blog

Close Racing On The Snetterton 300

Mon, 14 May 2012 15:21:53 +0100

Snetterton 300

21/ 22 April 2012

Hey Peeps,

Quick report, following the weekends racing at Snetterton, on the new 300 circuit.

I set off for the Norfolk track at 4.30 pm and unfortunately due to mad traffic on M25, M11 and A11 I did not get there until 9pm……jeez what fun!

Having arrived at the track, I got myself tucked into a spot outside the garage I had allocated, and got the bike/ kit safely tucked away for the night.

Once settled, I met up with the usual crowd and had, my now compulsory, hug with lovely riders rep Trudi.

From there I made a bee line for the bar where not surprisingly I met the Ghost brothers Rod and Phil as well as Deano and the lovely Janet.

I managed to get ejected from the bar, by an over zealous member of bar staff, for drinking a can of larger, which had not been purchased at the bar, point was, I was about to start buying more from the bar.

It was not long before I was tucked up in the back of a very cold van, and there I slept until 6.30 am.

Bike and kit sailed through Scrutineering and once prepped it was a case of waiting for our one and only 15 minute warm up and qualifying session.

To put things into perspective, I had not been able to ride the track in its first year, last year, as my bike had failed on the first warm up lap. Coupled with not knowing the track, I had not been able to attend the full days practice day on the Friday which most of the front runners had attended!

As with Brands Hatch (and every round this year) I needed to bang in my fastest possible time in a single 15 minute Qualifying session, and with this track, I had to learn it at the same time!

I qualified 4^th in Class and was pleased to have picked it up quickly. My grid position was on the 4^th row and would now be for all 3 of the weekends races.

Our first Championship race was first race before lunch. I was nervous as I seriously had to pick the pace up and do it pronto.

Race 1 came and the weather was lovely, dry track and sun shining.

Red Lights out and we were away! I got a really good start and found myself taking a number of places as we approached the fast right hander, hectic first few corners meant quite a few bikes getting balked and fighting for position.

It was apparent that the first two bikes in Class had disappeared, as was expected, as the slower of the two was at least two seconds quicker than me in qualifying.

I realised that I now only had one bite at a Podium finish and that would be 3^rd.

I got into a quick rhythm and felt comfortable, until a number of missed gears allowed Tom Halifax on the Number 12 bike and Dave Jenkins on the 96 bike to blitz past me.

I managed to reel them both back in pretty quickly and now it was going to be a three bike battle to the end for 3^rd place.

We battled hard and swapped places several times before it all ultimately coming down to the last corner and drag to the line!

As we came out of the last corner Dave Jenkins was on my right side and seemed to miss a gear or get affected by the rumble strip as he dropped back and I just thought that it was it 3^rd place was mine.

I tucked everything in, bum in the air, head down and just dragged to the line.

As I approached the line suddenly Tom Halifax came along side me on my near side and we were having a drag race with his biking slowly gaining a lead.

I looked ahead and searched for the line hoping that I would just keep a gap and keep the place.

The drag race went to Tom Halifax who managed to pip me into 4^th place by 100’s of a second.

It was a fantastically close race and although gutted not to have bagged the 3^rd spot I knew that I had now learnt the track and it would be all to play for tomorrow!

Quick change into my glad rags in the back of the van and bike prepped for its overnight stay in the garage.

My mate Martyn Ratcliff ‘Ratty’ had rocked up nice and early on Saturday morning and was there throughout Qualifying and Race 1, offering me plenty of advice and good old fashioned support.

A couple of drinks in the bar and then it was bed down time in the back of the van, as per.

Ratty had a little surprise that he told me he would give me in the back of the van!!! Sadly it turned out to be a little gas heater sponsored by Dan the man Imberg, cheers buddy ;0). The heater was awesome and kept me lovely and warm, note to self, gotta get one!

Sunday and main race day was now here.

I was considering not doing the warm up session as it was on a damp drying track, which I had sorted out yesterday, but I decided to just go out get the feel of the track again and then just come in after a couple of laps.

Warm up lap done, bike prepped and ready to go it was just a case of waiting for our first race of day two before lunch.

Race 1 came and I managed to get a good start, which thankfully is the norm!

