Jen Crosby's Racing Blog

Monday August 21, 2006

Snetterton Race Report (stiff and sore...)

Well that was certainly a weekend of ups and downs, and I think the hardest race weekend for so far. But, overall, I'm fairly pleased. So here's what happened....

Greg and I managed to leave at a reasonable time on Thursday afternoon, only to find that there was an evening trackday on at Snetterton, meaning they were queuing people up outside the paddock until 8pm!! Luckily Rob, being the star he is, paid to get himself on the evening session, so got a garage sorted for us all – thanks Rob, that was just brilliant! We set up with Rob, Conrad, Jay, and Greville across a double garage. Everyone slowly turned up and the usual nattering went on throughout the evening – I always love the buzz on a Thursday evening when everyone arrives; people haven't seen each other for a few weeks, and everyone's excited about the weekend ahead, it's just a great atmosphere. With what felt like a pretty big day ahead, we went off for an early night.

Friday morning and I was unbelievably nervous. All that waiting and wondering over the past few weeks was now about to come to head. Would I be able to ride? I'd not even tried getting into my leathers yet! I don't think I've ever felt so sick before a practice session. To make it worse, it had been raining overnight, and the track was wet. At least we were the last session out – with three other sets out before us I was hoping the track would dry a little. With lots of help from Greg I got myself ready to head out - leathers on – that hurt  and climbing on the bike also hurt a bit, but I wobbled out of the garage tentatively down pit lane, and out onto the circuit. I took it very easy, not just because of my shoulder, but also because the track will still damp in places. So first corner, I can steer at speed reasonably ok, the counter steering seems to be ok, next corner also ok, then down the back straight and time to test whether I can brake hardish....seems to be ok – I can feel my shoulder is weak, but it's not painful. The thing most suffering is my body position, I can't really seem to hang off the bike very well, but it didn't feel too bad. I gradually wound it up, only a little each lap, testing whether my shoulder could handle it, and amazingly, it felt ok! I knew after that first session that I'd definitely be racing over the weekend, I could absolutely do it. And that was such a weight off my mind!! With the prospect of not racing off my mind I could get out and concentrate on other things. The track dried out throughout the day, and I went out for 4 sessions in total – not wanting to overdo it before the racing – and I even managed to get within a second of my previous best lap time, so I was pretty happy with my progress.

Saturday morning arrived so quickly, and yet again, the nerves had kicked in. Although funnily enough, now I knew my shoulder would be ok, I was more nervous about doing well, and getting good points to get 4^th in the championship back. I'm getting good at putting pressure on myself  The practice session went ok, and being out in race 2, it was soon time to get out there for the first time of the weekend. So there I am, sat in collecting, about to race only 3 weeks after breaking my collarbone. What the hell am I doing?? Well, it's too late, so I just have to put it out of my mind and concentrate. I think back to how desperate I was to be out this weekend, how much it meant, and how there I am sat in collecting, waiting to race. It could so easily have gone a different way, and I would have been distraught. If I'm going to go out, I need to give it my all, or there was no point in putting myself through all the anguish that I have.

Round the warm up lap I take a few deep breaths, and pull up to the grid ready. Lights on, lights off, and I made a good start and was initially mixing it with the usual guys. Round the first lap and I had James just in front of me, but then I got overtaken by a few of the SBK400 guys, and soon James seemed out of sight. I found myself battling with Dave Shannon (SBK400) who eventually got the better of me, and then on the last lap Bob Turner pulled up along side me for a drag race down the back straight. In a comedy moment we both stared at each other for a second running side by side, each willing the other to brake earlier. He got the better of me on the brakes – good effort there Bob! But I reckon I'd be ok as I was better than him out of the final chicane and I was sure I could get him for the line. Except that I missed a gear into the Esses and ended going round it in neutral!!  I kicked it back into gear and found third which locked up the back a little, losing me even more drive, and there was no catching Bob from there  I had no idea, but I'd crossed the line in 5^th, and more importantly ahead of Rob Pragnell who'd overtaken me in the championship after my mishap at Brands. It was a good race – I'd got a new PB lap, although not by as much as I'd have liked really. I got back to the garage absolutely shattered – much more tired than I've been after a single race before. Three weeks with no fitness training, and with my body trying to heal itself had clearly taken it's toll. I had no idea how I was going to manage another race!

But of course, manage I did. Race 2 was pretty cool actually. While putting my tyre warmer on after race one Nige had noticed that my back brake had been stuck on for the whole of the first race!! I turned out that I had actually bent the bolt that the foot peg had been on when I crashed at Brands, but I'd not noticed when I put the new peg on. Because it was bent the peg was putting extra pressure on the back brake lever meaning it wouldn't return when pressed. I don't use the back brake during the race, but I do use it off the start line to steady the bike, so it had been on right from the start! We found a new bolt (thanks to Paul Davies!) and refitted the peg, and it was much better. Maybe I'd get a bit better speed down the back straight now  So out for race two, and I find myself battling with Bob Turner and Dave Shannon again. I managed to overtake them both in the first two laps, and throughout the race I could hear bikes right on my tail. About half way through the race there was a yellow flag at the end of the back straight for a bike down, but Dave Shannon passed me on the brakes. I was busy thinking about that, and there was a bike down between the Esses and the Bombhole too and it put me right off my stride; Bob took advantage and flew by at the Bombhole. Dave clearly realised he'd gone by on a yellow, and he moved over to let me by at Corums, not realising that Bob had got by too, so both of us went through. At least Dave isn't fighting us in the championship, but I think he wasn't best pleased! After that little battle I got my head down, knowing they'd both be on my case, and I kept myself ahead for the remainder of the race. It was a top race – I really enjoyed it, and I managed to take another second and a half off my lap time!

Saturday evening had lots of events for a big charity thing, including the Feisty girl auction, but I was just so tired after everything that we ended going to bed early instead! I had an ok nights sleep, but it was raining on and off all night which kept waking me up. It looked like Sunday was going to be one of those nightmare days when you just can't tell whether it's going to be wet or dry. I was in two minds about whether to go out for practice as the track was still wet, although it wasn't actually raining, and I didn't want to change my wheels only to have to change them back again for the race. In the end I decided to go out on the dry wheels for practice and just get an idea of how the circuit felt. I only did a couple of laps and came back in, but it was enough to try and get my head in order. The weather was all over the place, rain, shine, rain, shine. I decided to leave the dry tyres on for the time being though. Race 1 in the program was Conrad's – and just as they went out to collecting it started to throw it down again, and they sent them back with a 10 minute gap to change to their wet tyres and run under wet conditions. I took the decision and the opportunity to change my own wheels, as my race was immediately after Conrad's. Greg was a superstar yet again, sorting the back wheel while I did the front. By the time we went out the rain had stopped, but the track was very definitely wet, and sure enough in collecting everyone had made the same tyre choice. At least if it began to dry we'd all be in the same boat.

