848 races at Misano - I did think that I could do practice sessions on the Friday, fly home that night, miss qualifying, and then get back to Italy late Saturday night.As there’s a date clash with my daughter’s college speech day and prize giving on the Saturday, I was fully prepared to race my heart out from the back of the grid to try and get decent results for the Öhlins P&H Motorcycles bike on Sunday.
I thought it’d be workable – even booked the return flight from Leeds to get me back into Italy late on Saturday night.However, I’ve been scuppered by the organisers who are insisting that I can’t even line up to race unless I complete a minimum of one lap of the qualifying session.So, as I don’t have a Learjet to pop home, after one lap of Saturday’s qualifying in time for the speech day, I won’t be racing at Misano.Obviously, I’m a bit sad at the thought of missing such a momentous event as Ducati World Weekend, but hey, one thing’s for sure, there’ll always be another motorcycle race, but there’ll only be one daughter's prize giving!

I enjoy racing in the 848 Challenge as there’s a friendly ‘family style’ atmosphere, so when thinking about a replacement rider for the Öhlins P&H Motorcycles no.121 machine, I didn’t have to look too far.

I’ve previously coached Claire ‘Lily’ Myler when she was running her 750, so I know she’s a competent rider who’s also raced Ducatis before. It’s incidental that she’s married to my Nephew Ryan, and currently supports him as pit crew in his 848 Challenge quest.

I think it’s about time this year that ‘Lily’ put her leathers on, and am very pleased to announce that Claire ‘Lily’ Myler will be riding the Öhlins P&H Motorcycles no.121 machine in Italy!

The Misano event is likely to be unique in the respect that with Mr. and Mrs. Jordan riding, for the first time in solo racing, two married couples will be competing on track together.

Photos:

Bonnie Lane – Mike leading the way at Snetterton.

Alan Wesley - Claire ‘Lily’ Myler out on her hubby’s 848.