I watched as the front cluster of Class A bikes and the two quickest Class B bikes disappear into the distance again, so I knew as per yesterday’s race, that my battle was going to be for third place.

The Race was a stonkin one and again came down to a battle between me and Tom Halifax with Dave Jenkins joining the foe mid way. Whilst Dave battled with Tom Halifax and it all got a little messy, I was able to undertake the pair of them mid corner. It was now a case of trying to keep distance between us to the line.

The laps seemed to go on for ever and I was suddenly passed by Tom Halifax out braking under the bridge at the end of the back straight.

I chased Tom Halifax down and we blatted over the line with about a bikes length between us. I was on a mission.

Having got my head down, after a few corners the red flags came out, race over, gutted!

The rules are that in these circumstances the race result should be taken back to the last full lap which would have me in front of Tom Halifax and in podium 3^rd place, fingers crossed for that……

Word was going around the paddock that the race was going to be declared a non event and so zero points or podiums which no one was happy about including me. A short while later the rumour was that the race would be declared a result and several of my mates hunted me out to congratulate me on my 3^rd place position under the race rules.

Not long after that it was finally rippling threw that the race was declared a result but that to make it a result they were going to take the results as they finished on the red flag so before I knew it I was busted to 4^th…..grrrrrrrrrrr…..NOT HAPPY.

Now I was angry and totally determined to get a podium 3^rd in the last race of the day, game on!

Race 2 came around mid afternoon and again the sun was shining with a bone dry track.

Another good start had me up at the front in class but there was a lot of getting balked in the first few corners and I had lost a few places very early on…..no way….I immediately got my head down and had taken back the few places I had lost within a few corners, nice.

I settled in and felt comfortable before long it was back to myself and Tom Halifax battling and we were swapping corners hand over fist, Tom was catching me through the inside section of the track and I was catching him on the outer faster parts of the track.

I now put my mission into action and having taken Tom Halifax on the outside of the fast right hander into the chicane before the start finish straight, I just kept it pinned everywhere, holding onto 3^rd place and finally a podium finish and silver wear out of the weekend…whoop whoop!

Mission accomplished!

My thanks again to Ratty for the help and support including Becky who kindly gave him a weekend pass ;0)

All to play for now at Anglesey, North Wales….come on!

Championship Season Kicks Off At Brands Hatch

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 17:58:03 +0100

Desmo Due Championship

Round 1 Brands Hatch

10^th/ 11^th March 2012

‘a mixed bag ’

Hi Peeps,

Wanted to give you a quick run down on our first outing of this years Championship season at Brands Hatch on weekend of 10^th & 11^th March.

So, it was all a tad last minute, nothing different there then!

I ran the newly rebuilt bike and engine up to Dyno James in Bedford on the Monday to get the bike a run-in and Dyno power check.

Got the bike and kit all ready to go, on the Wednesday evening, after work.

Myself and the kids Rochanaa & Jay headed off to Brands Hatch in the van around 7.30 pm arriving down at the track by around 9.

We found our garage and parked up, after being told to move once we finally touched down. After a little time with friends we were back to the van to bed down.

5 min’s taken to pump up the airbed, kids in their pj’s and into the large sleeping bag.

The alarm went off at 6am and after several ‘snoozes’ I was up by 6.30 to get the kids sorted, before getting me and the bike through Scruter’s.

The bike sailed through Scruter’s as did my kit and so we were good to go.

I was shocked to hear (with about 15 mins to go, that what I thought was going to be ‘free practice’ was infact our one and only ‘qualifying’ session.

Mmmm, I had about 10 minutes in order to get onto the first track I’d been on in more than a year and set my fastest time.

Thankfully I did manage to set a reasonable time putting me on the 4^th row among the fastest in class.

My mate ‘Ratty’ Martyn Ratcliff was along for the weekend in support and helped me sort out my gear lever which needed adjustment to get it right as I did all of qualifying in no more than 4^th gear!

Our 1^st Championship Race was set for the afternoon and so it was just a waiting game, which I hate, as the nerves start to build up slowly.

Race 1 eventually kicked off and I managed to get a good start making it stick into Paddock Hill and Druids (1^st two Corners) and held my position in 2^nd place until a red flag incident stopped the race with about 4 laps to go.