Lights off, and I made a superb start and flew by loads of riders. By the time I got to turn 2 I had no idea who the riders around me were – it was all SBK400 guys, so I figured I must have got ahead of all of my fellow C400 racers. This was my first time racing on wets, I've only ever done a few laps on them even on track days. They felt ok though – a very different feel to the SuperCorsas and they do seem to move quite a bit, but nothing too disconcerting. I make it round the first lap, but just gave it a little too much gas on the exit of the chicane and the bike nearly, oh so nearly, highsided me! I was out of the seat, head in the screen and in my head I was off, trying to work out whether I could land on my non-bad side! But suddenly to my surprise I was back in the seat – it took me a second to realise – and I just got back on the throttle and carried on! Racing in the wet felt a bit like just trying to survive to be honest, just stay on the bike and finish! It didn't really sink in until very late in the race that I was actually leading! After what felt like an age the last lap flag came out, and I just thought, I have to stay on the bike... I got through turn one, which was starting to get pretty dry on the racing line, and into turn two, but I tipped in too early, and went wide on the exit running across the white line and the nasty tarmac, meaning I couldn't get the power on and Gary Henning came flying underneath me. Bugger!! Ok, concentrate, just keep going, it's only a few more corners, just stay steady... just at the last moment I got pipped AGAIN, this time by James Williamson, and finally crossed the line in 3^rd. Words can't describe – I was SO annoyed with myself for giving away what could have been my first win in the last lap, after leading the whole race. I was slamming my tank as we came in on the cool down lap. I got off the bike (in agony with my shoulder now for some reason) and threw my gloves off, and much swearing and anger ensued. I just couldn't believe I'd thrown it away like that – how stupid!!!

It took me quite a while to calm down, and I'm sorry to those who had to listen to me bitch about it, I realise I was a touch snappy... I'm still now really gutted, but putting it into perspective a little I'm still very pleased to have got a pot at Snetterton, as I didn't think it would be somewhere I'd do that well, let alone with a broken collarbone. But I'm still really, really gutted.

By the time race 2 came round I have to admit I was just wanting it all to be finished. I was so emotionally and physically drained after everything. Yet again there was a lot of messing about with the weather, and in the end we had to change the wheels yet again, for the dry tyres this time. Huge thanks to Greg for skinning is knuckles doing my back wheel again, and also to Rob for helping me with the front which wasn't playing ball either. Sorry for being snippy with you! Lights off for the final time, and I made a pretty rubbish start as it was, but about 30 yards past the line and I suddenly found myself on the back wheel of Tim Jones who was going very slowly! I slammed on the brakes to avoid hitting him and pulled a stoppie missing his back wheel by what must have literally been millimetres. I couldn't quite believe I hadn't hit him – it was so close! But I made it round turn one, in last place  I managed to pass about 4 bikes before the lap was up, but my head just wasn't in it. Gary Henning's bike started pouring smoke out of the back from the Esses round to Russells which really scared me too, as I figured there would be oil on the track, and between that and my incident off the start, I just couldn't get my head in gear. I pootled round, and didn't lose any more places but just couldn't gain on the riders in front. My lap times were rubbish, 5 second slower than the day before. I felt like pulling in to be honest, I wanted the race to be over that much, but I knew I'd need to stay out just for the points, so I held on. I ended up finishing 6^th, so got some reasonable points, so it was worth it in the end. I've even now managed to get my 4^th place in the championship back.

So that was it. To be honest, right now I feel utterly drained. That was by far the hardest race weekend I've had to do to date. So much went on: my collarbone, messing with wets, nearly crashing, losing the win, getting a pot, getting out at all.... On the one hand I'm really pleased with my results – who'd have thought that I'd be racing at all, let alone getting the results I did? But stupidly I can't get out of my head that I should have done better. (what is that all about??). Last night I had a terrible nights sleep, woke up really early this morning just mulling it all over in my head. I ended up getting up to write this in the hope that it might clear my head a little. It hasn't worked quite yet :-S

I owe a really big thanks to everyone for all the support and help I've had this weekend – Greg especially, but also Rob and Conrad, Loz and Nige, Greville, Toby and all the guys and girls in the LP/Raven garage, and everyone who stopped by to see how things were going. A huge well done to Greg Pearson this weekend for some superb kick-arse results, you totally deserved them and I'm chuffed to bits for you. Also a big well done to Kat and Lisa who showed just how strong they both are this weekend – top stuff girls! Also well done to Steve P, great result after a tough start, I'm so pleased for you! (and you're a cheeky git!!) And Greville – you're my hero Grev, I'm so proud of you for getting out there this weekend with a broken shoulder blade and clearly in a lot of pain. I'm *so* happy luck was with you this weekend, you did brilliantly. And finally a huge get well soon to Moosey who had a horrible crash on Friday and has broken her ankle and collarbone.

Wow, this is a long report...sorry about that, I just needed to say it all!

( Aug 21 2006, 09:40:37 AM GMT+00:00 )

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Wednesday July 12, 2006

Race Report - Cadwell Park - points consolidation

The weekend started off with me getting very stressed. After picking the bike up on Wednesday morning I was hoping to fit and bleed the brakes, as well as pack up the whole van ready to leave after work the next day, all before leaving for work at 1.30. Or not. I put the brakes back on, and quickly discovered that I'd put the banjo bolts on the wrong way round, so I had to undo those and turn them around, of course letting more air into the system in the process. I tried bleeding them, but couldn't get them to firm up at all. :o( With only half an hour to go before work I hadn't loaded anything but the bike into the van, so I quickly chucked a load more stuff in – although not all of it – and headed into work. I felt very disorganised and was in a bit of a state!!

I ended up having to pack the rest of the van up when I finished work at 9.30pm, and then it was straight off to bed for an early shift the next day. With the working week behind me, I finally got on the road at around 3.30 and made the long and boring journey up to Cadwell Park. I didn't stop all the way up there, and by the time I arrived I was totally shattered and in a bit of a bad mood. As ever, my fab mates, Loz, Nige and Greville helped to get me all set up in super quick time, so I could get started on bleeding my brakes again. I still didn't manage to get the lever as firm as it ought to be, but I decided to call it a day and get myself some dinner before getting an early night. I'd just have to hope that the brakes felt alright once they'd been ridden a little...

Up for practice, and I discover we're out with the Superteen 125s...that could be interesting down the straights!! More concerning though was whether my brakes would work or not. That and knowing how much time I needed to knock off my rubbish times from the last track day before I felt I would be competitive. So out I go...and the brakes are monumentally bad!!   Really spongy, no power at all, and just downright scary! I pulled in after about 3 laps, having tried to give the brakes a few sharp tugs to wear the pads in, but I'd dared not open the throttle and get up to any kind of speed for fear of not being able to stop!! Once back in the awning I set about trying to bleed them yet again, and managed to get some more air out, although it still didn't seem to feel quite right. Nothing else to do but go out and try again. Thankfully, this time it seemed to have worked – the brakes finally felt like they ought to! A big sigh of relief from me – I had visions of me not getting it fixed all weekend!! On pulling back in from that session I at least felt that now I could really start working on getting faster – but apparently I'd already managed that! Loz had timed me 4 seconds quicker than the track day just in that one session!

The practice day went otherwise without hitch, I knocked another second off my times, but still wasn't hugely excited about my pace, but I guess I'd just have to wait until the race to see how I'd really get on against the rest of the class.

