RACE REPORT FOR CADWELL PARK 7TH AND 8TH JUNE 08
Back in the Saddle
After missing 2 rounds and Brands and 2 at Snetterton following my high side at Brands during practice I decided I was fit to race again. My arm is far from being fully repaired but I can ride, so I'm going.
My comeback at the most complicated and technical track that I have been to so far - fantastic idea?
I felt a right fraud in my "No Fear" T-Shirt - cos fear was all I could be sure I had packed - I had it by the bucket full. Not just the pre race butterflies but proper fear, the crash at Brands really shook me up and it was going to take a lot to get back out there.
Practice was a blur - mainly of bikes coming past me. The qualifying race was much the same and not helped by that fact that it was raining. For the Saturday final the rain had stopped, I knew the track had a reputation for staying wet for a long time after rain stopped, so I had no intention of changing to my dry tyres. A 125 racer in the next camp advised me that I should change to drys, but in these situations you have to do what you think - so I stayed on my wets. Down in the pit box every combination from full wets to slicks was evident. On the warm up lap it was clear that the correct choice was dry tyres - damn. I decided to just go gently and get onto the few damp patches that were still on the track. Even with these excursions my times came down, so a good result - and I think I was the only rider on full wets that did not ruin them.
Sunday qualifying went OK I got off the line and tried to follow the rider in front of me, but could not get close enough to really learn anything from him - the theory is to follow the guy in front and learn from him but you actually have to be able to stay with him. So I spent 5 lonely laps getting steadily faster and knocked 10 second off of Saturdays time.
For the final on Sunday I wanted to get a good start and stick with the guys who were quicker than me. On the line I revved the bike and was almost on the red line when the lights went out - with a good deal of clutch slip I shot away and made up a few places and was tucked in behind one of my targets. Things were looking good. We shot up the hill into the left hander and then my target pulled to the right - I soon realized the reason why - there was a Ducati 1000 going up the hill about 20mph slower than us, I could not see a way past so tucked in behind him until he romped away on the next straight taking my target with him. I was unable to get back on terms with either of them and spent 4 more laps on my own. I managed to get about a second faster than in the morning and felt a lot more relaxed.
I have very mixed feelings about the weekend - I was disappointed at how much the fall at Brands has knocked me back, but over the moon that I have got back on, ridden a new track while not 100% fit, the finish in the final means that I no longer have to wear my Orange "wally" bib. I'm also glad that I am disappointed with my result as this will spur me on to get back on the pace. The next round is at Donnington and I have been round there on a Fireblade and really like the track, I've got 4 weeks to get fitter. Watch this space.
A big THANK YOU to Wayne and Mike at Mayors for screwing the bike back together its as good as new. Cheers guys much appreciated.
 |
 |
|