I was chuffed that I had managed to bag a 2^nd Place and a Trophy in the 1^st race of the season, which both the kids were happy about too, so I was also secretly proud as punch!

I prepped the bike with fuel etc and put it to bed for the night.

The kids and I grabbed a bit of dinner in the track restaurant and then spent a couple of hours having a good chin wag with fellow racers and the lovely Kev and Trudi Palmer in their very swish new racing motor home ‘I want one!!!’

The next days weather was as lovely as the first and it was clearly going to be a good days racing.

In the morning we had a ‘warm up’ session to get back into the track and then we kicked off before lunch with Race 2 and 1^st of the day.

My start was not as good as in the Race 1 and I found my self struggling to get through and settle in. I was slowly eaten up as I kept missing gears, simply trying too hard!

I came in 6^th place and was frankly extremely peed off, so all to do in Race 3 and the final race of the day.

I prepped the bike, had lunch and then waited for an age as we were last race of the day.

Race 3 finally came around and we were on the grid, I felt good and I was well pumped up as I was still peed off about my earlier performance.

Out went the red lights and I got a great start putting me right up there among many of the Class A bikes and not many of Class B around.

The 1^st lap went well and I settled in quickly. I was in 2^nd place and the mission was to stay there. I had to keep the pace full on as I knew I would have Dave Jenkins and Scott Wilson close on my tail.

After approx’ half way through the race I was having a shadow of a bike chasing me down the start finish straight towards Paddock Hill, which I assume was Dave Jenkins. Thankfully I was holding my own and out braking him into the fast corner each time but it really was going to be hard to hold him off as he had been flying all weekend.

We were now into the back markers and lapping many of them but I was just thinking please don’t get in my way as I stuffed if you do.

Everything was going to plan until I came up against a back marker who was entering Paddock Hill, I had to slam the anchors on as there was also yellow flags meaning I couldn’t overtake. This completely stuffed me and allowed Dave Jenkins and Scott Wilson to get past me on the other side and they were away. I gave chase after a lap the race was halted due to another red flag incident and that was it race over.

When I came in Ratty confirmed that I had finished the race in 4^th, just off the Podium.

I had mixed emotions as I was gutted I had missed out on another 2^nd place but also chuffed because overall the weekend had been nothing but positive. I had had my beautiful kids with me for the whole weekend. I had one a 2nd place podium in the 1^st race of the season. The bike which had let me down so badly the year before had done me proud and both me and it were in one piece, safe at the end of the day.

All in all a good start and now all to play for as the season goes forward to Snetterton on the 300 track on 21/22 April.

Hope to see you there.

Laters Peeps ;0)

Halo Leathers Road & Race

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 16:34:00 +0100

Hay Peeps,

Halo Race Leathers are now here and I have a set for Race and Road next year.

The photo shows the higher quality Road going set which are very good quality

I went for additional badges with the NI Flag, Arai and Ducati Corsa as well as my kids names on the arms.

Can't wait to loosen them up next summer!!!

More Stuff - Well, the DD build will be starting in earnest at beginning of Jan so looking forward to crack on with that.

Went up to the NEC bike show for the 1st time recently and have to say I was not overly impressed!

The free style x games live stuff was good as was seeing the new Panigale in the flesh but I think I'll stick with my Evo for now. The savings that everyone raves about where not really there so was overall pretty disappointed, not wanting to go again me thinks!

Take it eezeh ;0)

Danny Imberg and Michelin Power Cup

Sun, 25 Sep 2011 13:36:21 +0100

Big Congratulations to my mate Danny Imberg, the Ginga Flya from Flitwick who rapped up his winning of the Michelin Power Cup at Oulton Park on his Kwaka zx6 after being at the top spot on the podium for mo of the season,good work matey hats off to you sir! :-)

BSB Silverstone

Sun, 25 Sep 2011 13:07:39 +0100

Had a day up at Silverstone thanks to my mate Jason Bozwell and Hospitality of the 848 Challenge Cup of which he is the organiser.
I was very impressed with how big the series has gone this year and can see just how big it is going to be in the future!

Met up with several peeps from DD and got to meet M Laverty after he had bagged another Pole in the series.

Lost count of the amount of big names that either walked past or buzzed past on their paddock scooters.