I had a terrible nights sleep on Friday and woke up ridiculously early Saturday morning. I was definitely feeling nervous – I had no idea how quick other people would be, or even how quick I would be in a race situation. It's probably the most unsure I've been about a race since the very first one at Brands in March. Still, with the morning practice over, the race was upon me. We were sharing the grid with the Thunderbikes again, with them being at the front of the initial grid. I was gridded 25^th on the right hand side of the grid, and as we came around to line up I realised just how far back that was! The lights and the flag man at the front were miles away! What made it worse was the narrowness of the track – the density of the bikes ahead seemed impenetrable, and the only visible gap seemed to be to my right, except the pit wall was there, only about 2 feet away. There was no way I was going to head towards that! The flag marshall in the distance signalled us to head off on the warm up lap and my practice start yet again saw me miss second gear. After kicking myself for that and vowing to do better when the real one came along we all made it round to form up the grid proper. I struggled to even see the flag man up ahead due to the number of bikes in front, but managed to catch a fleeting glimpse just as he pointed up to the start lights....and we were off! I made a pretty good start off the line, made it ahead of most of the 400s, but got horribly swamped into a very scary and messy first corner. I'm not sure where down the order I came out in that lap, but I certainly lost a fair few places during it. I was determined to get some of those places back though, as I knew I was faster than them, so I got my head down and made chase. I managed to make quite a few places back, but as usual with it being a mixed grid I had no idea where I actually was in the C400 race. By mid race I was tiring – Cadwell is so long and such a physical track – but I knew I just needed to hang on a little longer and keep my focus. Finally in the last lap I got taken by Jeremy Balls just at the last minute – gutted!! Turns out Jeremy had taken 4^th from me, but I was still pretty pleased with 5^th, and I'd managed 3 seconds a lap quicker.  I was happy with that, especially as I'd come into this round with no real expectations of getting good results.

Second race, and I was definitely in the swing of the race weekend now, and I was looking forward to getting back out for another go. I'd managed to get myself up to 14^th on the grid, so not only was my view of the lights better, but I could also actually see clear track into the distance ahead of me, instead of just bike after bike. It's incredible how important that is psychologically. After messing up the practice start again, I made a good proper start and just settled into the race. A few laps in, a bike showed me a front wheel going round the old hairpin – he made me sit the bike up a bit, but I knew I'd have to hold my line to keep track position (and stay on the tarmac!) so I tipped it back in, and figured I'd better get my head into gear if I was going to stay ahead. I knew it was a 400 – you can always hear if it's a twin behind you – but I didn't know whether it was a 400 from my championship, or one from the Thunderbikes, so of course I had to play it safe and make sure I stayed ahead. For several knackering laps I managed to stay ahead, but I could hear the bike behind me and I was very happy to see the chequered flag when it finally came. On the cool down lap the bike behind me rode up alongside to shake hands – it was Dave Shannon, a thunderbike competitor. Later in the paddock I thanked Dave for making me get my arse into gear! Another second off my lap times – and for once I was actually quicker in the afternoon than in the morning!

We spent Saturday evening with Loz, Nige Pat, Aaron and the Palmer boys scoffing a huge amount of pizza very kindly collected by Mandy, Helen and Greg who drove into Louth. Top grub!

Sunday morning started with the dreaded rain – not proper rain, just the odd brief spat of fairly hard drizzle. I did the three lap warm up with my dry tyres on – it didn't look as though it would be all that wet and I wasn't planning on gunning it anyway. Out on track the only damp patches were in the woodland section, and they weren't actually that bad, mostly on the exit of Barn out onto the straight. The rain kept coming on and off though, and it was a really difficult call as to whether to switch to wets. I watched carefully as the two races before me went out to see what tyres people were running. In the end I decided it was definitely not wet enough for full wets and went down to collecting on my SuperCorsas. Looking around the holding area there were a couple of riders on full wets, and some with just wet fronts like Toby and Greg P. The rain had stopped, and the ground wasn't really wet, so I was happy with my choice, and it was even confirmed again as we rode round for the warm up lap – even the woodland section was pretty much dry.

The usual lights on, lights off and I get away well again from 14^th on the grid, finding myself ahead of Gary (championship leader) and just behind Greg. I really wanted to try and hang on to Greg – he's a fair bit quicker around the circuit and I could do with getting a tow around. I stuck with him for a little while, but then a few of the faster thunderbikes who'd started from the back got in between us, and I started to lose ground. A few more laps of holding my own and Gary came past me at the first corner. I was determined to try and stick with him, and I did ok for quite a while, and then as soon as we caught up with Greg, Gary just took off in pursuit! I kept them both in sight until the last lap, and then I watched their final lap battle ending with Gary overtaking Greg into Mansfield – superb race guys!!

I should mention that there was an extra racer in our class – a guy called Martin Roberts who apparently races with another club usually, but he entered this round just as a one off with Bemsee. I'm not sure if he was a rookie or not (he wasn't wearing a bib) but he was considerably quicker than the rest of us, and took a full complement of wins over the weekend. So I took another 4^th again on Sunday morning (would have been a 3^rd
if it was just the Bemsee guys, but hey, I guess that's just the way it goes...)

So it was a good points weekend – my main rivals Chalky, Kim, Toby and James sadly didn't have terribly good weekend, so I've made some good progress up the table. I'm now in 4^th place, with only 17 points between me and James in 3^rd.  Behind me there's a 30 point difference to Chalky in 5^th. I really want that 3^rd place now...!!

In terms of my riding, I felt I did ok; I knocked lots of time off my laps, although I would have liked to get another second off ideally. I didn't get much opportunity to do much overtaking, and when I did get the chance I generally just bottled it...not good, must get more aggressive!

A special mention for some people: Lisa and Kat, who both got bones broken this weekend, get well soon girls, we'll miss you out on the grid! Toby – it's about time your luck changed mate, I look forward to seeing a full set of race finishes at Brands from you (behind me of course  ). James, you could use some of that luck too to keep your bike running as it should. Loz – who knocked an incredible 3 seconds off last years race times having not even done a race round this year, and some absolutely superb results in both SBK400 and Thunderbikes. Well done!! Big thanks also for letting me share your awning

The gap of six weeks was horrible, and it was absolutely fantastic to be back in the paddock again to be racing and seeing everyone. Hurry up Brands Hatch! Greg, Gary...better watch your backs out there!

A few pics from the weekend here

( Jul 12 2006, 10:12:11 AM GMT+00:00 )

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Monday May 15, 2006

Brands Race Report (my best weekend yet!!)

Flippin' heck, what a weekend!!!

Arrived at the circuit Thursday evening, where Rob had managed to save us a garage – nice one, you're a star! I unpacked the van and settled down for a chilled evening. Next morning the sun is shining and the forecast promises a hot one, and hot it was! In general practice was going ok – I managed to break my PB lap again, getting low 58 second laps consistently. By lunchtime I was feeling fairly comfortable, but not really getting any quicker, so I spent some time working hard on my lines into Paddock and Graham Hill bends, after some advice from various people. I did one more session after lunch, and then decided to call it a day, conscious that I didn't want to tire myself out too much. I got the bike scrutineered, and then had a nice chilled out evening, with an early night, ready to race the next day.

