Knockhill CRMC Round 4

Team Eddy’s travelled all the way up to Knockhill for the fourth round of the Classic Racing Motorcycle Club championship where we stood at the top of the championship. The last time I went to Knockhill I was 6 maybe 7 and even then I obviously didnt pay any attention to the circuit as I couldn’t remember anything about it. Most of the CRMC lot were in the same boat though, there was only Ed and a couple of Scots that had done it before.

We had two practice sessions on the Friday afternoon which was probably just as well as it gave us all a chance to know where we were going. It’s quite a technical circuit to be honest, there’s lots of up and down corners and a fair few of them have a nasty camber but all in all it wasn’t too bad. The first session went well, we just took it steady and built our speed up as each lap went on. From what we could tell there were only two people that could give us any trouble, these were the Scottish lads; young Colin Lewis and his passenger Mikey Reid and his old man Alistair Lewis (Lewi), these boys were both quick. Matt Kingsmill, our championship rival was having trouble with top end power. Our second practice session was going equally as well as the first until we got a puncture in our rear tyre coming out of the hairpin, so that was that. We got back to the paddock only to find the valve on the back tyre had completely exploded and all we were left with was the rubber, not good. Luckily though we managed to get it fixed and was all set for Saturday’s racing.

Saturday was quite cold with the breeze but the sun was still shining and that was all that mattered really. Race 1 then, we started from pole and felt quite comfortable knowing that Colin and Lewi had to start from the back of the grid. However, this was all about to change…. We got quite a good start and went off the line with Matty, we followed him for a lap and were catching him up, he just had a little bit more grip coming out of the corners. We came out of the hairpin and back onto the start/finish straight and to our amazement Colin Lewis came flying past us…. race on. We overtook Matty and were closely following Colin, we just couldn’t find a way past him though, he had more grip coming out of the corners and by the time we caught him up again on the brakes, we were exiting another corner. In the end Colin won by just over a second so all credit to him for doing so well.

The second race was pretty much the same as the first one, however we couldn’t keep up with Colin as well as what we did in the first race as he got a better start. Again though it was a case of we’d catch him on the brakes and he’d pull away coming out of the corners. Colin, however got lucky with the back markers and was able to get through them without any problems, we however had to wait before we could get past them. Again all credit to Colin, he is a fantastic rider.

Sunday, however brought rain… by the the bucket load. There was standing water everywhere on the track, it actually looked like a river. I actually dont mind racing in the rain, especially because you have to use your head, anybody could passenger in the dry but in the wet it’s a completely different story. Our back tyre wasn’t filling me with confidence though, it’s supposed to be an all weather tyre, it actually looked more like a slick we’d run on the Formula 2s.

Race 1 – Conditions still hadn’t cleared up by the time we went out to race, if anything they’d actually got worse. We went out on the warm up lap and we were slipping and sliding everywhere, the back end was letting go and the front was washing out…. what a nightmare this was going to be. Still, it’s a different story when the flag drops. We actually got quite a good start and we 3rd into the first corner but was hanging back a little bit, which was probably just as well cos Matt had tried to send Colin grass tracking then Colin had tried to give him some back and then they eventually managed to get themselves in a straight line and get going. We eventually overtook Matt but could really get going anywhere because everytime we tried to it tried to send us spinning off into the gravel. Colin had cleared off into the distance to the point where we couldn’t see him anymore and we had a comfortable lead over Matt so we knocked it off a bit. He was creeping up slowly though and by the last lap he was right up our arse I gave Ed a bit of a squeeze to let him know and now we were riding defensively, luckily for us Matt spun on the right hander just before the flat out left which gave us a comfortable 2nd.

Race 2 – The rain had stoppped now but the track was very greasey which I think is actually worse than being proper wet. At least when it’s wet you know it’s going to let go, when it’s greasey sometimes it does let go and sometimes it doesn’t, you have to treat every corner different. We got a bit of a pants start to be honest and was now in fourth place with Colin out in front, Matt second and Mike Bellaby 3rd. We managed to get past Bell at the flat out left hander, but Matt proved more difficult. Once we did get past Matt we left him but it was all too late to catch Colin up as he was the length of the start/finish straight in front. We cruised round to take our fourth 2nd of the weekend.