Spent a bit of time hanging out with Wilf in the Moto Rapido garage which was buzzing as they not only run a bike in the 848 series but a full BSB bike ridden by Scott Smart.

Twas a good day with the only downside being the slow train of outside lane hoggerz bumper to bumper pretty much the whole way back to London which seriously gripped my brown stuff!

The 2011 848 evo and what to do in 2012

Sun, 25 Sep 2011 12:31:22 +0100

Hi Peeps

Well I've been spending most of my free time putting my new Ducati 2011 848 Evo through its paces and loving every minute of it!

As soon as I set eyes on the 2011 Evo in white fairing and red frame and wheels I just had to have it.
Ducati had gone away and sorted early model issues aswell as finding an extra 20 horses.

The 848 really is an awsome bit of kit and is by far the best Ducati I have ridden,it's stylish,top notch breaking and effortless to ride hard :-)

So iv been thinking hard about what to race in 2012 annd just kept coming back to feeling that I have unfinished business in class B Desmo Due.

I have decided to build both a competitive bike and engine for 2012 in DD and really go forit!

Hay Peeps it's been a while!

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 16:13:33 +0100

Howdy folks,

Sorry for the late update!

So, what's been happening for me on the racing front?

As you know Round 1 at Brands Hatch was my best racing, by far, but unfortunately, it continues to be so. I really had hoped to build from the success and to go from strength to strength, but alas it was not to be.

I dropped Round 2 at Mallory Park, because I just hate the place, although, now I know they have FINALLY re surfaced it, I may give it a go next year.

Round 3 at Anglesey (my favourite track) was very fast paced and I fought very hard for a 3rd Position Podium finish in the 2nd Race, which I was pleased with as it meant bringing home another trophy for my Son Jay who loves them!

Having dropped Mallory I was depending on continued top finishes to remain in the Top 5, but sadly not being able to fully prepare and maintain the bike this year ended up with Rounds 4 & 5 being completely blown out due to mechanical failure, zero points and no racing out of 4 races, gutted!!!

I came back from Round 5 at Pembrey completely frustrated but with a total focuss on getting the bike sorted for the next three rounds.

The engine will soon have had a complete top end rebuild/ refresh, with new piston rings and valves lapped in. Once the engine is back in the bike it will be a trip out to see dyno Guru Nick at PDQ for a full run and set up.

I am on a mission now to have the bike fully prepped, better than ever, to come back strong for the last three races of the season.

Fingers crossed for the bike being in tip top condition and me back to racing and winning trophies.

I'll let you all know that all is good and keep you up to date on my progress from here on in.

Till then, keep it real!

Brands Hatch and a New Era!

Fri, 18 Mar 2011 22:21:56 +0100

Like the Churchill dog would say Ooooooooooooooooh Yes!

Peeps, to tell you about my DD Championship Round 1 at Brands Hatch.

I decided not to have a freezing cold night in the van at Brands as most of the week I had been scraping solid ice off the windscreen before work. So Friday night I was Mr Snuggles in the warm, mmmmmmm, aaaaaaaah ;0)

I had fully packed the van and filled the jerry can up with fuel earlier in the evening on Friday and it was just a case of get up and go at 5am. I left the house around 5.30 and headed to the track. Not surprising the roads were dead, and I just sailed along to Brands, taking about 45 mins to get there. I arrived at the back Paddock Entrance gate to be greeted by chained up gates and no sign of life. Normally there would be vans already there so after about 5 mins I decided to re locate to the main entrance where the security said, very matter of fact "oh ye we aint usin that gate this weekend", ya might wanna let peeps know that as there is nothing to say that at the gate! "ye right", I don't know if they ever did, numpties.

I located Pit Garage number 31, I had decided to share a garage for the first time and quickly met Kev Palmer getting out of his pit and his lovely wife and Riders Rep Trudy, sporting some very fetching baggy fleece leppard skin PJ's. Got the bike off the van and into the garage and then prepped it, fuel, tyre pressures etc.

Thankfully Scrutineering was close to us and I lined up in the que of riders and their bikes at around 7.30. The bike sailed through with flying colours and so it was back to the garage, quick superman change into my leathers etc for it all to be checked seperately. Kit all done, and then off to 'signing on' to have my 2011 ACU licence checked and more importantly hire my Transponder for the day, it records the times (important!)