So Saturday morning...the 15 minute practice had gone ok. I'd been riding pretty steadily (read: slowly) trying to scrub some new tyres in, and after 2 or 3 laps Lisa passed me which encouraged me to tag on to her and give chase. We had a great little battle, overtaking a few times and it got my race head properly on my shoulders.

And suddenly I'm heading out for my race. I'm 7^th on the grid, despite being only 8^th in the championship, as one of the riders ahead of me can't make this round. Even stranger is that the places on the row in front of me are empty due to some unexpected problems for their occupants. So I've got clear track ahead of me... The flag guy points his flag at the lights indicating for us to watch them for the start. They come on...and for some reason I go! Too early!!! A major jumpstart – I knew I'd done it, but it was too late to do anything about it so I throttled off a little, allowing Gary, the guy in pole to get to the first corner before me. After that I figured there was nothing else for it but to try and put in the best laps I could to try and lessen the impact of the inevitable 10 second penalty I was going to get for that! I got round the first lap or so in 2^nd, before being overtaken at Druids by Rob Pragnell. He'd gone round the outside and cut my nose off a bit so I'd had to brake mid corner which was a little scary both for me and for Greg Pearson who was right behind me!! I held onto him for a few more laps, trying to be smooth and consistent everywhere but halfway through the race Greg came flying past on the brakes at my obvious weak spot – Druids again. I tucked in behind and none of the 3 ahead were getting away, but I couldn't get myself close enough to make any passes. I crossed the line in 4^th which I was massively pleased about, but with that jumpstart I knew I'd probably go backwards once the penalty had been applied.

Once I pulled back into the pits I was told there'd been a huge gap between us front 4 and the guys behind – probably enough for me to hold 4^th even with the 10 seconds added! And sure enough when I saw the results sheet, that was the case. I'd managed a 12 second gap between me and 5^th! Even better was after all those 58s in practice, I'd managed a 56.559 best lap!  I couldn't believe it!!

So, next race would be a front row start – something I'd not had since the random grid at the start of the season. The only slight downside (if there could be one!) is that it's on the inside, not ideal for Paddock Hill. This time I waited for the lights to go out before taking off  and made an ok start. The first corner wasn't too hairy and I crossed the line for the first time in 3^rd place. Managed to hold it there for a while, but yet again got out braked out at Druids by Rob Pragnell. My old demon of getting tired in the afternoon races returned, and I could feel my laps getting slower. I kept braking earlier and earlier!! I was hoping I'd managed to gap the guys behind me again, enough to allow me to get away with my slower laps, and it would seem I did as I crossed the line in 4^th again – although looking at the results they were catching me very quickly, so I'm lucky the race finished when it did!

Wow – two 4^th places – how chuffed was I? My best finish prior to that was a 4^th, but it was in the wet and kinda strange conditions. This time I'd done it on a dry track, fair and square. I couldn't believe it really, I've always believed Brands to be a tough track to get good results on due to there often being local specialists, so I was shocked to have got such good results. And I was so pleased with my lap times!

That evening Loz, Nige, Greg, John and I popped out to get some more petrol for the bike, and stopped at a very nice chippy to get some food. John and I went up to the bar for some socialising before turning in at around 10.45.

So, I knew Sunday morning's race would be my best chance of a pot – I always seem to be quicker in the morning, so I had my race head well and truly on. I went out in the 3 lap practice to get my eye in a little and practice Druids and Clearways where I knew I had problems. The race was upon me in a flash, and I sat on the front row of the grid contemplating my start... We all shot off the line – a pretty good start from the whole front row and I managed to get myself into 2^nd as we got to the bottom of the hill. I'd ridden past Greg in the first corner, and I knew full well he'd be looking to take advantage of my weak spot at Druids. Annoyingly I didn't think quick enough, and left a whole world of room up the inside for him to take, and true to form he did just that. Not only that but Rob Pragnell got me round the outside again!! I was absolutely determined not to let them get away this time – I knew I could stick with them and pass, so I got on the power hard and early out of Druids and threw myself into the corner at Graham Hill. It worked – I got excellent drive out of the bend and hurtled past Greg on the exit – one down! Rob was just ahead, but I'd got such good drive out of the left that I knew I could get past him into Surtees. I dived up the inside of him, and made it stick. I was in 2^nd! As soon as I'd passed them both I thought – great! - now they'll have each other to battle with, and hopefully I'll be able to get away. I could see Gary, the race leader up ahead, but there was quite a bit of a gap, so rather than fixating on trying to catch him, I thought it would be better to just try and put in really consistent laps, making no mistakes, so I didn't get passed again. So that's what I did...apparently behind me there was quite a battle, and Greg had at some point lined me up into Graham Hill, but unfortunately overcooked it on the brakes and went wide, losing a few places  I was actually catching Gary up ahead of me, but there wasn't enough laps left, but I couldn't believe it when I crossed the line in 2^nd place!!! Words can't describe – honestly. I was punching the air and crying in my lid – what a race!! What a buzz!! All my crowd were cheering for me as I came back round on the cool down lap and I could barely breathe as I got my bike back into the garage. It was totally unbelievable.

Well the only way to top that would be to go for a win in the next race, but I knew it would be a much tougher race. For one, afternoons are never my strong point when it comes to racing. Second, I knew that Greg and Rob weren't going to let me get away easily at all. Third, Toby was back in the race. He'd had a crash on Saturday morning, and couldn't get back out for the afternoon race, so had started from the back Sunday morning and worked his way up the pack. I knew as long as he made a good start for the second race he'd be right on my tail – I knew his laptimes would be good. Out on the grid and the lights go out – I got a bit mugged off the start and ended up with three riders ahead of me straight away. Shouting at myself in my lid I tried to focus on hanging onto the back which I did for a good few laps. Then I got passed yet again into Druids (I really have to sort that out ). After that it all went a bit backwards...I got passed by Bob Turner first, then in the last but one lap Toby came flying past. I tried desperately to get past again, and was right on his tail the whole lap, but he got the better of me and crossed the line in front. Top ride from both Bob and Toby though! I was really, really pleased for Toby too, after such a rubbish weekend prior to that race, he really deserved to do well.

Lap times, well I managed to knock even more time off, narrowly missing getting into the 55s, with a best lap of the weekend of 56.027 in the final lap of the final race chasing Toby. So close!

So with me on a massive high after a superb weekend, we got all packed to go as we had to leave early to get Greg to the airport for a flight. Just as we were about to leave Greville came and told me I'd been called to race admin... I was a little worried as usually that means you're in trouble – and I hadn't heard the tannoy announcement so I didn't know what was going on. We drove down to the office and I was hugely surprised when I was awarded Rookie of the Day!! I get £100 to spend with Alan Russell (who sells all kinds of nice things for my bike, so I'll be treating her to something special!). What a way to top it all off!! 

As it happened out whole garage had a good weekend. Greville ran some incedible races – absolute edge-of-seat stuff, and after a hard fought final race finally brought in a win in the the last race of the day. Rob got his first points finishing a fantastic 14^th, and also smashed his PB lap getting into the 54s. Conrad also did the same, having some great tussles in the Clubman 600 and bagging his first ever 52 second lap! I should also mention Kat, who crashed at Paddock Hill in the first race and has hurt her foot pretty badly – but she was absolutely flying before that and should be very proud of herself with those laptimes! Also a big well done to Deb Cartwright with 2 pots for the Clubman shootout for top 400 runner.

