Bit too emotional to do an update from the circuit after the race. Those that watched it on telly will understand. Calmed down enough now to potter my way up North back home. Will update more later.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Sunday, May 29, 2011
In hospitality
Watching Huddersfield Town play football. Team owner Alan is there supporting his local team. Oh yes the race - led for the first lap, and then had some monster massive 'almost crashing' slides got totally mugged while trying to get back under control. Even Chris Northover bagged me and took 4th. Leon was in front of him. Kenny won with Robbie Brown in 2nd. Tomorrows race is on telly 1.15.
Qualifying.
Well that's our one and only qualifying session done. Not very happy really. Made some suspension changes but still not right. Ultimately got a problem with the tyre. Race is at 3pm.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
First practice done.
We are sharing an awning and sharing the love with Steve and Sarah Jordan. I think Steve sees it more as an excuse for us to use all his stuff though! Back to practice - in three parts due to oil on track. Thruxton is still Thruxton, fast and difficult to set up for. Qualifying at 8.55am!
Getting ready.
Here we are at Thruxton for the third Ducati 848 Challenge event. Practice is about 4.30 so I'm just getting ready.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Trying stuff.
I have simply not ridden the bike enough with just the race event at Assen; so come to Oulton today to just do some laps and try different things.
We were on a UK Bikes Trackdays day, very well run with plenty of room in all the groups, very helpfull bunch of guys.
We were on a UK Bikes Trackdays day, very well run with plenty of room in all the groups, very helpfull bunch of guys.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Spectating.
Seized on the first lap. So that gave me enough time to get back, get changed and enjoy watching the race.
Morning warm up.
Swapped the carbs over as a test as its been the right cylinder on each of the three seizures. Did six laps and a plug chop. Seems to be okay. Lea has come to help with set up to make sure. We will just have to see for the race.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Tried my bloody hardest.
They formed a special row for me being dead last on the grid. Did my best
rode through the field to cross the line first time in about 8th. Then got
up to 4th on next lap. Simmo was away at the front so I Was hunting down
Parker and Bishop looking to make 2nd place mine. And then it nipped up...
rode through the field to cross the line first time in about 8th. Then got
up to 4th on next lap. Simmo was away at the front so I Was hunting down
Parker and Bishop looking to make 2nd place mine. And then it nipped up...
You guessed it!
Although I posted the third fastest lap the organisers have scratched my
time as I did not have the borrowed bike scrutineered under my name. I am
allowed to race from the back row of the grid. Again. Spare engine fitted
and now Lea is sorting the ignition for us.
time as I did not have the borrowed bike scrutineered under my name. I am
allowed to race from the back row of the grid. Again. Spare engine fitted
and now Lea is sorting the ignition for us.
Same again. Not even a lap.
Stopped furthest away from pits. Luckily Harry rode up to meet recovery
trailer on a Dutch bicycle he found. I managed with my little legs to cycle
back and with just 7mins left got three flying laps in on Stu Melen's spare
bike. Taped the numbers over but I reckon we could be in trouble again as I
never appeared on the telly. Off to see the organisers.
trailer on a Dutch bicycle he found. I managed with my little legs to cycle
back and with just 7mins left got three flying laps in on Stu Melen's spare
bike. Taped the numbers over but I reckon we could be in trouble again as I
never appeared on the telly. Off to see the organisers.
Morning qualifying.
I knew something was wrong the minute I rode on to the track. At first I
thought the acceleration was just slow compared to the Ducati. Within a
third of a lap I knew it was serious and pulled the clutch in. Holed a
piston. Not even done a lap so now we have three hours to sort it before
afternoon qualifying.
thought the acceleration was just slow compared to the Ducati. Within a
third of a lap I knew it was serious and pulled the clutch in. Holed a
piston. Not even done a lap so now we have three hours to sort it before
afternoon qualifying.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Graham's worked hard.
Here we are back at Assen; just uncovered the bike and I can see Graham has been working hard. A new rear seat frame that feels a lot better, new front brake master cylinder as per my request and the back brake actually works now - and it looks great!
Thanks Ken!
Spent hours at K Tech yesterday trying to fathom the weaving issue of the 848. Ken gave us lots of time and checked everything thoroughly and the most weird thing is - we found nothing wrong with either the forks or rear shock! Now that really is a bu€$er. Thanks anyway Ken for all your time and effort.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Hard do.
Managed to hang on to the bike and stay with Leon and Darren for the whole race this time. It was hard work. Thought I was third but Darren was penalised for overtaking on a yellow flag promoting me to 2nd and Mark Cheetham to 3rd. Nice glass trophy. But I dropped and broke it. Bugger!
Not what I wanted.
I'd like to report that I had a great race but I can't. A cloud burst as we were waiting on the grid meant we got five minutes to change tyres if we wanted for a wet race. I just did the front. That wasn't the problem though. The bike was fighting, bucking and weaving so badly on the straights that I was having to back off the throttle. Got 4th with the usual suspects on the podium. Darren on the top step, then Leon and Kenny. Going to be radical with suspension settings now because it CAN NOT be any worse.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
So frustrating.
I am disappointed that I just can't seem to get the bike to work. I even ran with a camera on board for the last session so I could try and think of a solution. It's weaving in weird places and I am still struggling with stability. Ho hum. Straight in to the races tomorrow no morning warm up. Just have to get on with it...
Sunshine and showers.
They're not kidding! But why did it wait to start raining exactly as our first timed practice was called. Did nothing for 10 mins waiting for it to blow over then put wets in to have a couple of laps to see what it was like. Not very nice! Alexey crashed out and has gone to hospital to get checked out. Leon is riding with a damaged finger after a get off yesterday. Two more sessions later today.
Doing stuff gradually.
Not really 100% comfortable with the bike yet. Still trying different things to find an ideal set up for me. Names? Not really got enough feedback as to whether it's even a boy or a girl yet!
Doing stuff gradually.
Not really 100% comfortable with the bike yet. Still trying different things to find an ideal set up for me. Names? Not really got enough feedback as to whether it's even a boy or a girl yet!
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Oulton outing.
Having a run round at Oulton today with a client before going home to unpack the van and re pack it to set off very early in the morning for Assen.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Scooter surgery
Shaun Rose of Motobreakes generously offered us a paddock bike for the season if we can get it going. Unfortunately after much twiddling and scratching of heads this one is not going anywhere...
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Getting through it.
Having a day at Snetterton with a client. Weather is good and the circuit is quiet so we are getting plenty of track time and getting through plenty of fuel.
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