final race of the day, from a 4th row grid I was 4th into the first corner. Tailing the rider infront of me (Mark) I worked out where I could take him and pinch some silverware, on the forth lap I made my move and passed him. Heading down the back straight I expected a challenge from him into the Esses (Mark was quicker than me through there) but none was made, through the right hander and down into the Bomb Hole...
Slow Motion Time as I exit the Bomb hole and the rear of my bike slides to the left hand side (Speedway Style), then snap! as the backend regains grip and lauches me over the handle bars. For a brief moment I realise that I am doing a hand-stand on my handle bars and can read my front numbers upside down! Then a crunch as I hit the tarmac and a real belt to the head, I then skit off onto the grass. I'm amazed when I get to my feet and find everything in order, shame about the bike though. Throughly trashed! It had flipped up and gone end to end down the track. All bodywork trashed, tank pancaked and god knows what else.

CLICK HERE TO SEE PICTURES OF THE BIKE

20/06/99

Mallory Park

Sunny/Windy

Race	Grid Pos	Finishing Pos	No.Of Finishers	FastestLap
4	5	DNF	?	?
21	Pit Lane	Last!	?	?
24	3	1	?	?

On Sunday I entered the EMRA Championship Round 3 at Mallory Park as a late entry (which basically means they squeezed me in where ever they could!) The 600 class was full so I was entered for the following races:

• Drayton Croft Trophy (Open Class)
• 250cc-750cc
• Newcomers

As I sat up, I couldn't breath! Winded (thank god!) it took me a few minutes to get my breath, as I realised I hurt my thumb quite badly.
I looked across and the other chap hadn't moved, the race was stopped as the medics attended the scene. I stood up and looked across again, the other rider still wasn't moving, this looked bad! The medics then started fussing over the pair of us, and when I looked back again, they other rider was walking around! Off we went in the ambulance, all he'd done was cut his hand and wrist (mind you when I spoke to him later, he still didn't seem quite all there!)..
As I travel back in the ambulance I realise that I have probably broken my thumb, and it hurts badly, but knowing if I tell the staff at the medical centre, they'll stop me from racing for the day. When we arrive they say 'A you hurt anywhere?', 'No, I'm fine thanks' I reply... And they let me go!

I then set off to collect my bike.. I didn't look pretty!!!
The whole front end and left hand side fairing had disintegrated, the fairing mounting bracket had been pancaked, it looked a state!

All though it looked bad, I wanted to at least attempt to get it race worthy and race later in the day, especially after convincing the medics I was OK!
This is where my Dad (Superdad/Mechanic) took over...
We had one problem, I have a spare fairing, but it was at home..
I called my brother and he set about collecting my spare fairing and delivering it to us, mean while my dad beavered away grinding/bolting/patching/taping/zip tied the bike back together! I borrowed a screen from a fellow racer and we looked like we'd be back in business (if I could ride with a broken thumb!).. My next race came and went as my dad frantically worked on the bike, race after race went by and my brother had still not arrived with the fairing. He eventually arrived and dad stepped up a gear to get the fairing drilled and fitted... Job done in record time ... Then I dashed down to scrutenering to have the bike tested and cleared to race..
I then raced back to the collecting area, as they where calling my penultimate race. Damm! I'd missed the call, but I managed to convince the officials to let me start from pit lane (just to get out in the race and see if the bike was OK!) As the other riders screamed away from the start, I had to wait, once all riders had cleared the first corner I was waved on. For 3 laps I tootled round, scrubbing the tyres in (they had been covered in muck from the crash), seeing if the brakes worked, and checking the bike was still straight! Then I set about catching the tail enders of the pack, I made up the entire length of the start/finish straight in three laps, but could not pass any of them before the chequered flag came out. I finished last!!

I got back to the paddock and checked out my thumb, it was now black, swollen and painful, but I was going to race in my last race of the day!

I was on the third row, not a bad grid position! As the flag dropped I raced away, on turn 1, I was third, passing the guy in front of me mid-corner, I then proceeded to hunt down the leader. He was on a 750cc so his bike was faster than mine down the straight, but on turn 1 of the second lap I caught him up as we headed down the back straight fairing to fairing we approached the Esses, he braked, I waited, then I braked and took the lead! I then proceeded to lead the race to the end and take the win!!

Thumb pounding I headed back to a jubilant pit crew/family (it was worth the pain!) Confirmation from Hospital that I have broken my thumb, and here is a picture:

12/06/99

Castle Coombe

Damp

Race	Grid Pos	Finishing Pos	No.Of Finishers	FastestLap
1	6	22	26	?
7	1	8	39	?
9	6	12	27	?

The results do not do justice to the day I had!

