Round One, a Win to Start the Season…

Friday, April 8, 2011 0 Comments

Firstly I’d like to thank Noel Baker British Meats for providing me with my tyres for the start of this 2011 season, it’s a massive help, cheers guys. The business has just won a big contract to supply meat to all the schools in Neston and Ellesmere port, no mean feat that, very well done.

Finally the waiting is over. I took a half day holiday on Friday so I could roll up there and set up in daylight for a change, Martyn and Mike were already there so we had a nice chillin’ afternoon, “the big yellow thing” had strangely put in an appearance so it was really pleasant as well.

I woke up Saturday to another dry and sunny day, the quarter of an hour practice went well and I felt really quick. I have been figuring out new plans for corners I felt could be improved the most during the off season and it all felt pretty good.

I drew 15th on the grid for the qualifying race, by the end of the first lap I was up to 6th, passing much more superior machinery. I felt really quick yet comfortable and I made it up to 5th but got passed again and crossed the line in 6th. First in class though. I found that I had gone half a second quicker than my previous best, a big leap, well happy with that…

Finishing last season with a win kept me on a high although it was a wet win, today was dry and I had to prove to myself that I could win in the dry as well. My time had put me on pole again so that set me up for a good performance, feeling as quick and confident as I did it was mine to lose and I wasn’t gonna let that happen. The lights and my clutch lever went out and we were away, I was really determined and by the second lap I had gone even quicker again, I controlled the race from the front and crossed the line first, 11 seconds ahead of the field and another win, mega, I also got my new sponsor a mention over the tannoy, spot on… Previous best was a 1:16.6 and I managed a 1:15.3.

It was Mikes first race of his life and he was a tad nervous to say the least. He was running his Honda VFR400 in the forgotten era class. His aim was to not finish last and judging by his performance on the track day in Feb I knew that wasn’t going to happen. From a good grid of 24 riders he crossed the line in 13th!

Absolutely awesome result, a racer in the makin’ for sure. We were all clapping him on his return to the paddock and to see him smiling from ear to ear like a Cheshire cat even behind his helmet was great, he was buzzin’, well done fella.

My great friend Andy Ibbott, all round top bloke and the director of the California Superbike School has recently been taken seriously ill. He had to undergo an artery operation but he suffered a stroke and later pneumonia, he’s been unable to speak and at best wiggle his toes. A week or so later he made it off his bed and into a chair through steely determination, a reflection of his true grit as a character, he’s inspirational. He’s been training for the Marathon de Sables, a desert marathon in searing heat dubbed the toughest race on earth, to even consider it is madness!! James Cracknell is attempting it.

I wish Andy a full and speedy recovery, my thoughts are with him, Donna and their kids Kit and Alfie.

Saturday night we decided instead of a track walk we’d drive out to the Valley hotel for tea and a couple of pints to round a top day off. Overnight the weather turned, it was pissing down and the wind got right up. I couldn’t sleep for my flapping awning even with my ear plugs in. Seems we didn’t have it as bad as the lads opposite as you can see from the picture, their gazebo had decided to mate with their van..!!

No scrutineering on the second day meant a lovely lie, brew in then a change of wheels to wets. I was looking forward to today’s races as I’m pretty confident in the wet. Pole again but a terrible start meant I dropped to 4th off the line but I knew I could pull it back, I got up to second but I was wrong, before the lap was over there was a bang and my bike lost it’s power, I was going to pull in but I thought it’s still going so decided to carry on and see if I could get any points. I managed to limp home and salvage 16 points, not at all bad given the circumstances, turns out my number one spark plug had ejected itself out of the cylinder head so my bike was only running on 3, gutted. Big thanks to Ben for jumping in and getting it stripped for me. Nothing we could do at the track so back in the trailer and out with the white bike and get it ready for the last race.

Still wet I had some ground to make up, slotted behind the number one on the grid the flag was waved for the warm up lap, the back wheel went sideways and a few guys went past, not a good sign, I’d have to sort that for the race start. I made a more controlled start and got to turn one first and held it, I was 2 seconds a lap quicker than everyone else but going going up the back straight, full gas in 6th gear, foolishly I braked at my dry brake marker still slightly leant over which was too late for the conditions and I lost the front. That was that zero points, err bother!!!

So a weekend of very mixed fortunes, but I can take a lot from it. The engine’s cylinder head is off ready for helicoiling but they’re like hens teeth! Just hope I can get it sorted in time for Oulton as it’s stronger than my white bike.

Richy n Martyn both rode well, both picking up silverware which is great to see and Sam also had some strong rides, well done lads.

Yeah, Oulton next, lookin forward to that one, stick a reminder in ya phone and come over for a great day out. It’s Saturday 9th April and as it’s only up the road it’s an easy run out. Love to see all of you that’s been in the past and some new friends, there’ll be a brew waitin’, you can even help with the bike prep if you fancy it?

Speak Soon.

Al, Racer33