Monday, August 30, 2010

Got 2nd in championship.


Got 2nd in championship.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
Got a bit mixed up with Alex and James Webb at the start and that let Jeremy get away. I had some real hair'm scare'm moments trying to chase him down. One big near do over the mountain don't know how I saved it. But I did, shook 'the kids' off and chased Jeremy over the line to finish 2nd. Again.

All over.


All over.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
Was leading the race from Jeremy when it was stopped due to Tillotson. For the five lap restart I was determined to get to the front again. Unfortunately it all went wrong when the gear lever broke off! I tried to reach down and select gears with my hand but then I kept knocking the kill switch with my head so I had to call it a day gifting the championship overall to Jeremy.

Sunday, August 29, 2010

At last!


At last!
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
I won! Jeremy 2nd and Torquil 3rd. I think I even got the fastest race lap too. Next race at 10.50am.

Qualifying session.


Qualifying session.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
As luck would have it rain was intermittent all morning. So for qualifying the track was wet with a dry line just starting. Jeremy was a bit hesitant at the start giving me pole for quite a lot of the session. But then off course he found his feet and pushed me into 2nd on the grid by 0.168sec. James Webb completes the front row, Guy Martin is 8th and Glen is 18th.

Saturday, August 28, 2010

First Practice.


First Practice.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
Got another couple of Harley newbies. Guy Martin and 'Dangerous' Bruce Wilson. I did not finish practice as the bike sprung an oil leak after 8 laps Jeremy finished up fastest, James Webb 2nd and then me. Off now to find the oil leak.

Number 19...


Number 19...
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
... gets another new pilot. Phil has put Glen English on the other bike for this weekend. Two cloud bursts so far today with bright sunshine in between. Untimed practice is at twenty minutes at 5.30pm.

Friday, August 27, 2010

Red sky at night.


Red sky at night.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
Gorgeous sunset here at Cadwell this evening. I hope its a good omen for the weather this weekend. Practice on the Harley tomorrow last thing in the afternoon.

Monday, August 16, 2010

Almost home.


Almost home.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
We've just clocked 1,500 miles with only 100 more to go.

Those bits of duster zip tied to the mirrors have kept them clean all the way whilst driving through the most horrendous weather.
Top tip!

Sunday, August 15, 2010

First race over, and out!


First race over, and out!
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
I was leading the race in the rain and slipped off on some oil. Both me and the bike were fine I was even planning to get back on. Then David Legalle came sliding towards us at speed and unable to avoid it, totalled the bike. It just exploded on impact. Luckily David is okay though.

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Really european


Really european
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
There are 40 competitors from 8 different countries. One German competitor Andreas Woditsch is riding a regular SZR and has expressed an interest to ride Gordon in one of the races tomorrow. So he might get a run out after all.

Friday, August 13, 2010

2nd qualifying.


2nd qualifying.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
No. That spring wasn't any better. I just can't make the most of my strengths out on track, late braking, entry to and corner speed. With the smaller bikes this is what you have to capitalise on. Valter has put in a blistering pole time of 1.35.7. I am a couple of seconds back on the second row in 7th. Not sure what to try next. Nothing tomorrow and straight in to the first race Sunday at 9am. I'm praying for rain...

1st qualifying


1st qualifying
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
As we are trying to develop the bike as best we can I thought we should try a different spring for comparison. I was a bit disappointed though it didn't work the way I wanted and although we tried different settings I just couldn't make it work. Valter is fastest as expected but then Henk, Stefan and I are all within 0.5 second of him. Making another spring change for the next session. Fingers crossed.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Stormy weather.


Stormy weather.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
We have put 'Jurgen' in the van as very bad weather is forecast for tonight. Luckily we have 'Gordon' with us as a spare bike and anchor weight for Gottfried's tent.

2nd free practice.


2nd free practice.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
The weather was mixed again. I went out on wets alongside Valter Bartolini we both shook our heads at the first corner as it was dry so only did one lap and came in to change to slicks. Tried lots of things in the session to get the feel of the bike. Ended up at the top of the sheet with a 1.40.8 with Valter and Stefan next. A couple of things to change now before the two qualifying sessions tomorrow.

First practice.


First practice.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
It's wet, I don't like the handle bar position, the seat angle is all wrong, I can't get down behind the screen and there is something peculiar happening with the throttle position sensor. However, I quite like it and even though it's only practice and not everyone was out, we set the pole time by over 4 seconds from Stefan Meiners. More practice in about three hours.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

It fits!


It fits!
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
Just arrived, and trying the little fella out for size. One or two things I've already noticed. Plenty of time to do stuff in the morning before we have first practice.

More wets!


More wets!
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
On the way to Oschersleben to ride Gottfried Michael's Rotax 450 minimono in the Euro supermono races at German Speedweek. If you read this Gottfried, "bring more wets!"

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Sunday Race.


Sunday Race.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
Jeremy and I were swapping front places at the start. Lea lost his gear lever, Alex crashed and Dijon popped his motor. Tried really hard to get the better of Jeremy setting the fastest lap but he took the win.

morning warm up.


morning warm up.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
Ran with a camera for the session. Out on my own really so it might be boring footage. Came across Roland Sands who is a guest rider this weekend tapped my seat hump and gave him a tow round.

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Reduced race.


Reduced race.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
The rain started mid superbike race. It was so wet that we were postponed to last race of the day giving the track chance to dry as we have a single tyre rule with no wets. Running out of time the race was reduced to six laps with two warm ups so we could see where the water was. Dijon got a flyer and passed me and Jeremy but did not last long. Then Lea passed us both and ran wide. After an excursion on the grass I got past Jeremy and made a dash for the line on the last lap only to realise I had made the basic mistake of getting the laps wrong and there was another to go! Jeremy took the win. Another race tomorrow.

Plenty of time.


Plenty of time.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
To get other jobs done today before the race at 4.55pm. Just working on my daughter Jodie's folding bike.

Friday, August 6, 2010

Suits you.


Suits you.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
Sarah popped by after qualifying to try out an XR1200 for size. The session had been fun with me and Jeremy swapping pole position throughout. We finished up the only two in the 38s but he pipped me to the top spot and the last couple of minutes. Carl unfortunately crashed at Sheene's, he is okay but there is some work to do to the bike. Alex Gault did not manage to get out. Dijon is in 3rd with Lea behind him. No warm up tomorrow straight in to the race about 5pm.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Not the best of days.


Not the best of days.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
Here at Cadwell with Bernie. Weather has been so lousy, and with no wets allowed for the Harleys, we did not even get out till after Lunch. Only did two short sessions and the rain came again. Bu$$er!