I quite enjoyed Knockhill, it’s not my favourite circuit but it’s not my worst either. Colin Lewis is definately one to watch out for, Ed reckons he could be the new Jock Taylor!

Darley Moor CRMC Round 3

It has to be said, when the CRMC calendar came out at the start of the year, both me and Ed were shocked to see Darley Moor was on the list again. Last season we didnt have the best of luck there after having overheating issues and snapping a throttle cable, and I was sure we had the Darley curse upon us so wasn’t looking forward to it at all.

As we set off on Friday night I didnt have that same buzz that I usually get when we set off to a race meeting and was sure the weekend was going to be 100% disaster. However, after looking at the weather forecast which said we were set for sun all weekend, there was still hope.

We got up early Saturday morning to get signed on and scrutineered and so far the weather forecast had been right. I was a lot happier too and felt as though the bad omens weren’t as bad as they seemed, either that or maybe id got used to having a pee in an outside toilet again, who knows, either way I didnt have the hump anymore

Practice went ok, we were definately the fastest out there, the trouble was we both wanted to go faster. We did have a little problem with a small miss fire again, but nothing too serious and it was just a case of changing the jets.

We were race 6 of the day and by now it was quite hot. It wasn’t the heat that bothered me, it was the flies, they were bloody everywhere. There’s nothing worse than been stood in the holding bay when its hot and you’re a little biit stressed and one persistent little fly keeps dive bombing you! We were on pole position for the race which was good, however we needed to get a good start and be first into the chicane otherwise it ends up like bummer cars and grass tracking. We didnt get a good start. We were down in fourth or fifth by the time we got to the chicane but 3rd by the time we got to the first hairpin which wasn’t so bad. We beat Simon Smith and Dave Gristwood in the esses and were closing on Matt Kingsmill. We were by far the quickest through the esses, taking it nearly flat out in top…. marvellous. We closed a lot on Matt Kingsmill by the time lap two came round and again going into the esses we got him. We didn’t really see him again after that, but I kept checking behind us just to make sure he hadn’t found more power from somewhere. We finished the race in 1st place with a comfortable 10 second lead and a new lap record!!

The second race was very similar to the first one, again we had trouble getting it off the line and got bogged down more, so consequently had to play a game of catch up. This suited me as it gave us a bit of a race and made us go faster. We had a bit more difficulty passing Matt this time and I think we got him on the left hander before the top hairpin but cant quite remember now. After we passed him, we were never troubled again so we knocked it off and enjoyed ourselves. We finished about 10 seconds in front of Matt again and broke the lap record for a second time!

Saturday night was good, there is no club house at Darley so the CRMC had organised a big marquee and a band to play who were very good. It turned out to be a very enjoyable night with some good banter.

Sunday we got a nice lie in as no engines can be started until 10am. This suited me fine as I had aches and bruises from the day before. We didnt go out for the sidecar practice, which is just as well really because I was only just getting out of bed when they called it. We were hoping for another good day and wondered if we could break the lap record again.

We were again on pole position for the first race on Sunday and didnt have quite as many problems with getting off the line but were still 3rd into the chicane. We again got Matt just before the hairpin I think and again were on our own after that. We did have to negotiate some back markers at both chicanes but all done without a problem and still finished 10 seconds in front.

The next race was a little bit different. This time it was us that was first into the chicane from the start and with hard breaking and taking a tight line into the first hairpin there was no way anyone was coming past. We had already created a big gap between us and Matt by the time we got to the second chicane and after the 3rd lap we could no longer see him so it was a case of cruise round and pick up the points. We were actually unaware that Matt Kingsmill/Alan Bedford had actually blown up half way through the race, which meant we finish 33 seconds in front.

