I knew something was wrong with the front brake as I rode to the holding area for the race. Pushed back to the garage but no one could see anything wrong. Went out and did the race on a real wing and a prayer, pumping and feathering the brake, never sure whether it would be there and only ever working about 50% at the best of times. Hung on in there but couldn't safely mix it with the 250s or 400s for fun. I just did what I had to do - enough to win the moto450 class. Turns out the front disc is warped and it spent its time throughout the race pushing the pads back!
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Qualifying race.
Done the first race today. Drawn from a random ballot I was placed 19th grid. Mixed in with Formula 400s and open 250s - eight laps later I crossed the line in 5th first moto450 by 20 seconds. Just having some fitness food before the trophy race where I get to go off the grid in 5th.
Practice session.
Got about 5 laps in to the ten minute session and the chain came off. Trouble is it sheared a front sproket guard bolt so Steve 'monkey hands' McNichol is in charge of sorting it out.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Sabina gets new numbers.
Here we are at Silverstone to help promote the moto450 concept. There are seven of us racing tomorrow with the Formula 400s.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Great October day.
I can't belive it, here at Donington and the weather is fantastic. Better than some of the wet miserable 'summer' days I've had coaching this year!
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Full report and photos
The race report and more photos from Anglesey are now on my main website under the 'latest news' heading.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Cup of tea and flapjack.
Here at Oulton enjoying a brew and lovely dry warm day out coaching with Brian.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Race one done but going home early.
There is not really any point putting more wear and tear on Mark's bike. It's ridiculous to put the 450 singles and twins in the same class and call them equal. I don't mind riding hard on any day but it pi$$es me off to be ridden away from on the straights by something that is supposed to be equally matched, I reckon the speed differential at the end of the straight something like 20mph more for the twins. Should really have entered 'Sabina' in the supermono class as mixing the 450s does not work for me. Not even bothering with today's second race.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
First race - second.
I could not believe it when the rain started an hour before the race. I got away well and led for about the first ten laps in the wet. Then Matt Davies on one of the Aprilia rent-a-bikes and I swapped the lead for the next few laps, I could pass and out ride him on the twiddly bits but simply couldn't match his horsepower on the straights. Matt ultimately took the win by just 0.263 - Ben's gear lever fell off and Nige pulled in as he didn't have confidence in the rear grip. Going to give Gordon a different shock for tomorrow.
Oh my goodness.
Spent the start of qualifying with Ben on track following him and then led for a lap before doing my own thing. Only managed to get a few decent laps in before the session was red flagged for someone who blew up. I didn't get near my best practice time of 1.13.1 from yesterday. Only managing a 14.26 that puts me 7th. Trouble in the awning though as Ben is 0.029 sec faster than Nige.
All ready and raring to go.
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.
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
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