The day started poorly, with overcast/damp weather, and me having to go out in the first race on brand new tyres (a complete no-no!) So for the first three laps I just trotted round trying to scrub in the new tyres, half way through the race I picked up the pace (Just so I didn't finish last!!! (I've never finished last, and never intend too!)) and I finished 4th from last!!

The next race was the newcomers race, 40+ riders on machines ranging from 250GP bikes to Yamaha R1's. As the race went on I learned the track again (this time a full race pace) and finished a respectable 8th.

The last race of the day for me was the final for the Formula 600, unfortunately your grid position was dictated by your finishing position in the first race (the one where I was scrubbing in my tyres) so I was on the 6th row (21st on the Grid), in an 8 lap race (1.8 miles per lap) that's a lot of places to make up. Fortunately for me, I turned into a complete physcopath, by the fourth lap I was upto 11th place, and hunting down the pack in front. Then one of the leaders crashed at the exit of the esses, spilling fluid right over the track, and the race was stopped.

We were held on the start grid for about 20mins while the mess was sorted out, and I was back in 21st spot (When a race is stopped you are always lined back up in the original starting line up (which is a real bummer considering I'd passed 10 people). Due to the stoppage the remainder of the race was to be carried out over 4 laps, making up 20 places in 4 laps = IMPOSSIBLE, but I'd still got my nutter hat on so what the hell!!

When the green light lit up, I didn't get as good a start as I did in the first start, so I'd got even more work to do, entering every corner quicker and braking later than the guys in front I made progress through the pack again, on three corners I could hear a scraping noise, but paid no attention. On one corner I was taking two riders a lap, On one the entrance, very late braking (kinda like of sh*t, that's too fast, I can't hold on any longer), and then one mid corner as I carried my extra speed round.
When I got back to the paddock I found out what that scraping noise was, I was grinding away my rear brake pedal, (with rear sets that's some going), the bike must have been absolutely horizontal as I slammed round the corners, I'd also gone right through my knee slider, and started to wear away the Velcro on my leathers!

A Great day, I feel I'm riding like I should be and look forward to Mallory Park this weekend coming.

29/05/99

Mallory Park

Damp/Wet

Race	Grid Pos	Finishing Pos	No.Of Finishers	FastestLap
1	3	8	?	?
4	4	6	?	?
14	4	5	?	?
21	4	4	?	?

Because of the problems we had at Snetterton, we entered the EMRA newcomers championship at Mallory to test the clutch, rather than wait till Castle Combe and find out we still have problems!

Felt totally knackered even before the first race, but as the day went on I got more flexible and forgot about the aches and pains!

Had a real great ding dong in the last race for 3rd place, the other chap just got it back on the braking into the hairpin on the last lap! But at last I felt I was pushing myself harder.

No silver wear but my best meeting this season (for myself, not finishing places), and I feel I have the hunger and desire back!!
(PS: Its a shame I entered so late for the championship, the last race of the day it kicked it down with rain, I timed the winner who was doing 1:10s, if I'd have been out there I'd have won by a long shot!!, nevermind!)
WATCH OUT!

22/05/99

Snetterton

Dry/Sunny

Race

Grid Pos

Finishing Pos

No.Of Finishers

FastestLap

Will post results soon!
My first weekend back after a long break due to my shoulder dislocation, and boy was it hard, not just the shoulder playing up, but my whole body forgetting what hard work is about!!
Struggled through both days, but it was worth it just to get back in the saddle.

Would have been a great weekend if my clutch worked!! Went out for one race and had no drive at all!!
This is why my results where somewhat poor.

02/04/99

CRASHWELL(Cadwell) Park

Dry/Sunny

Race	Grid Pos	Finishing Pos	No.Of Finishers	FastestLap
1	A	DNF	?	?

Yes, my record at Cadwell Continues! Whilst in 5th position and riding at pace with the leaders I left the track at the Gooseneck AGAIN! Big Ouch as I Dislocate my right shoulder (jpegs of X-rays posted up soon!)

I had a much better weekend than some though, the crash I witnessed the following day in race 1 (which I should have been in) makes you think hard about how dangerous this sport is!

Simon (Doc) Jones's bike spat a conrod entering the mountain section on the first lap, he was thrown clear onto the grass, but his bike ended up on a blind spot on top of the mountain. The following pack could not see the bike lying there, and piled into it and each other.
It was like a war zone, bikes, riders everywhere, like someone had thrown a hand grenade on the track!

Lots of injury's (both to bikes and riders), my very best wishes go out to Steve Howlett (suffering from serveral breaks, including leg,arm and ankle), and Doc Jones. Speedy recovery guys, I want to be racing against you guys this year please!

Steve was the first 600 racer I spoke to on my first ever race on a 600 at Snetterton, he helped me out when I crashed at Cadwell last year, and is a real nice chap, as is the 'Doc'. I wish them both all the best I hope they are both not considering giving up the sport over this freak accident!

