For coaching here at Oulton is really in for a difficult wet / dry / wet day - again! I wish the weather would just make up it's mind.
Friday, June 15, 2012
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
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.
Monday, June 11, 2012
It's a bit grim.
Here at Snetterton with a coaching client. Weather couldn't be different from when last here with BSB. Wet cold and murky.
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Latest new report - 848 Snetterton
Report, lots of photos, and video overview now online click for the: Latest news
Photos: Bonnie Lane
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
A great run round
with a repeat coaching client here at Oulton. He's racing here next week but hasn't ridden the circuit in years so we are having a 'full on fun' refresh.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Balmy day.
After the fierce heat of Snetterton I am enjoying a pleasantly warm day coaching at Donington.
Friday, May 25, 2012
Untimed practice.
Changed one of the fork springs looking for more front end feel and just found more weaving! So that's being put back for tomorrows qualifying. Just five of us on 1.59s with me in 4th. Bit cross with myself really as I know I should have done better. Qualifying is at 9am. Nice.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Lots of elevation.
Well it's dry today so managed to get out on track. Built in a quarry Castelloli is not like anything we have at home, there's plenty of monster elevation changes. But it's very bumpy.
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Arrived back at Castellioli
near Barcelona to honour the coaching clients that were all disastrously rained off last November. And guess what? It's raining!
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Frank on the road
to Barcelona for next week's coaching so doing a bit of work with Sarah using the 848. Just had a run on her bike.
Stealth mode.
Here we are after all Ray's hard work rebuilding the bike having a nice run in the sun at Snetterton.
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Untimed practice.
Just done the session. Bit of discussion amongst 848 riders as we are sharing the track with the Nordic BOTT. The organisers are wanting us to race and share the start with them. ok we're lapping faster overall but I don't want to arrive at the first corner on the opening lap to be confronted by a gaggle of slow 1098s who simply powered off the line.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
What a difference a week makes!
Back at Oulton Park with a coaching client. It's dry, warm and dare I say, it's even a bit sunny!
Monday, April 30, 2012
'Gladys' works well.
Back at Cadwell with a client today. Our new coaching support vehicle 'Gladys' although not totally customised yet, seems to work well for the video debrief.
Friday, April 27, 2012
'Frank' is making new friends.
Coaching at Cadwell on a classic trackday. 'Frank' has special dispensation to be out with his new friends. It's very cold and very wet. Again.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Not so lucky today.
Here at Oulton it's definately wet, wet, wet. Just went out for our sighting laps, and now it's time to change...
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Back to Donington.
I hope the weather holds for my client today. He rides a lot on the road round London, doesn't use warmers and has no wets or spare wheels.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
A brew and a video review.
My coaching client today has never ridden Donington before and he's due to race here so we're having a run round. Was awful and wet when we arrived but drying up nicely now.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Sunday, April 8, 2012
War of attrition.
Well the win has come at last; but to be honest the track was horrendous. Slippy and unbelievably greasy. Led off the line but lots went down behind me. Then someone blew up and it was called to a halt seven laps in. Half points but hey, 'a win's a win'.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Qualifying.
We just have the one session. On pole right until the last bl@&dy lap when both Marty Nutt and Sam Coventry sneaked up on me. What is good for the class though is that 14 bikes are within a second. I'm so proud of my nephew Ryan who has qualified 25th. Go Ryan go!
Free practice.
At last we got out on track. I don't think there's a lot of grip to be had, as experienced two monster slides. Swapped top times with Marty Nutt; I came in to alter something with a couple of minutes to go and he snatched the top spot from me. We both did a 49.3 with Darren Fry next on a 49.6 - but it was only practice. Qualifying is at 17.05hr.
Ready to rock.
Another hour to go before untimed practice. Seems to have been an eternity waiting to get on track.
Friday, April 6, 2012
Seat bump specialist.
Done Sarah's and now just tailoring Steve's to fit. We're not on track today so plenty of time to do jobs.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
On the way.