I'm sure there's load of other people I've forgotton to mention, it's gets tricky when there's so many people you know in the paddock!! I owe a massive thanks to everyone for all the support, cheering, and help I got all weekend, you're all amazing. Especially big thanks to Conrad, Rob, Greville, Loz, Nige, John; Tim Jones for some excellent advice, and of course Greg for everything, I couldn't do it without you guys!!

I can't believe it's so long until the next race – not until mid July! I'm definitely looking for more pots though, it feels great to have finally done it, and I want more!

( May 15 2006, 08:38:12 AM GMT+00:00 )

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Monday April 10, 2006

Race Report - Lydden Hill (...I crashed!)

It all started off perfectly well – arrived at the circuit Wednesday evening and managed to get a good pitch on the hard standing at the bottom of the hill, with power as well! Anyone who knows Lydden knows this isn't an easy thing to achieve! Practice day on Thursday went ok – I found myself putting in pretty steady laps, happy with my choice of gearing and generally feeling comfortable.

Thursday night was a pleasant evening – as we all had the day off on Friday we had a few drinks. Greville and I spent the evening up in Kat and Chris's awning just chatting away. Greg arrived Thursday after 11pm after having a bit of a nightmare journey from Paris where he'd been working all week. Friday we had a lovely lie in, and then set about doing some bits and pieces on the bike – I needed to get some new tyres fitted, and the brakes needed bleeding. The PVM master cylinder hadn't wowed me on the practice day, but I figured it was probably due to needing re-bleeding after it's first use from fitting it. Sure enough there was loads of air in the system, so after the bleed it felt pretty solid. I was looking forward to testing it out on the practice session in the morning, along with scrubbing in my new tyres ready for the races.

Up early on Saturday morning...and it's raining pretty hard.  I'm in the first practice out, so on go the wets. So much for scrubbing in my new tyres! It was a bit of a scary practice session – it took a while to get into any kind of rhythm, and even then it was a slow session. I didn't even get the chance to give the brakes a good test. Yet again I was having problems with my feet slipping off the pegs :-S I was even slipping on the gear lever causing me to miss gears. I pulled of circuit at the end of the session just praying it would dry out....

And dry out it did!! The sun came out, and we ended having a gloriously sunny day. The track dried out nicely in time for my race, so the SuperCorsa tyres were back on. I was really grateful – despite my good performance in the wet at Snetterton, I'd still much prefer it to be dry – I feel much more confident. The only slight niggle I had before going out was that I'd not had a chance to scrub in my brand new tyres – it would have to be done in the warm up lap. Loz convinced me that it shouldn't be a problem, and that I'd forget about it as soon as I got out there. She turned out to be right – it didn't cross my mind again!

We were running in race 3, alongside the YPM rookies again this time, and I was gridded up in 13^th (the 400s had odd grid spots, YPMs evens). I made a reasonable start, and had some great battles with some of the other riders in both championships throughout the race. I crossed the line in 8^th, 6^th in the Clubman 400 championship. I came in buzzing from that race – I felt like I'd ridden a million times better than I had in any practice before. The bike was feeling great, I was scraping my knee everywhere, and I just felt in control and confident. The only problem I was having was that that brakes were now 100% better than they had been previously, so I was having to move all my braking markers on the fly – often getting it really wrong (although thankfully usually too early rather than too late!). To be honest I never really got those markers sorted all weekend – it was a much bigger change than I anticipated, and something that will need looking at on a trackday or practice day in the future.

Race two was ok – I was feeling like a wanted to push harder, but my tiredness stopped me. I lost a couple of places to Toby and Kim – and once they passed me I just couldn't muster the strength to give chase convincingly. Not too bad a result though, finished in 7th and my laptimes were consistent over the 2 races – I'd managed to knock 4 seconds off my previous best time in practice, so definitely can't complain!

Saturday evening was spent in Loz and Nige's awning – always great to have you guys there! We had some food and then decided to get off to the van for an early night as I was absolutely knackered.

Due to noise restrictions at the circuit, there's no racing on Sunday until 12.30, which gave us a lovely lie in. While I appreciated that, we were still up and about by around 9, so had an awful lot of time to kill, just standing around, waiting to get back out on circuit. By the time our practice session was coming up, the weather was looking decidedly dodgy – cold and grey – and the forecasts were for 'wintry showers'. However, with no sign of rain as yet, I went out for the 3 lap practice session. There was only one thing I wanted to try, but I wasn't sure whether I'd manage to get enough speed up in only 3 laps to try it: coming down the hill into paddock bend I'd started to hit the rev limiter in 3^rd shortly before getting to the corner. I'd not had the problem before the races, simply because my laps were that much slower. So in the 3 lap warm up I wanted to try going through it in 4^th instead of bouncing off the limiter. I managed to give it a go for 2 laps, but found that I wasn't high up enough in the rev range to get the drive out of the corner. Tough call though – pretty touch and go really. I think what I actually needed to do was change the rear sprocket instead – that's something I'll have to do for next time – I didn't want to change anything right before a race as I thought it might mess me up too much.

Before I knew it, it was time for my first race of the day. Running round the warm up lap I tried to focus – I knew I could do better than I had been, so now was the time to prove it! I made a good start, passing Toby in the first lap (I need to catch him in the championship points, so I'm always looking out for him on track!) and put in a couple of absolutely flying laps – a whole second quicker than my Saturday times! After overtaking a couple more bikes, I chased down a YPM up ahead. He got the better line through the left, but I got good drive up the hill, and thought I'd pretty much cleared him by the time I'd got to the hairpin. So I tipped in, and suddenly he was there on my outside, and we made contact – on my back wheel!! For a second I thought I'd managed to hold it, but then I was on the grass, and could see the tyre wall approaching a bit too quick for my liking. I touched the front brake, and set the bike down on the grass. Well I say 'set', but actually it went down pretty hard, and I gracefully (not) somersaulted myself away from the bike onto the grass. I landed pretty hard on my side, but I got up with no problems, and plonked myself behind the tyre wall with the superstar marshals who picked both me and my bike up. I was so annoyed with myself - there was nothing I could have done, it was just one of those things, but the race had been going so well before that! Talking to Toby and others afterwards, I'd managed to pull a good gap on Toby and was running in 4^th, gaining on the guys in front. Gutted!!!!

So, thankfully uninjured apart from a sore right ribcage which wasn't that bad, and tender bruise on my forearm, I got dropped off with the bike in the scrutineering bay where I could get a good look at the damage. My first though was “oh no! Rob's PVM master cylinder!”. Luckily it came out unscathed, and the bike actually generally didn't look too bad. Bent screen brace, broken screen, the lugs holding the bottom fairing had ripped off, forks had twisted in the yokes, and the end can had come away from it's rivets (again!!). I got changed out of my leathers, ready to give fixing it up a go – it looked likely we should be able to get it ready in time for the next race. With an absolutely sterling effort from everyone I managed to get it ready for scroot with enough time to get the tyre warmers back on ready for the next race. Big mahoosive thanks go to Greville for his handiwork on the exhaust, Loz for her lesson in fibreglassing, Nick Lewis for lending me the headstock stand, and especially Greg and Nige who fixed up pretty much everything else! You're top folks you lot – I don't know what I'd do without you! Also thanks to all the C400 guys who gave me the thumbs up to check I was ok on their cool down lap, and came to visit to see if they could help out, you're a fab lot of people!