Once signed on, it was back to the garage via a stop off to grab a coffie and bacon roll, mmmm, yummy. Whilst walking back I saw Flint, of the Prodogy, getting ready to race, as was Real Road Racer Maria Costello. Neither of them asked for my autograph......lol....how rude!

It was now just a case of waiting about for our 1st practice session, I hate the waiting about, which was due to be a 15 minute 'non timed' session. I thought to myself that I would use most of it to scrub in the brand new dunlop Qualifiers and new front brake pads.

I was only about 3/4 of the way round on lap 1 in the 1st Practice session when I just decided to go for it sticking behind Kev Palmer who had been setting .59 second laps from Fridays Test Day. Both the front runners Kev and Ron had both been there, getting tuned in, all day Friday so I knew that I had to dig deep and right from the off! I managed to stick with Kev and quite comfortably. At the end of the session I was full of confidence for Qualifying.

We had to now wait for around an hour or so for our Timed Practice session and so I just tried to keep it cool and chill whilst thinking about my plan. My plan was to hook up behind Kev Palmer again and also the quickest rider on track Ron Jolley. Stick with them and I'll be doing ok.

The time came round quickly and before long I was lining up in the Assembly Area ready for the off. I spotted Kev Palmer and went to get behind him but he was soon away down the pit lane and I was playing catch up. As we got out on track Kev was a few hundred yards in front and heading off quickly. I reeled him in as quickly as possible as I new if he suddenly puts his wrist down then I'll never catch up. Before long, after a couple of laps, we got into a flow with clear track and I could feel that we were tonkin along. We were having a bit of fun putting as much pressure on eachother into corners as we dared, you don't want to crash in practice, I did it at Castle Coomb last season and my day was over before it had even started!

With Timed Practice over Trudy got the 'time sheets' and we had done top notch. Sticking with Kev had really payed off and with low .59 laps I was 4th quickest in class, set up nicely on the front row, along with Kev, my mate Phil (Ghosty) and Ron Jolley, who was gonna be the man to beat if anyone other than him wanted 1st place. To give you an idea of how significant .59 laps were, the year before the top three bikes in class were all on 1.01 laps and .57 is the fastest lap ever set at Brands on a Class B machine with Class A's fastest at .55's.

I now just relaxed, changed into my casual clothes, prepped the bike, ready to go, and then it was a long wait for our first race after lunch at 2pm. I had a bit of lunch with Martin and his wife Becky who were down for the day, thanks for the visor de-mister matey, it worked a treat ;0).

Before lunch I had tracked down the mighty ginger Imberg, sporting numbers which I had quickly donated first thing in the morning after a phone call from him saying, "so where are the bloody numbers for sale then, I havn't got any bloody numbers'....lol......we got him sorted!

Danny had a nice crew sorting his bike (how the other half live!) which included his Dad Mr Imberg (pappa smurf to the crew!) who had a weird idea by soaking Danny's rear slick in petrol, we kept shtoom about that....lol.... good move Daddy Imberg might have put him off if you'd told him!

Should not have eaten lunch with Martin and Becky as I don't normally and now felt a full.

I got myself changed into my leathers with about 20 mins to go before the first race and then I just bimbled about close to the garage, thinking about me, the bike, and the race ahead. I decided that my main target would have to be Ron Jolley and I was going to go flat out to mix it with him if I could.

Race1 was upon us on the button at 2pm, and I have to say I was well up for it, full of confidence from a quick Qualifier, which had put me on the front row of the grid in class. When I was lined up on the grid, on the front row it felt soooo good and I just felt, that today, things were going to happen!

Having re grouped on the grid after the warm up lap, this was it, the starter (Phil) removed himself from the track and pointed the red flag towards the lights, rev's up to 7k rpm and clutch to biting. Red lights came on and after 2 seconds they were out and we were away! I got a really good start and found myself not loosing any places. I was tucked in against the wall at the start (as I would be for both races) and so was going into the first corner at Paddock Hill tight. The few front Class A bikes were quickly away and soon I was into a Class B battle with Kev Palmer and Ron Jolley, I was so pumped up for it and all I wanted to do now was win. About half way through the race I was in the lead, and I found that after a while I was in a comfortable lead, set up to win my first dry championship race. Come'n you can do this!

