Ben has gone off to the Aprilia tent to get on his bike while his Dad Nige and I get 'Gordon' and 'Sabina' started for qualifying. It must be great for Father and Son to be out on track together.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Friday, September 17, 2010
Bright spark.
Last practice session did not even make one complete lap. Lots of head scratching back in the awning. Steve McNick was the person that ultimately found the missing spark. Only problem was, by time he found it the practice day was over. Will have to wait till tomorrows qualifying to see if it works!
Sabina's playing up now!
As if she is in sympathy with Gordon not being able to get out and play Sabina has now developed a mystery cut out problem. At first I thought she might have touched a valve so pulled the clutch. But not so. Then she lasted just five laps in the next session before cutting out completely.
Sprocket carrier.
Gordons has collapsed and broken up. It is such a model specific part we have no idea where to find a replacement. Yamaha SZR 660. Any ideas?
Bit of practice.
Doing the practice day so that we can introduce Nige and Gordon to each other properly. It also means I am here on hand to help out with stuff.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Sunday, September 12, 2010
working hard...
...to get 'Gordon' back looking gorgeous ready for his outing next weekend in the supermono race at Anglesey with Nige Rea on board.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
Got 2nd in championship.
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.
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!
I won! Jeremy 2nd and Torquil 3rd. I think I even got the fastest race lap too. Next race at 10.50am.
Qualifying session.
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.
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...
... 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.
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 23, 2010
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Monday, August 16, 2010
Almost home.
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!
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!
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Monday, July 26, 2010
Good to catch up.
With Nicky Wilson. Did some coaching with him last year and we're having a refresh session here today at Cadwell.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Modifications to Frank.
I found sometimes it was a bit difficult to explain or get across out on track to my Clients about finer points of braking. A little touch here or get off them by there, so now with a bit of a mod Frank has the benefit of a visual aid.
Friday, July 23, 2010
So far so good.
Decent weather here at Brands today. Forecast was lousy but so far its sunny and dry while I coach a minitwin competitor for this weekends races.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Red hot and scorching.
Its so warm today that 'Lily' and I are taking refuge in the shade between sessions and keeping well hydrated.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Nice weather for it.
In contrast to the weekend we have lovely sunny weather here at Cadwell today where I'm enjoying coaching Tim.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Knockhill - race day.
Unfortunately, the weather was so bad, with torrential rain, and gale gusts, that it was the consensus of the Harley riders that it was too dangerous to race on our single tyre option.
Hopefully the two races will be rescheduled for later in the season.
N.B. I don't know what happened to the tent in the background...
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Qualifying session.
Went quicker this afternoon. Still second to Jeremy though. Then it's Torquil and Lea completing the front row. Carl has gone faster doing a 58.205 qualifying him in 12th. He is getting to like the bike now and reckons it's so comfy he could ride round on it all day!
Morning free practice.
It's still dry here but windy. Carl did well, taking it easy for the first couple of laps then building up. He finished 13th on a 59.295. We are fitting the different springs to his bike now as I found them a lot better - I've got grip for the first time on the bike! Did a 56.527 just 0.074 behind Jeremy. Rain is due at 4pm our qualifying session is 4.40pm!
Friday, July 2, 2010
Arrived in Bonny Scotland.
Just running through basics on the bikes with my new team mate Carl Marsden. We have a great 'family style' atmosphere within the team and I think Carl will fit in just fine.
Off straight to Scotland
This great action shot is by Rich Glover, we are now on our way up to Bonny Scotland for a double header Harley event with two races on the Sunday which is forecast to be rain soaked... nice.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Bit of fine tuning.
Coached Andy a while back at Cadwell and here we are at a sunny Oulton Park doing a bit of refresher work.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Just too hot.
Well I really dislike this track so I am over the moon to have got on the rostrum in 3rd. Lea had got passed Jezza and as they were scrapping I had got on the back of them just 0.9 down. Then the race was stopped and that's how the result was declared. Knockhill next weekend.
Morning warm up.
Never mind warm up its red hot. The bike is running much better now but its squirming all over the place. Following other people they are all doing the same so I can only think its simply because the tarmac is so hot.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Red hot qualifying.
And I don't just mean the pace. It is so hot today the bike has developed a weird misfire, affecting top end speed. Through the trap this morning I was topping 110, this afternoon I am 4mph down. Still managed to qualify 2nd to Jezza we are both in the 1.02s and next on the grid is Lea with a low 1.03.29 Hoping to sort out the misfire in the morning.
Off for a shower.
Its scorching hot. Just done morning practice. Second to Jezza and just in front of Lea. Chad and Jezza checking out my bike while I go for a shower. Mind you look in the background and you can see I am still keeping my eye on them.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Bit embarrassing.
I'm on some of the Harley promotional stuff. In fact there is a big banner image of me that I'm too embarrassed to stand next to for a photo. Out for practice at 9am bikes are not here yet though.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Lovely day with Sarah.
Mrs. Jordan was one of my very first coaching clients over three years ago. We're having a good time here at Cadwell today and Sarah's really making me work for my money!
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Praying to the great god of suspension...
...to give me some divine inspiration here at Mallory today on a private test.
Friday, June 4, 2010
New screen for 'Frank'
Recently with all the coaching I've been doing it seems to have caused me a bit of neckache agravating an old injury as the standard screen on Frank just isn't quite high enough to take the wind blast over my head.
Enter Gary from REPLI-CAST when I mentioned it to him he suggested the tall screen 'double bubble'.
Used it at Cadwell for the first time on Wednesday, it was brilliant, no neckache!
Pictures to follow.
Enter Gary from REPLI-CAST when I mentioned it to him he suggested the tall screen 'double bubble'.
Used it at Cadwell for the first time on Wednesday, it was brilliant, no neckache!
Pictures to follow.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