I'd always wondered how I'd feel about getting back on the bike after crashing – and I figured I'd never know until it happened. And there I was facing exactly that. And do you know what? I was dying to get back out on the bike! After such a promising start on that race I knew I had a better result in me, and although I was starting from the back, I was determined to make the best of it. Starting at the back would give me lots of opportunity to get some good overtaking in, and try and put in some flying laps.

I made a great start off the line, and although I missed second gear again, I'd made mid pack by the time I got round the first turn. I weaved my way through what seemed to be a million bikes – round the outside, inside, wherever there was space, putting in some great overtakes in the process. Mid-race, after clearing a few more bikes, I had a bit of clear track ahead of me, and I could see Radka in the distance. She looked such a long way away, I wasn't sure if I'd be able to catch her, but I got my head down and tried to make up some ground. Before I knew it I was on the back of her, and was trying to work out where to make my move. We crossed the start/finish line and the last lap flag was out, so I knew I'd have to think fast. I made loads of time up in Chessons drift, the long right hander and had a chance to try it on the brakes into the left, but couldn't make it stick – probably just being a wimp! I got great drive up the hill though, and really should have got her on the brakes into the hairpin, but something – probably in the back of my mind the crash I'd just had – made me back off just a touch. Knowing I'd given up a perfect opportunity, I got the throttle on early on the way out of the corner, knowing my last chance would be the last corner, paddock. No joy there either though – but again I was hard on the power in a last ditch attempt to get her before the line. No such luck though – I missed out by 0.3 seconds! But it was a fantastic race – all credit to Radka – you're a difficult girl to pass!! A little frustrated, but elated by the race, I pulled in for the last time of the weekend, with a massive grin on my face. I'd managed a 10^th from the back of the grid – in an 8 lap race of such a short circuit I'm not too disappointed with that.

Needless to say the DNF hasn't done wonders for my championship position – I'm down one from 7^th to 8^th. But I'm feeling great on the bike now, really starting to feel confident and fast, so I'm chomping at the bit for the next meeting at Brands. It's over a month away, but at least that gives me time to sort the bike out and replenish my spares.

So, first crash now out of the way, and I'm feeling great about being on the bike. I'm still absolutely loving the racing – it's just the coolest thing in the world.

Usual thanks to peeps – firstly the marshals who picked me and my bike up! Another thanks to everyone who helped sort my bike out after the crash. Also it was great to have Conrad, Kev and his other half, and Rich and his kids stop by to give their support – it's always great to have you there.

( Apr 10 2006, 04:24:28 PM GMT+00:00 )

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Tuesday March 28, 2006

Race Report - Snetterton...Fantastic!!

Arrived at the circuit Thursday late afternoon, where Loz and Nige had saved us a garage even though they weren't actually racing (you stars!!). Got unpacked and the bed setup in the van, and then started on the bits that I needed to do on the bike – water pump cover, and front sprocket. All sorted, and I went to bed nice and early, ready for practice in the morning.

And in the morning... it's raining and the track is drenched. Urgh - not what I wanted for the first laps of the day! On go the wet wheels – which took me ages, I really need to practice doing it quickly!! I went out and did a few laps, but had real trouble getting the bike up to temperature. Snetterton is a pain when it's cold - the problem is out on the long back straight you're at risk of cold seizures if the temperature doesn't stay up – hot cylinders, cold water pumping around them...not a good idea! So I pulled in early having pootled round for a while, not wanting to rev the engine out, and put some more tape on the radiator. Next session out was still running a little cold, and it was still a very wet track. I had a bit of a moment at the chicane when my foot came off the peg, which was a little scary, but no harm done. I came in early again, not feeling too confident   I sat out the next 2 sessions, I just didn't want to go out in the rain! I know I should have really, I could use the practice. After lunch there was a definite drying line, so I went out again, and finally started to feel more comfortable. After that I put the dry tyres back on, and went out to try and get some decent practice time in. Annoyingly my laptimes were 5 seconds slower than at the end of last year, but at least I was feeling happier out on track, and more in the right frame of mind to be racing the next day.

Friday afternoon after my final session and it's time for scrutineering, and Loz and Nige yet again show themselves to be top pit crew by pushing my bike to the scroot bay and putting it through while I get my clothing checked. Thanks again guys!! I passed scroot, but the official pointed out two things that he wanted me to sort before I went out the next day. First, my fairing had a couple of sharpish corners which he wanted me to tape up – no problem there, duck tape on and that's that. Second, the exhaust can seemed to be a little loose so he recommended I tighten it up. However, it didn't turn out to be the easy job we all though it would be – one of the rivets holding the can to it's collar had come out, and two more were loose, which is why it was moving about so much when the scrutineer wobbled it. Well I don't have rivet gun, or a drill, so the hunt was on to find someone who did. After asking around someone suggested I go ask one of the sidecar teams (cos they have everything!). After walking round the paddock trying to even find a sidecar, Loz and I finally found Sean and Mark Hegarty who kindly lent me the rivet gun. In the end I didn't do anything until morning, when Nige helped out with drilling out the old rivet and putting the new ones with the aid of Greville's drill and some rivets supplied by Deb.

I didn't have a practice session until 10.30, so after signing on I had plenty of time to chill out and have breakfast. The track was still damp when Conrad went out at 9.15, so I wasn't feeling too good about going out, but I knew I had to, even if it was only slow. It turned out ok – still a little damp in places like the Bombhole, but mostly ok. I didn't push it, but just got a feel for the track ready for my first race. Mind you, my first race wasn't until after lunch at around 2.30! Had a nice morning, this time actually getting to watch some of my mates race this time – Conrad out in Clubman 600 and Greville out in SB400, as well as some of the Minitwins, Chris and Susie.

For some reason I was feeling really nervous Saturday morning, much more nervous than I was for Brands. I was definitely feeling like I didn't want to go out, but of course, I was going to anyway. I think the prospect of it being wet was really getting under my skin after my foot slipping off the peg in practice (that after all is what caused me to have my one and only off so far at Brands) – well that's the only thing I can think of that would explain it. Finally it came round to race one, and sat in collecting next to Radka, she rubs her tummy to indicate how nervous she was – and I really sympathised! At least it was dry though, even quite sunny! I started 19^th on the grid – the Thunderbike championship was also on the grid with us, and they were up front, so all the C400s were on the back few rows. Made an average start, making a couple of place up in the first lap, and then basically ended up just following Lisa around for the whole race. I couldn't seem to catch her anywhere, but she wasn't pulling away either – most frustrating! The race was ok, not particularly eventful apart from being lapped by many of the much more experienced and very very fast Thunderbike riders. I felt like I could have pushed more, but it was steady enough. And I'd managed to knock 3 seconds off my Friday laptimes, so I was pleased with that. Final position was 9^th in the C400.

