Photo Credit, with thanks to: Bonnie Lane
Round 3
Friday was dry with damp in the air for free practice. Rain could be felt and seen on the visor but grip was available, just not 100%. With this I got off to a good start in the testing conditions, finishing the session in 3rd, but was uncomfortable on the bike which we had set quite open to generate feel and to track the undulations of the circuit.
Come lunch time the clouds had let go and we were faced with a wet first qualifying session. I was quite happy with this as it gave me a chance to try my bike in the wet, and was also easier on my injured foot I had damaged in training.
We finished the wet session in 11th with a good initial setting and feel.
Qualifying on Sunday came from a scare in the Night following an allergic reaction. I suffered anaphalaxis to a serious state, and had to leave the circuit in an ambulance. I was passed to ride on Sunday but had to do 2 laps to make sure everything wasn’t coming at me to fast, so to speak, and from their I pushed on.
I didn’t feel well, but put a time in to qualify 11th which I was happy enough with, given the situation.
Warm Up. We tried something different with the bike, and it worked. I was more comfortable on the bike and even did a good practice start, which is something of a rarity for me!
Race
A good start put me in the mix and I made some places in the first turn.
On the first lap I got caught with Jess Trayler and a gap began to increase. A contrast in styles was clashing between me and Jess, who was very late on the brakes but slow in the mid corner, which made him very difficult to pass. When I got by he would out brake me again, and this continued until he collided with me in the chicane which allowed 2 riders passed and nearly ended with us on the floor.
I got back in to action, but was struggling to get in to rythem immediately. As the race panned out I finally got passed Jess with enough of a gap to hunt down a rider in front, but on lap 10 Tom Tunstall had an unfortunate highside coming out of Shell Oils Hairpin which would red flag the race.
I finished the race in 8th position, and was happy because I had set my fastest lap on the last lap of the race.
The times were not as good as what I have shown before, and in general I feel I haven’t shown my potential so far. But with this said, we have moved up to 7th in the Championship and I am ready to work hard to get to where we need to be, and where I know I am capable of being.
I want to thank everyone for their support. The whole team, with special thanks to my mechanic Dave and his lovely wife Karla, Charlie and Lisa, Julie and Richard from Walters Medical, Mick and Dave – Mototrombo, and Simon and Karen for their long lasting support. New thanks go to Ursula and PFC Brakes for her support with PFC’s excellent brake pads.
Further thanks go to everyone again for helping me on saturday night, it was scary at one point, and without their assistance it could have been a lot worse, so thank you, in fact I can’t thank you enough.
Special thanks to our collective sponsors, who have made this fantastic effort possible.
www.putoline.co.uk – The best High Performance Engine Lubriation.
www.held.de – For 1st class rider protection
www.jtsprockets.com – Downshift is geared using JT Sprockets
http://www.ftwco.com/ – Downshift’s apparel of choice – Shirts on our back, at home, or at the track
http://www.moto-master.com/ – The best brakes around are stopping Downshift this year.
http://www.dynojet.co.uk/ – Give us the figures we want to see. BHP.
www.gbracing.eu – Engine Protection
https://www.directdistributionservice… – Buy your consumables today.
www.k-tech.uk.com – Downshift turn and grip with KTECH Suspension Components
http://www.bellhelmets.com/ – The choice of Crash Helmet for Downshift. Light, Strong, ready for P1.
http://www.pfc.parts/ – Gives Downshift stopping power with superior brake pads.
www.venhill.co.uk – Providing fast lines, Venhill Brake Hoses.