Monday, October 14, 2013

Bit moist and chilly


Bit moist and chilly
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
here at Cadwell today. It makes it all worthwhile when my client, a Racesafe Marshall, who's picked me out of the gravel a few times, is enjoying himself.

Sunday, October 6, 2013

Final race of season.


Final race of season.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
Great race with Leon. Couldn't quite get the better of him though, tried my best, got in front a couple of times but ultimately finished 2nd by 0.48.

Saturday, October 5, 2013

First race.


First race.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
Got a reasonable start and had a bit of a battle at the front but was always mindful of not messing it up by getting in the way of the title challengers Marty and Jon. When I looked back and saw Marty I moved out of his way, without realising that Leon was tucked in his slip stream. Bu$$er! I had a great tussel with Leon but he got the better of me by 0.019 across the line. Popped the 2nd fastest race lap in though so will be on the front row for tomorrow's race. 10.25 might be live on Eurosport.

What a gamble!


What a gamble!
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
After this morning's light shower the track was damp but I had no idea what it was like round the back; so went out on wets. With only about 8 laps in total to play with I had to get out and post some sort of decent time. With about 9 mins to go came in and changed to dry tyres. Managed to get out of the pit land with just enough time for one flying lap. That was all I needed - pole position for today's race at 5.10pm.

That's nice.


That's nice.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
The rain has just arrived in time for practice first thing.

Friday, October 4, 2013

Practice over.


Practice over.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
Well had a 20min run round with the boys; did 8 laps. Four of us, usual suspects, doing 2.16s. Bike is not happy over the bumps so going to have a fiddle with stuff. Qualifying is at 9am.

Practice.


Practice.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
Nearly time for our free practice session here at Silverstone. You can keep up to date with live timing at www.tsl-timing.com

Sunday, September 22, 2013

I did think


I did think
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
I could have Jonathan, but hey I had a bloody good race, happy to finish 2nd and for a hobby/holiday had a great time. Thanks to all those who worked hard on the bike and those who donated some finance to get me here.

Saturday, September 21, 2013

A win at last!


A win at last!
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
Had to ride hard for it with Leon and Ben both getting past me at times. They are so much lighter than me that they are so fast on the straight that I have to ride round them in the corners. Marty ultimately took 3rd.

Morning warm up.


Morning warm up.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
Got permission to run with cameras, not on track for long, and it was a bit chilly and greasy in places, but hopefully will have got some reasonable footage.

Friday, September 20, 2013

Qualifying.


Qualifying.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
After only a couple of laps in practice I wanted to go well in qualifying. Stayed dry and I was on pole for a while. Sat in pits for 10mins and dropped to 3rd. Went out with 5mins left. Managed to squeeze a bit from somewhere and on the very last lap improved just enough to snatch 2nd on grid from Leon with Marty on pole. Got warm up in the morning for the first time this year so may do some twiddling...

All sorted.


All sorted.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
Luckily circuit maintenance department was working today; as the chap who welded it said "...it might not be pretty but it won't come out again."

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Donington is dry


Donington is dry
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
so far for my coaching client today; he's got wets so no problem if it does rain.

Monday, September 16, 2013

Cadwell cloudburst


Cadwell cloudburst
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
and mini typhoon for today's coaching client. Luckily we had three dry sessions first this morning.

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Cool at Cadwell


Cool at Cadwell
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
for today's coaching client. Bemsee are here this weekend so there are lots of racers on track.

Saturday, September 7, 2013

That'll do.


That'll do.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
Managed to get a decent start and finished 2nd. Did 3rd quickest time of race so lining up next to Dennis and Jonathan on the front row for tomorrow's race at 3pm.

Ready to rock...


Ready to rock...
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
Quick bit of spannering, some spit, polish and plenty of tape and we are ready to race. My 3 laps in this morning's qualifying have meant I ultimatlely ended up 10th on the grid. Race at 4.20pm.

Friday, September 6, 2013

Welcome to Donington


Welcome to Donington
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
where it is wet and continues to rain. Forecast dry tomorrow so there really is no point going out for twenty minutes practice today. Everything to loose and nothing to gain...

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Scorchio


Scorchio
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
here at Cadwell with today's coaching client. Absolutely roasting weather.

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Grand day


Grand day
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
out at Oulton Park for my coaching client today.

Saturday, August 24, 2013

Rockingham rain


Rockingham rain
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
unfortunately for today's coaching client. We will just have to get on and make the most of it.

Great weather


Great weather
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
continued at Snetterton for my second client there last week.

Snetterton


Snetterton
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
Nice and sunny for my first client there last week. He only lived a few miles away so rode to the track.

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Little holiday.


Little holiday.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
Here we are having a small break at Rockingham for a couple of days. 'Cato' can not believe he's getting a second wash in as many months!