The second race on Saturday – well to be honest I can't remember much about it!! I was feeling loads better about going out than I had been that morning, it's always much easier when the first one is over I think! My laptimes were around the same kind of time, a little slower but consistent. I think I made a place or two throughout the race, but it was generally uneventful. One thing I was finding though was that my bike had really bad front end chatter under hard breaking at the end of both straights. It was starting to really hurt my arms, and it was making me brake earlier, so I made sure that I went to ask Steve Jordan if he could take a look for me at some point soon, see if we could dial it out. Final position was 8^th.

Saturday night and Conrad and I had agreed we would take Loz & Nige out for dinner to say thanks for sorting the garage for us. We tried booking our 'usual' haunt, the Breckland Lodge 5 minutes down the round in Attleborough, but it was full, so we ended up driving first around Attleborough, and after no luck there, the next town, Wymondham until we found a curry house. It was mega-busy, but they found us a table after 20 minutes, and it was actually really good food! It ended being a reasonably late night, especially as the clocks were due to go forward overnight, but it was great to be out with everyone, all my racer mates

Sunday morning, and Steve Jordan has popped round while I was out of the garage to take a look at the suspension. Thankfully Greg was there to describe what I was feeling on the bike, so Steve fettled the rebound on the front and rear, and I got a practice pass to try and test it out in the 3 lap session. It's hard to test it fully when it's not race conditions, but I gave the brakes some good welly out on the back straight, and although the problem hadn't gone away fully it did seem to be better, so I was hopeful that it would stop me braking early and stop hurting my arms!

First race out, and I'm ready to give it a go, determined to make a better than my usual average start this time. I started in 17^th on the grid, on the outside, so I felt like I should be able to find more room on the first corner round the outside. I made a blinding start! Best I've ever done – doing my first mini-wheelie in the process  - I shot forward making at least 6 or so places by the time I got to the first corner. Then – disaster! A few metres ahead of me two bikes make contact and go down, and I'm forced to ride way out over the grass to avoid them. Once on the grass I'm thinking “don't touch anything!” - brakes are a bad idea, and so is throttle on damp grass! I just tried to aim back toward the track, praying I wouldn't slip and fall over! I made it, and took the next corner a little gingerly while I tried to scrub any remaining mud off the tyres, and then gunned in down the straight in pursuit of Toby Lewis who rejoined the track a little way ahead of me. Pretty much everyone else managed to avoid the incident and had made plenty of headway round by then. A long way to catch up from there  I came round to the line to complete the first lap in 28^th, only 2 from the back.... I was so annoyed after making my best start so far only to have it scuppered by an incident in front, but hey, that's racing I guess. So after that, I got my head down and tried to make some of the lost time back. I think I made about 2 positions back, but finally finished in 12^th in the C400, and had a 26^th on the next grid

In the afternoon, about 30 minutes before my race, my greatest fear happened: it started to rain. It wasn't too heavy, but definitely rain. The race that was about to go out was declared wet, so I was watching with interest to see if the rain would stop, and if it did whether it would dry out. I have free tyre choice in my class, so it doesn't have to be declared wet before I can run wets, however, I wanted to be sure it was wet enough before putting them on. The rain stopped a little while later, and the windy conditions started to dry the not massively wet track. I took the gamble to stay on dry tyres, as although it was damp, it really wasn't wet enough for full wets. Still, I was really nervous, and was really battling with myself to put the worries out of mind and just get out there and bring me and the bike home in one piece. So we pull out to the collecting area, and out onto the grid where I'm waaaay at the back. I seem to have managed to put all my worries about the wet out of my mind now, although I've no idea how. The warm up lap was scary, it had started raining again, and I pootled round near the back to try and avoid any silly incidents before the race had even started (others weren't so lucky!). Onto the grid, and we're under starters orders. Lights go on. Lights go off.... and I make the start of my life!!! I flew off the line and made masses of places up by the time I'd safely made it round turn one. Looking at the breakdown of laps it turns out I crossed the line after lap one in 12^th - from 26^th – I managed to take 14 bikes in the first lap!!! Man, I hope I can pull that off at more races  It turns out that 12^th over the line was in fact 3^rd in the C400, but I had no idea where I was and was just trying to keep the bike upright on an increasingly slippery surface.

The rain was coming down harder now, and I could see bikes in front of me touching the white line and having the back end swishing all over the place, so I was desperately trying to stay clear of them. Having to wait for ages for the bike to get upright before putting on the power was a challenge too, it's a completely different style of riding with those tyres on. I put in a couple of laps, still pretty tentative, and had a brief battle with James Williamson who was awesome on the brakes in such stupid conditions, and then the following lap I was overtaken by Bob Turner. I followed them both for ages, and definitely had the opportunity to overtake at least once, but I just thought better of it, thinking it was too risky and I didn't want to crash! If only I'd known I was battling for third, and my first pot – I definitely would have tried harder. I managed a really good couple of overtakes – round the outside at Corums, and on the brakes at Riches, that gave me loads of confidence as I'd been too scared to overtake anyone on the brakes so far that weekend. There were so many crashes in that race – it seems every time I came round a corner there was someone else on the floor. Eventually the race was actually red flagged at 6 laps – and to be honest not a moment too soon, as I was tiring fast and it was getting wetter and wetter! As I pulled round the cool down lap Michael, one of the marshalls on flag off showed me 4 fingers to indicate my position and I was gobsmacked, followed by screaming wildly!  What a race – scary, but fantastic all at the same time – I really enjoyed it, not just because of getting my best result so far, and only narrowly missing out on a pot, but also it was just a great race, challenging and fun.

I've been on such a high since then – even now I'm grinning thinking about it! What started as a reasonable, average-ish weekend ended just brilliantly! I'm full of confidence for Lydden no in two weeks time – I can't wait to get back out there again. If anyone reading is umming and aaahing about going racing, just do it – it's bloomin' fantastic!!

The usual thankyous: Loz and Nige – top pit crew, garage reservers and film technicians; Conrad – who I'm really proud of after having such a good weekend with a PB to boot; all the C400 guys, you're all top!! Reggie and Nick Lewis for some very sound advice on the circuit; and of course my lovely hubby Greg who always gives me tons of support. Not forgetting of course my orange ZXR.

Oh - when I arrived at the circuit Thursday night Loz & Nige had done this to their van

More pics to follow soon.

( Mar 28 2006, 01:29:20 PM GMT+00:00 )

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Monday March 13, 2006

I did it! Race Report - Brands Hatch 11/12th March 2006

I had no idea. No idea how incredible it would be! What a weekend – 4 races, and I'm still buzzing this morning, and I can't see it dissipating for some time...

So I'll start from the beginning...

After a half a day of clock watching and not getting a lot of work done I left the office at 2.15 to set off for Brands. Thankfully Rob had got there earlier and had bagged a garage, so I unloaded and set about getting some work done on the bike. I had a big to-do list- the biggest bit of which was to get the wheels off and down to the main paddock to get the tyres changed by Alan Russell for some new ones. Unfortunately Alan wasn't there...I found out later that he didn't arrive until very late due to a blow out on the motorway! So I was going to have to wait until the morning to get the tyres fitted...an early start for me then!