There were no lap records to be broke on Sunday, but neither of us were bothered, we’d not put a foot wrong all weekend and the bike was just superb. Ive actually just looked up the lap times from the F2s at Darley and we lapped quicker than 80% of them on our little classic….. what a good do!

Our next CRMC meeting is Knockhill on 12th/13th June where we hope for the same results. Id also like to wish Nigel Mayers and Joe Shardlow good luck at the TT.

Vics

Mallory Park CRMC Round 2

Team Eddy’s travelled to Mallory Park at the weekend for the 2nd round of the CRMC championship, unfortunately this was only a one day event.

Me and Ed were fairly confident about the weekend ahead as we’d had the bike on the dyno for a whole day during the week, just to see if we could get rid of the little miss fire we had. Thanks must go to Paul at Dynobike because he did a cracking job and managed to smooth everything out.

Luckily we got to Mallory on Saturday night in time to get signed on. By the time we’d done that it was time to go enjoy a few drinks in the bar and have a general catch up with people. There was a really good buzz about the racing with everyone I spoke to, which is nice as the CRMC were struggling to get ten sidecars on the grid only a few years ago.

Woke up Sunday morning to cloudy and cold weather and me not feeling too clever, think I had a dodgey burger the night before. Tried to get some settlers from the medical centre but was told if i took them, i wouldnt be racing so didnt bother.

Practice went well, no miss haps and wasnt struggling anywhere so I was looking forward to the race and apart from feeling a bit sick everything seemed to be A ok.

Me and Ed were both really excited about the race and couldnt wait to get out there. There was a few delays due to crashes and oil on the track and we eventually got out on track at about lunch time. So the flag dropped and we got bogged down and pretty much everyone came past us, not a good start at all. We did a couple going round Gerards but there was nearly a disaster going into Edwinas. Someone pulled in front of us and slammed on the brakes so consequently Ed had to slam on the brakes just as I was moving, by which point ive now got the top of my crash hat on the floor with both legs in the air thinking to myself “Ed pull me back, otherwise im coming out” Luckily though he did eventually pull me back in and we got going again. We were now running in about 6th but by the 3rd lap we were second. I could see Matt Kingsmill and Alan Bedford way out in front and thought we’d never catch them, we managed to get them though on the 5th lap down the start finish straight and we pretty much cleared off then. We were both chuffed to bits with the win and even more chuffed when we found out we’d taken the lap record.

The next race was less eventful, we managed to get off the line ok and was 3rd by the time we got down to Edwinas. We sat behind 1st place Matt Kingsmill and Alan Bedford for lap before out braking them into Edwinas on the 3rd lap. Again we pretty much cleared off again so I took the time to pose on the bike and generally show off to the crowd. We took the win with a comfortable lead, but I didnt feel like we had gone any faster so we were suprised when we found out we’d broke the lap record for a second time….. what a good do.

We’ve both had a very enjoyable weekend and the results from Mallory now put us just 7 points off the top of the championship which we hope to improve on at Darley Moor on the 15th/16th May.

One little quote from Dick Hawes, a bloke that has definately been there and done it, think he still holds the record for the most TT starts as a driver – “What a`great meeting. That Vicky Cooke must be in the running for the best Lady passenger ever, and I have watched Rose Arnold[Hanks] Terrie Salone, Arger Neuman, and so many more. Great credit to Eddy for going so hard.” The was definately a huge compliment, so thanks for that Dick.