Van is loaded and we're all on the way to Brands Hatch for the opening round of the Ducati 848 Challenge.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
thanks to the club
Up at Northallerton for the sponsored riders evening. The North Yorkshire Road Racing Club works hard all year to raise cash that it allocates back to its supported riders. www.nyrrsc.net
Thursday, March 22, 2012
We are family...
I got all my sisters with me. Husband and wife, Uncle and Nephew, we are all having a run round Brands on the 848s in lovely warm sunshine.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Grim this morning
here at Cadwell. Cold with rain, not nice for today's coaching client. However it is brightening up and the sun is out so could be a better afternoon.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Saturday, March 10, 2012
The sun is out
and it's really warming up nicely for my coaching client today. She's riding a 400 and we're having a great time buzzing round Cadwell Park.
Friday, March 9, 2012
Much better...
day today here at Cadwell. I would not exactly describe it as warm but at least it's dry for my coaching client.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Sunny Oulton.
After a slight delay this morning waiting for the fog to lift, the sun has come out and I'm having a great time coaching.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Hmnn. Cold wet Cadwell...
Problem is when you are a youngster, you're limited to the days when you can get on track; so I'm enjoying a chilly damp one to one coaching day with a young client here on an MSV day at Cadwell.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
I'm pleased to announce...
 |
| Action shot: Jamie Morris |
I'm pleased to be able to announce that I will be riding the P&H Motorcycles Öhlins Ducati 848 in the Challenge this year. The whole team is focused on providing me with a top flight machine together with the necessary back up and support for us to be able to mount a serious attempt at the Challenge.
After finishing runner up last year, I’m looking forward to concluding some unfinished business.
It looks like there will be a strong field this season with plenty of new riders coming from many different classes and clubs. In addition to existing family and friends riding in the Challenge; apparently after last year’s endeavours, I’ve also inspired a few of my old sparing partners to dust off their leathers, so I look forward to them coming out to play, just can’t wait to start rubbing shoulders - already sharpening the elbows!
The team has already had a ‘shake down’ outing at Cadwell Park; both Matt and Ray worked hard to get the bike ready, and I’m pleased to report that it feels good.
I’m looking forward to some more testing before the opening round at Brands Hatch British Superbike event 6th – 9th April.
Paul Searle, MD of P&H Motorcycles Limited says: “We were looking for a top rider to do our bike justice for our second season in the Ducati 848 challenge race series. However we have done better than we could ever have wished. We are both delighted and honoured that Mike ‘Spike’ Edwards has signed to ride for P&H Öhlins this year.”
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Donington day.
Having a one to one coaching day bit damp and greasy hope it warms and dries up soon.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Just thinking about stuff
...as I send off my 30th ACU licence application form, I'm reminiscing about all the great times and fab people I've met through the sport. Enjoyed meeting Roland Sands when he came to crash a Harley at Brands - signed his number board for me!
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Brrr, splish, splosh.
Oulton park and my first UK coaching day this year. A bit chilly and wet this morning but brightening up now.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Update on 848 Challenge Collective
Last week I mailed a select group of contacts to see if they could join up as a Challenge Collective to support me getting on the 848 grid this year.
I’ve had a small response, but to date, not anywhere near enough to ‘make my dream come true’ – but there’s another week to go to try and raise some funds before I decide whether to go for it or not.
If interested in supporting me, you can always bung a nice big cheque in the post to this address – but hey, all donations, no matter how small are most welcome – if you want to securely donate online, simply visit my website at http://www.mike-edwards.net and click on the ‘Financial Support’ link in the middle of the header; or to find out more about my original ‘Challenge Collective’ proposal click here: http://www.mike-edwards.me.uk/
Saturday, February 4, 2012
What a surprise
in Paris for the ICGP dinner prize giving; for my first year and winning from the back row of the grid at Catalunya I've been presented with a trophy as 'rookie of the year'. How fabulous.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Friday, January 20, 2012
They say the customer is always right.
Two clients want coaching and they're in Spain. Who am I to argue? Almeria, good to be back!
Thursday, January 12, 2012
all packed and ready.
We all got a bit cold waiting as the truck was over three hours late for the collection but now 'Frank' is all packed up and ready to start work for the 2012 season. First clients fancy a run round in Spain let's hope it's warmer.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
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