28/03/99

Donington

Dry/Sunny

Race	Grid Pos	Finishing Pos	No.Of Finishers	FastestLap
1	I	35	39	?
11	I	34	36	?
22	B	11	39	?

Well I knew I was going to struggle at Donington, considering that I've never riden here before (not even a practise day) and with it being the Supercup and the competition being high as well. But I'd forgetten how hard it is racing on a circuit you don't know!

I spent the first two races learning the track, I think I clocked about 1.24, but I every lap I seemed to make the same mistakes
I was struggling with nearly very corner! The last race was an Open Newcomers race, stopped on the first lap for a major crash envolving my mate Mark (Get well soon mate) in a MASSIVE high side right in front of me (First time someone else crashing has ever shit me up!).
On the restart someone else did exactly the same thing, and from then on my heart wasn't in it to be honest!

Oh well Cadwell this weekend, at least I know the track, and look forward to pulling in some better results!

21/03/99

Snetterton

Very Wet

Race	Grid Pos	Finishing Pos	No.Of Finishers	FastestLap
1	J	DNF	?	?
5	D	DNF	?	?
8	E	15	29	?

Humm yes another Cadwell Park from last year!

From a real crap starting grid position in race 1, I managed to get up to about 10th in the first race, before someone ran me off the track at the Bomb Hole!
In race 5 (newcommers) I was leading by at least 10 seconds if not more towards the end of the second lap I lost the front end and crashed at Russells (no need what so ever I was wining the race by miles!). The Marshalls would not let me rejoin the race.

In race 8 I went out to finish a race, which I did. To top it all my clutch was slipping all day! Very disapointed, Oh well, at least it wasn't a championship meeting!

14/03/99

Mallory Park - Spring Cup

(Dry/Cold)

Race	Grid Pos	Finishing Pos	No.Of Finishers	FastestLap
1	F	16	?	?
4	F	18	30	?
7	B	2	27	?
11	H	DNF	?	?

First meeting of the season and a very mixed day for me. I was not up to speed and disapointed with my times. I came second in the 600 newcomers race (Dispite some arse ramming me up the back on braking into the hairpin and nearly shunting me off the bike!), but my times where poor. This was due to my front tyre being absolutely shagged! Why I didn't fit new tyres for the start of the season I do not know! The bike was loosing grip all the time and my times showed, I think my fastest lap was about 55seconds, I feel this season I should be looking to shave a few seconds off this!

Still I qualified in the heats for the Spring cup (just), which is more than I can say for Keith Flint, who crashed in his first race (poor chap)
Commisserations also go out to Steve Lincoln who crashed on the first lap on his new bike, hope you get well soon Steve! (AND A SPEEDY RECOVERY PLEASE!)

26/12/98

Mallory Park - Plum Pudding Cup

(V.Windy/V.Wet)

Race	Grid Pos	Finishing Pos	No.Of Finishers	FastestLap
1	F	DNS/DNF	?	?
3	F	17	25	?
8	A	1	24	1.019mins
9	C	7	25	?
12	A	2	16	?
14	B	5	21	?

What A Day! Started very poorly, by raining and then my bike breaking down on the warmup lap for the first race!! I knew what the problem was (wiring from the new cutout switch came loose) but couldn't get it fixed before the race started!
The second race I should have switched to wets, as the rain had set in for the day, but didn't, so, after I came out of the hairpin sideways I decided to just limp round on my drys,

Tyres switched and mind focus I entered race 8 (newcomers 1300 open) and got a great start, I lead the race from the exit of Gerards and managed to win the race, my first ever win and cuffed I was too!
But no time to wallow in my glory because I was straight out into race 9 (Plum pudding Cup 1300 open), had a great battle with a couple of guys after a poor start and finished 7th
Onto race 12, the formula 600 race, tryed to keep up with Luke at the start but he gradulaly pulled out a substantial lead, I was happy to take second!

Then my last race (race 14, 1300 open) I was a bit disapointed, I didn't realise where I was in the positions (I thought I was about 8th and I was really 5th!).
I know could have snook a 3rd if I'd have realised I was 5th, for the first half of the race 3 of us where changing places on every corner, the two guys who eventually beat me where on faster bikes (one was a ZX9R) and where taking me on the straights, but I was out breaking them into the turns.
Every time it got a bit more hairy, thinking I was only battling for 6th place I settled for sitting behind them, I'd had my glory in race 9 and 12. But in reflection I should have pushed till the end!

A Great day, the time and money I have spent on the bike is obviously paying off!
Thanks Mike and Gary Smith!! Thanks too to Nick Christian for lending me his spare wheels!