New lap record CRMC Mallory Park – Wright/Cooke 1.03.476 May 2010

Vics

Andreas Racing Association: 11th of April

The second ARA meeting nicely scheduled to coincide with my Birthday on the 11th of April soon came round. My Brother made the trip over from Newcastle to help out, he arrived on the Thursday evening, in plenty of time to help out with the final preparations, and we even managed a curry and pub crawl in Ramsey on the Friday night with my pals from Ballaugh, well it was my Birthday weekend!!
Sunday morning (race day) soon came round with an early start. The weather couldn’t of been any better, with clear blue skies, and the temperature forecast to be 18c degrees, better still there was no breeze to speak of!!
We arrived at the airfield for 8.30am, and got a decent spot to set up our camp. I went to sign on while Simon took the bike to be scrutineered. I could see the Scruts looking over my bike from the portacabin, and could tell they weren’t happy with a couple of things. Turned out the steering damper was fouling the steering lock, and they had a moan about my race numbers not being to the regs, apparently they should be on a matt background, not a shiny one. I have to sort the number boards before the next meeting, and had to sort the steering damper issue out before they would let me out on track. We made the adjustments and were eventually given the go-ahead!
It was to be a busy day up Jurby, with oversubscribed classes, we had 43 entry’s in the 600cc race, according to the program. I wasn’t sure that I’d even qualify for this one with a maximum of 32 bikes allowed in each race. The Clubman’s had 21 entries so I was guaranteed at least one pair of races today.
My first session got under way with the first lap led out by the course car, one of the corners had been reprofiled due to the track surface braking up, it just pushed us out a little wider onto the back straight and didn’t cause me a problem. The course car pulled off and our first 10 minute session got underway, led by Dan Kneen, it was a busy session and I hung back a little to allow myself to get a good run and not bunched up with other riders. The session was soon over and it was time to take on some fluids (tea) before the next session that was due to start shortly after.
Before I knew it both sessions were over and it was time to break for lunch, I went to check out my grid positions and times while the kettle boiled. I had qualified for both classes, 28th place in the 600 race, and 12th in the Clubmans open class, running about 3 seconds a lap quicker than the last meeting in March, not bad for a standard motor, I was chuffed with my times!

The first 600cc race got under way soon after lunch, I got a good start making 2 places on the first corner holding 26th position for the first lap, the second lap I made another 2 places and was in 24th place running wide in lap 3 and loosing a position. While starting lap 4 I hit a false neutral and ran off the track, balls! I ended up finishing 27th.

The Clubmans race got under way soon after, starting in 12th position. By the first lap I was in 9th place, making a good start, losing one place in lap 2 I held 10th until lap 4, loosing another place into 11th. After a bit of a dice with a group of riders towards the end of the race, I got battered down the back straight and finished lap 6 in 14th. It was getting hot on track.
The second 600 race kicked off at about 4pm, I put in a good performance all be it a bit of a lonely one, don’t remember much about it but held 20th for the full 6 laps.
I had one more race to go, the Clubmans. I was starting to suffer with the old arm pump. I got off the line and hit a false neutral shifting from 1st to 2nd, getting beaten up before the first corner, there was a near off in the first corner with bikes banging fairings all over the shop, I had to nearly stop to avoid getting taken out, by the time I got going I was in 15th, holding this position until lap 4 and finishing the next couple of laps in 16th, absolutely knackered!

A good result looking back, my best to date for sure. I made some mistakes but I also pushed the bike harder than ever, decking out the engine case cover and scraping the fairings while cornering, shaving 4 tenths off my best lap time so far. It was time to head home for some well deserved Birthday celebration beers, and a tasty madras to soak it all up!!!!

Next meeting on the 2nd of May!!

Pembrey Round 1 CRMC

Easter weekend, Team Eddy’s travelled to Pembrey for the first round of the CRMC championship. After narrowly missing out on the championship last year, we were on a mission to clinch it this year.

We got there on Thursday night for the practice day on the Friday. After keeping an eye on the weather forecast all week I wasn’t very optimistic as we were expecting snow!

So friday morning we got up, thankfully it wasn’t to snow but to heavy rain. We debated weather or not to go out at all as it wouldn’t do us any good, so consequently missed the first session but luckily it started to brighten up. Things weren’t so lucky with the bike though as we had a terrible miss fire, so we came back in changed a few things and to our suprise still had this miss fire. We had this all day and couldn’t work out what was causing it. We didnt get one fast lap in all day which was a shame as thats what we were going to do.