With about 7 laps to go (both races were set to be 18 lap races) suddenly the bike became very noisy from the exhaust and as soon as it happened I just shouted NO! I kept my pace on continually shouting out loud 'don't do this to me' and a few f's and c's were thrown into the mix! There were no bikes threatening me (that I was aware of) and I just thought if I'm not Black Flagged then I'm gonna just keep it on the track and win. My worst fears came true after a lap when I caught a glimps of what appeared to be a Black Flag at the end of the Pit Lane (meaning get off, your finished). I kept going, but after seeing what I thought was a Black Flag (I was not sure) and then several riders off at the side of the track, I felt like something was not right and I wondered if I was causing riders to fall off because of losing oil. This thought just meant there was no way and I slowed right down. Ron Jolley soon came blasting past pointing down to the back of his bike, then Kev came past doing the same and I quickly surrendered. Left hand in the air, coasting back to the Paddock on track. I pulled off the track and just could not contain my frustration, screaming and shouting in my crash hat and thumping my tank to within an inch of it's life. When I pulled up in the Assembly Area I looked down to see that the whole exhaust race can/ silencer was gone! Bollocks! Oops! Martin and Becky where outside the garage to see me back and to share in my frustration. My first ever race win was gone in the blink of an eye or should I say exhaust!

Martin allowed me time to calm down and re gain my composure, soon he was helping me to get the bike sorted and bike out on track for the second and last race of the day. One thing was certain, I was going to go out again and look to make up for the earlier loss and I now knew, I was just as quick as Ron Jolley!

I grabbed my exhaust can from the Marshal who had kindly walked and picked it out of the gravel at Clearways and Martin and I got it back on the bike and secure within about 30 minutes. A hammer, brute strength and ignorance did the job nicely.

We were now the last race of the day and the sun had decided that he had had enough so it was now cold, overcast and there was the odd spit of rain in the air.

Race2 was finally upon us and soon we were again in position on the grid ready for the off. One quick warm up lap under our belts and it was eyes towards the lights again. Red Lights on and I decided to go on 2 seconds but unfortunately for me they had decided to throw a spanner in the works by varying the time, the result, an unfortunate jump start! Crap lets hope they didn't notice, ye right.

I headed off on a mission and was again soon into a battle with Kev and Ron, a repeat of Race1, which was exactly where I wanted to be. I settled into a good flow as did Kev and the running was pretty much Kev, Ron and myself. Kev looked comfortable at the front and myself and Ron battled for 2nd place continuously until kev made a mistake into the esses before clearways which allowed Ron through into 1st place and me into 2nd. for the remainder of the race myleft and Ron continually swapped places between 1st and 2nd place almost at every corner and boy it was close! Ron kept catching me at my weakest point on track, the left hander at the bottom of Graham Hill but I knew that I could stay with him with the chance of fighting to the last in Clearways through to the line. I was in the lead for the win but again Ron managed to have me back at the left hander at the bottom of Graham Hill and I was chasing him towards the esses. Through the esses I was inches off his tail and on the approach to Clearways we were totally on it. We went into Clearways with Ron on the Inside Line and I tried to give it as much beans as I could round the outside but we were right on the limit and I really didn't want to throw it all away with a last minute crash. We came out of clearways with Ron about a bikes length in from and that is how we crossed the line. What a race! Really hard fought and a seriously new era for me and my racing.

Danny texted and rang me to break the bad news that I had officially jump started with a 10 second penalty putting me down in 9th place! Damn. I was gutted but actually felt as if I had won both races so for me it was how I was feeling about myself and how I had raced which mattered more than anything.

Later when the time sheets became available it was quickly confirmed that even with a 10 second penalty I had still managed to get 3rd Place, so nice Trophy and a bottle of wine, result and a nice way to round off an awsome day!

Filled with confidence now for my next races at Anglesey on 28th/29th May and set up nicely to continue well so fingers crossed.