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Back to Oulton.


Back to Oulton.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
Today's coaching client only lives round the corner so rode his bike here this morning.

Saturday, August 10, 2013

Qualifying.


Qualifying.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
Quite happy with 3rd place on the grid. Banked a reasonable time then came in and waited in pitlane for last few minutes to go for a push. On my outlap the session was red flagged as Peter Hasler jumped off and that concluded qualifying. He's okay but not racing today.

Friday, August 9, 2013

Practice.


Practice.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
For some reason the bike feels really hard. Got to work on some ideas to make it more compliant for qualifying tomorrow.

Lots of time.


Lots of time.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
Waiting around for our practice session, got time to give track tips to some of my coaching clients who are also racing here this weekend.

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

'Cato' contributor


'Cato' contributor
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
at Donington today with a repeat coaching client who was one of the contributors to Frank's retirement fund which went towards securing 'Cato'.

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Brands G.P.


Brands G.P.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
Not too many track days on the full circuit but it's the choice of today's coaching client.

Saturday, August 3, 2013

History of Held


History of Held
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
supporting me. Made Guy this lovely display stand showing how my sponsored gloves from Held have evolved over the many years. We are in Carlisle at K C Superbikes for it's debut.

Friday, August 2, 2013

Back to Cadwell


Back to Cadwell
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
luckily today's coaching client has his marquee up, so we'll be fine come rain or shine!

Sunday, June 2, 2013

Pole position lap - onboard video

Watch the onboard footage of the lap that secured pole position:

TZR races Oulton Park

Great action shot from yesterday by David Johnston.

Friday, May 31, 2013

Yamaha Past Masters - TZR - Invitation.

John 'Jock' Walker kindly invited me to ride his TZR at Oulton Park in the Bemsee Yamaha Past Masters Race. I hadn't ridden a TZR since 1988 when I won the JuniorStock British Championship on one. I was interested to see if the memory was better than the reality...


Gorgeous weather at Oulton Park - just getting out for my first ride on a TZR since 1988...


We've entered in the EDI400 event as well to get a bit more practice on the bike. Just finished qualifying with them and managed 5th - but the bike has lost it's 'edge' from this morning. Got to try and find out what's up before our qualifying proper.


Thanks to John 'Jock' Walker for inviting me to ride his bike - we had a frenzied hour or so looking for the 'edge' - but we found it and lots of other broken bits and pieces in the stator - pleased to get pole position for him.


Friday, May 24, 2013

Free practice.


Free practice.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
You guessed it. The rain came the exact moment we rode down pit lane. There was no point going out and getting the bike all dirty just for Ray to spend the night cleaning. Qualifying is at 9am tomorrow.

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Donington 848 fest.


Donington 848 fest.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
I'm here having a lovely one to one coaching day with my client at Donington today, only to have four Ducati 848 competitors rock up and squeeze in the garage.

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Sunny day at Silverstone.


Sunny day at Silverstone.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
Just having a run round to capture some footage so I can do a tutor DVD and get to know 'Cato' a bit more.

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Now 'Cato' now!


Now 'Cato' now!
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
At last I've got to ride my new coaching bike 'Cato' at a shake down day at Donington. Just getting the cameras aligned, footpegs and handlebars sorted and my all important seat bump sized up!

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Donington day out


Donington day out
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
'Frank' and I are having a nice day out coaching one of his relatives today.

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Better result today


Better result today
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
finished 2nd but it was not as exciting for the spectators. But points is points...

Friday, April 5, 2013

All Ray's hard work.


All Ray's hard work.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
Has paid off. The motor is running fine and feels strong. Just got to sort the handling out now...

Friday, March 22, 2013

A bit chilly


A bit chilly
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
here at Snetterton for today's coaching client.

Monday, March 18, 2013

Super.


Super.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
Left Lleida this afternoon to have tonight in Sitges. It's a beautiful place out of season while there is no one here. Might be a bit different in Summer when it's packed.

Friday, March 15, 2013

Seeking a bit of sun


Seeking a bit of sun
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
en route to Alcarras. Going to have a couple of days reaquainting myself with the 848.

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Bit chillier


Bit chillier
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
here at Snetterton with my coaching client today.

Thursday, February 28, 2013

First coaching day 2013.


First coaching day 2013.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
Enjoying a bright and clear day here at Donington; albeit a little chilly.

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

New personal sponsor!

I am very pleased to announce that globally international superstar DJ Carl Cox is confirmed as being my helmet sponsor for 2013.
From his FB page: A musical ambassador since he was in short trousers, a professional DJ since his early teens, a veteran of acid house and a champion of techno – you name it, Carl's been there and done it, never losing sight of his passions – playing music, breaking tunes, spreading love and celebrating life.

You can find out more about Carl by visiting his official website: Carl Cox Website