So saturday we woke up again to rain, but there was nothing we could do. We’d changed yet more things to the bike in hope that it would work. We did practice on Saturday morning, and still it was miss firing. This was going to cause us serious problems in the race if it carried on. Race 1 then, normally we’d get a flyer off the line but instead it just bogged down which meant 6 or 7 people had passed us, so it was time to play a game of catch up. We nearly ran into the side of Damien Perilleux and Nancy Detournay when they spun at the hairpin but now we were on a mission. We passed one or two on the first lap but the others were now a long way in front and we were down in fourth. Ian Johnson came passed us on the 5th lap and I was now start to panic and get frustrated. Luckily for us though Ian and Kev broke down on the last lap putting us back into fourth which is where we finished. So Matt Kingsmill/Alan Bedford took then win, Simon Smith/Dave Gristwood came second (their highest finish yet), the Latherons 3rd and us in a lonely fourth.

We got back to the paddock and came to the conclusion that four 4ths wouldn’t be so bad, but we would have to make sure there were no more hiccups in the meetings to follow. We were sat outside contemplating on what to do next when John Simper (Mike Bellaby’s mechanic) came up with a good idea and something which made perfectly good sense. We’d had the chassis powder coated, which meant the engine couldn’t earth properly which was what was causing the miss fire. So it was all hands on deck to file away the powder coat in time for the next race.

The next race was even wetter than the first one, but me and Ed were both confident we could do well now after sorting out our miss fire problem. The flag dropped and the bike was back to its old ways, it was a missile off the line. By lap one we were already up Matt Kingsmill’s backside and followed him for a lap or two. I was having a difficult time trying to get some grip out of the back wheel, it felt like we were on ice it was sliding around that much. We passed Matt on lap 3 or 4 and pulled away from him a bit, still sliping and sliding as we went. At one point going through Honda curve we had that much of a slide on we were facing the paddock, not what you expect really. We finished the race with a comfortable lead of four seconds, which is really what our morale needed.

We were hoping for the same on Sunday, but by now our back tyre looked like a slick after all the sliding on Saturday. The rain had gone now, but the track was still damp in places and if you drifted off the dry line, it was leathal. We had a fantastic first race with Matt Kingsmill again, we’d close on him going into corners and he’d pull away again coming out, it was a game of cat and mouse really. We nearly passed him on the last lap at Honda curve but he just had that little bit more grip coming out and clinched the win, so well done Matt.

The next race was a bit more eventful on our part. Sat in 2nd place on the grid the flag went up to start the race, Ed must have got a bit carried away with himself as he went flying off the line before the flag had even begun to drop. Luckily I noticed and thumped him on the back about ten times to make him stop and turn round. So the race was re started and all we needed now was another start like what we’d just had and we’d be away. The way our luck was going though i should’ve known better that it wasn’t going to happen. We got bogged down again off the line and again six or seven people passed us. We managed to get passed 4 or 5 going into the hairpin and got into second just before the back straight. What I didnt realise was, we were now racing with no clutch which had just given up on us. So i screaming at Ed telling him to go faster and stop being a muppet when changing down, whilst he’s having a battle to change up and down anyway. 8 laps is a long way with no clutch and you’re on your own in a lonely 2nd, but 2nd is where we finished and picked up 20 points so cant complain really.

Overall it was a good weekend when the bike was running right, but we’ve got three weeks now before Mallory Park on the 2nd so its enough time to sort out all our little teething problems. Our thanks must go to John Simper, without him our weekend, and probably our championship would’ve been ruined. It wasnt the same racing without Brian Gray though who missed Pembrey due to his bike not been ready, so hurry up and get your bike sorted.

Im at Thruxton next on the F2 with Nige on the 17th/18th April with BSB for the first round of the FSRA Championship which im looking forward to.

Vics

Cadwell Park 21st March

Well first meeting of the year and after nearly 6 months off I was definately ready for it. Got to Cadwell for about lunch time on Saturday and suprise suprise it was raining. Went to watch a bit of the sprint racing, which I will add is the most pointless racing I have ever seen, but whatever floats your boat I suppose.