My thanks to the Fitwick boys Danny, Martin and my Tyre Sponsor 'DebbieJorma' of Staines

Roll on Anglesey ;0)

The Spanish Sun and the track of Monteblanco

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 21:50:12 +0100

Hi Peeps,

Having fully prepped the 748R (Gnasher) and brought him back to life, after he died at Snetterton last year with a knackered clutch, it was off to Spain for a full weekend of serious thrashing around the Monteblanco track. Gnasher was looking superb and the slick tyres were begging to be ripped.

Myself and part of the Flitwick Massive, Danny Imberg and Martin Ratcliff, all headed off to Spain for the last weeknd in February and it was 'kin awsome ;0).

I arrived out in Spain near Saville late evening on the Thursday and met up at the hotel with Danny and Martin (who had arrived earlier in the day) at around 22:30 local time. Danny and Martin had already had a tank full and looked worse for wear, ready for by bys.....bless!

I stayed up and had a couple of pints before hitting the sack around midnight. Thankfully the complete stranger that I was sharing a room with ....lol.... I had rudely woken him up earlier on my arrival to let him know I was sharing a room with him, which, it was quite clear, came as a total shock to him. Anyway, thankfully the two twin beds which had been together where now seperated to an acceptable hetrosexual distance so I was happy as I'm sure he was or maybe not, who knows!

After a crap nights sleep (snoring) (not mine!) I got up and we had breaky then off to the track to see it for the first time. On arrival the Sun was already out and the first look at the track said 'oh yes!'.

I popped down to the local garage in the Flitwick love wagon (Daewoo Matiz) to fill up the petrol cans for the day and before long we were out on track, with the sun splitting the stones.

The awsome Frachi Chilli was in a garage only a few garages away and he was out on track for the weekend, during which I just had to get a pic

The weather was sooooo hot all weekend at around 25 and the Monteblanco track did not dissapoint. It was great to be on slicks and not to have even the slightest threat of rain.

The track itself was very technical with the scariest corner I have ever riden, a completely blind incline, that needed a lot of bottle and of course the right freekin line every time!

Day one on the Friday was getting to know the track and saturday was all about getting as quick as possible in order to put in the fastest times on the Sunday.

Gnasher ran all three days faultlessly and was totally in his element, as was I, I just got quicker and quicker, as did everyone. However by the end of play on Saturday I was stuck on over 2.02 a lap and I was getting frustrated. Danny and Martin were both under the 2 minute lap with Danny way down to 1.48 which was fookin flyin. Even Frachi Chilli came looking for him to tell him he was going really well ;0)

On Sunday it was last day and quickest times to be set. Danny set me a mission of getting under the 2 minute lap and I was determined to do it. With each session in the morning I felt quicker but remained on 2.01 and so after a nice break for lunch I made it my mission to get me and Gnasher under 2 minutes.

I went out in the first session after lunch and came in having got down to 2.0 dead. Right game on, next session, balls out and find at least another second. So out on track it was relatively clear as a lot of peeps had decided to sit out the afternoon sessions. I rode the ass off Gnasher and felt much smoother and quicker. I knew I had been quicker but by how much. When I came in Martin was waiting at our garage and told me I was still over two minutes "until you did this" showing me the stop watch at 1.59! whoop whoop I had done it and what a great way to finish off a feekin superb weekend.

Had a great laugh with me mates Danny and Martin as well as all the No Limits lads and of course the lovely Clare, weather was top notch as was the track, the bike and the larger.

I'm still doing laps in my head of Monteblanco and don't think I'll forget the place easily.

New Workshop!

Sun, 23 Jan 2011 21:16:03 +0100

Hi Peeps,

Quick update.

I have finally turned the garage into a fully functioning workshop, with work already started to prepare the 748R for euro track time next month.

Great to have good comfortable facilities to work in and to know where everything is.

The heavy duty motorcycle stand/ lift is a godsend, just wish I'd got my finger out a lot sooner! Usually after a days working on bikes on the ground I'm on painkillers for a moolard back for several days but the lift just makes life very easy.

DD bike will have its pre season strip down and systems check towards the end of next month.

Will be attending the New Era annual Presentation/ Dinner on 12th February with the DD crowd. I have a reason to go this year as I won some silver pots ;0)
Looking forward to meeting up with Danny Imberg and Martin Ratcliff who should be there as well, as Danny Imberg won this years Sound of Thunder Championship, good work Mr Imberg!

Take it easy you lot.