Id planned to get scrutineered on Saturday but by the time Nige and Margaret got there and we’d put the awning up on the cara-shed it was too late so the bar was the only option. Was a bit worried actually when we got to the bar as it was dead and I thought it was going to be a bit of a quiet meeting but there was a few people in there that we knew. So from there it was straight to bed.

Woke up to Pete Hillaby’s (clerk of the course) voice shouting that we were all going to be late to scrutineering so jumped out of bed only to discover it was half seven. Hmmmm. Got to scruntineering had no problems and went to sign on with no problems, so we should’ve known it was too good to be true and that something was about to go wrong.

First practice then and I was really really nervous, I think it must’ve been because it was the first meeting of the year really. By the time we got to the holding bay, I was ok again. Practice generally went ok, it felt good to be back on the bike again and my new leathers weren’t really causing me too many problems. We were supposed to be running an engine in and whether we didnt do enough steady laps or it was just one of them things, something was about to go wrong in a big way.

I thought we’d take the first race fairly steady as it was only four laps but as soon as the lights go out its very difficult to make yourself do enough steady laps. Id had a look at the programme before hand and thought we could probably finish 3rd or 4th and I think we might have just got a 3rd. However coming out of the old hairpin it started making nasty noises and pissed oil everywhere so we pulled into the pit lane with me calling the bike every name under the sun. As far as we could see the engine had gone pop and that was going to be that.

So after spending an hour or so feeling pissed off and frustrated it was time to pick the bike up from the pit lane at lunch time and again I spent the next hour or so mooching about. Nigel actually reckoned it was something to do with the timing casing bolt coming off, actually im not 100% sure that was what he’d said as i’d stopped listening by that point, all I know is, he’d gone to see if anyone had a spare. And they did. So Nige decided to fill it back up with oil and see how it sounded, he reckoned it sounded ok, so thought we’d give the second race a try.

So second race, and we didnt even get as far as we had done in the first race as we stopped at Hall Bends on the first lap. Oh well that was that. So it was an early bath and a crap start to the season.

Another thing thats annoyed me and probably Nigel, we’ve now got to do Thruxton, the first British Championship round, on a standard engine, so might not even qualify, so we’ll just see how that one goes.

Off to Mallory on Wednesday with Ed on the Imp and then its Pembrey a week on Saturday so lets hope that goes better.

Vics

Ready to go

Well things are coming together slowly.

I have been flat out for a few days building bikes etc, as Paul Dobbs is running one of Neil’s 600′s at the NW200 the 750 is converted to 600. Not a huge job but it means the obvious engine swap along with the complete wiring loom / throttle bodies and air box.

href=”http://richardgr44n.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/21032010146.jpg”>

After the TT the reverse will happen so that I have a 750 for the MGP. I plan on booking a track day at Oulton Park later today for Wed 24th (this coming week) now that we have some bikes ready to roll. It will just give me the opportunity to run in the rebuilt 600 engine and ease myself into things ! Hope the weather is better than this time last year, I would have been better off with a jet ski.

The bikes aren’t in the finished livery yet as a few sponsors are still to confirm so they are as they finished last season. Neil was on the phone from somewhere in the far east this morning checking on the progress of things, he’s snowed under with work and I think he would jump at the chance of being home for a few days to get his hands dirty!

I will confirm if I book a test for Wednesday so if anyone’s not to far away pop along and say hello. Keep you all posted.

Huge thanks for the support, Ian and everyone at Hallett Aviation Racing.

Andreas Racing Association 14th March 2010

Thats the first race of the year kicked off yesterday, and a busy day it was up Jurby! Conditions were dry and bright, but cold and blustery!

We had the bike loaded on the trailer and the car packed and ready to go by 8am, and made it to the airfield shortly after.

My first qualifying session got under way by about 11.30am, after the usual sign on, set up of our awning unload the car, crack the generator up and several hot cups of tea later!

During the second lap, one of the front runners Johny Hegginbottom went down at the final chicane destroying his bike and taking a general beating, this caused a red flag. It was a early warning that track temperature (cold) was causing issues.
The session was eventually re-started after being held for some time on the start line, great cold tyres then!
As I began to get some heat into the tyres shorlty after the re-start, about lap 3 the red flags came out again, another cold tyre incident. This time the rider didnt get up and was ambulanced off to hospital.
We eventually got restarted once more, with all the interuptions it was difficult to find my rhythm and I struggled to get a good lap time in, ending with a time of 1.24.9.
I was due back out for my second qualifying session shortly after, with enough time to get the tyre warmers on and take in some fluids (hot tea)!
The second session went without interuption, I managed to put another 7 laps in shaving nearly 2 seconds off my best time in the first session, with a 1.23.07. However was really struggling with the high winds that had picked up, in particular down the back straight, having to lean off the side of the bike all the way down the length of the straight to keep her in a straight line, arm pump began to set in!

It was clear that I was going to struggle to improve on the day, with the earlier red flag’s and the high winds I decided to keep it safe and collect my signiture at the end of the day with bike and rider in one piece.

So the next four races went without any serious drama’s, I had some good dices with a couple of the lads on track, one rider leaving his knee slider mark down one side of my fairing after a bit of a close pass on one corner. All in all a good day and a successfull return to the track.

It was good to see plenty of friendly faces up at Jurby, with lots of encouragement and support from many, togs, competitors and spectators alike, We even had a chat with Nicky Crowe. I was a little envious of Oatsey spectating from the comfort of his mobile home tho..

So it was great to return with the bike looking as good as it did when we set off that morning, and after a long winter lay off Im happy with the end result, its another signiture on my licence!

Thanks to all who have offered there support, I couldnt do it on my own!

Mitch’s season preview 2010

[IMG]http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee161/BigMitch41/2009/2010/NewYear2010100.jpg[/IMG]

Its just about here, the 2010 race season!! Ive got my test session tomorrow afternoon up at the Jurby Airfild circuit here on the IOM. Ive got to admit to feeling both excited and slightly nervous, as looking out my window theres snow lying on the ground!
Its come round quick and Ive had a busy off season, rebuilding the race bike after my off at the end of last season. Thanks to full time team member Quilly for all his help getting the bike to the awesome shape that She’s in now, cheers mate!. Dale & Colvin motor body repairers who did the fantastic job on my new fairings, There name is proudly displayed on my fairings. Thanks should also go out to Vinylmark signs who supplied the decals for the bike. And last but not least thanks Roadracingsupporters.com and all its members for all there help and support allong my racing carreer so far, I couldnt do it without the help from all my sponsors!

Ive not only been working on getting the bike in shape during the last few months, Ive been training pretty hard as well. Since Christmas Ive managed to loose a stone, and managed to completely recover from the injuries I picked up last year. Ive been going on regular hikes, both around the West of the Island and using the Mountain for a work out too, Ive got Tower Bends return to my office in Ramsey near the quayside down to 35 minutes, thats quite a climb.

Tony Goldsmith has offered to do a team photoshoot, so hopefully will be adding some quality pics once weve decided on a location, unfortuanately with my ugly mug on them!!

And finally were off on a family holiday on Wednesday, off to Tenerife for some sunshine and rellaxation, Ive been warned to stay in one piece during the test session tomorrow by Her indoors, so its steady away!!

Fingers crossed there’s some togs up at the airfield tomorrow, and I will be able to add some pictures allong with my report after the day.

All the best!

Mitch #128

Mitch’s Race Dates 2010

My race dates confirmed so far, recieved my Regs and Entry forms yesterday and posted my entry for the first two meets March & April back last night! Ive began looking into club meets accross the pond and will add in once ive decided on what date/venue I go for, watch this space!

Testing -(********CANCELLED DUE TO SNOW*********)
Sunday March 14th: Airfield
Sunday April 11th: Airfield
Sunday May 2nd: Airfield
Saturday May 22nd – Road Meeting
Sunday June 27th: Airfield
Sunday August 1st: Airfield
Sunday September 19th: Airfield