Up at 7 on Friday morning, and the sun is shining, although it's bitterly cold. I get the wheels down to Alan at around 7.30 but he's already got as massive queue for tyre fitting, and he tells me to come back in an hour. That's fine, I sign on at the race office for practice, and go back for a cuppa and some breakfast. I'm not due out on circuit until 9.30, so I should have plenty of time to get the wheels back in. The weather at this stage was very iffy – it was raining on and off, and actually, although the track was far from drenched, lots of people were going out on wet tyres for their sessions. I was actually considering putting my wets on, but decided that it wasn't really wet enough, and the rain had stopped again, so going out on my wets may very well ruin them, and I only had one set which I might well need for an actual race! Unfortunately, Alan's backlog proved worse than he'd thought, so I didn't get the wheels back for another hour, which meant that by the time I'd got the wheels back on, I'd missed my first two sessions. Never mind – on the plus side the weather had started to get better, so I don't think I missed a great deal of useful track time anyway.

Practice in general ended up being quite frustrating. My lack of track time over the winter was painfully obvious and I was putting in pretty poor lap times of around 1:04. I was tense, finding it hard to be relaxed on the bike, generally having a hard time and starting to worry about how on earth I would get through a race riding the way I was. I did 5 sessions through the day, and was beginning to feel a little better on the bike, but still nowhere near the pace that I'd put in late last year. Well, nothing for it, I'd just have to get my head around it and get out there in the morning.

Late afternoon, and the grids for tomorrow are up in the race office. I've been put 3^rd on the grid – front row!!! I'd been dreading that – but the more I thought about it (and the more others advised me on it) the better I thought it would be. Getting to the first corner with a minimum number of bikes around would be a better plan than being in a huge pack of people trying to get round all at once. On the other hand, it felt like a lot of pressure – it's a great opportunity to get a good finish, I might not get a front row start again soon, so I should make the most of it. That's a pretty tough thought when you have no idea what to even expect out on track, let alone how fast you'll be compared to anyone else.

Next on the agenda was getting the bike through scrutineering. Thankfully they start scroot on Friday afternoon, which means you can ride the bike there. If you do it in the morning, there's no racing engines allowed to be started before first practice at 9, so you have to push the bikes to the scroot bay. If you're in the garages at Brands that's a long way – and up some pretty severe hills, so it's well worth doing on Friday if possible! The queue was already massive by the time I got there, but I found another of the Clubman 400 girls, Lisa, in the queue and we had a natter. Many thanks to her hubby Paul for holding my bike while I went to the office to sort out my transponder! I managed to fail scroot, as the pinch bolts on the forks (the ones by the spindle, not the yokes) weren't tight. Oops – that was pretty bad – I'm glad they spotted it!! So I ran back to the garage to get some tools, tightened them up and got rechecked, this time all ok and ready to go for the morning.

Practice in the morning was just 15 minutes, and we were out with the fast Superbike 400 riders. I was still feeling slow, bad on the brakes and with decidedly dodgy lines into corners which I'd always felt strong on in the past. Too late now, the race was almost upon me – race 1 of the day was only about an hour away, so now there was nothing further to be done about it.

Before I know it, I'm in collecting and riding out to the grid, forming up for the warm up lap. So this is it! Next minute we're round, and the start line official is pointing at the lights. And we're off!! I seemed to get off the line ok, but got taken by a couple of riders by the time we got to Druids (turn 2). I managed to make a place back pretty quickly, and held it there, right until the final lap when I got overtaken by one of the Yamaha Past Masters riders (YPMs). From a championship point of view, that was no problem – there are basically two championships going on on the same grid. I crossed the line in 7^th place, but there were 2 YPMs in front, so in the 400s I finished 5^th. I had no idea what position I was in as I pulled in though – as I crossed the finish line with the chequered flags waving, all I could think about was how amazing that was. How intense, how exciting how exhilarating! As I rode round the circuit for the cool down lap I couldn't believe that I'd actually done it. A real race!! There were tears in my eyes as I pulled back into the pits...what a buzz!!

Race 2 was after lunch and I was certainly feeling somewhat drained from the race before. But, still with a decent spot on the grid (7^th) I was hoping to make the most of it. I made a reasonable start again, and held position for the first few laps, but then made a stupid mistake under braking at Druids, and managed to let 2 riders get up on the inside. I tried to make chase, annoyed with myself at the silly mistake, but just felt myself getting more and more tired, waiting for the last lap flag to come out. I managed to keep those behind me at bay to the flag, and crossed the line in 12^th, making me 8^th out of the 400s.

Well, I was pretty pleased with my results – I have to say I did better than I thought I would. However, my lap times were still way higher than they ought to have been, with my best lap so far being a 1:02.856. Now that was disappointing, as I know I can do sub-minute laps. Lots of people were reassuring me that it was down to the cold weather, and most of the experienced racers were even a second or two down on the their 'usual' times on the circuit. Despite that, I still felt like I could have done better, so I promised myself I'd do better the next day. I think a lot of it was down to being too tense on the bike. My body position, my cornering, and throttle control really suffered because of it. Needed to work on that....

We had a nice easy evening, spending some of it in the bar watching the prize giving, and some back in the garage having dinner and chatting. We got a reasonably early night – I needed to be awake and fresh for the morning!

I decided before going to bed that I would get up and get a practice pass for Sunday morning. It's not a compulsory practice, but I felt it would be good to dial-in before my race, and just get a an idea of how the grip levels were and how relaxed I was. I also had a couple of spots on track where I wanted to try something different. Quite a lot to get through in only 3 laps though! I came in from it feeling really positive though – I'm glad I went out. The sun was out, the track felt grippy, I felt more relaxed and ready to go have a great race.

Race 1: I got off the line well, this time determined to have a good first few corners, which are crucial to the rest of the race, and I did it! I managed to make 4 places up by Druids, and even managed to undertake someone on the entry to Druids – something I'd felt too scared to do previously! I then got my head down, trying to keep those behind me where they were (of course I've got no idea how close anyone is behind me). A good few laps later and I'd still not been overtaken, but on the approach to Paddock Hill I saw a yellow flag being waved, so very slightly throttled off (mistake!!) only to find another 400 come flying past. I gave chase, but figured in my head that it wouldn't matter, as they'd passed me on a yellow flag. Unfortunately this doesn't seem to have been picked up by the race officials :-S For the last 3 or 4 laps I was being chased down by a YPM rider; he kept overtaking me at Surtees or Clearways, only for me to get past him on the power down the straight. I must have been fast enough to stay ahead for the rest of the lap, but just that one spot he could get around me every time. On the last lap I was determined to make sure I crossed the line before him so was trying my hardest to keep ahead. At Graham Hill bend we came up to a YPM we were about to lap – I decided to try and take the tighter inside line, but ended up having to brake massively hard to stop myself from running into him, and the guy chasing me must have done the same, but he went around the outside of the pair of us and ended up running over the curb. He still managed to get ahead of me though, so I had to get the power on quick and try and stop him from getting too far ahead though Surtees and Clearways (where he had already proved he was faster) so that I had a chance of getting him before the finish line. Coming out of Clearways and he's ahead, but I'm on the power early and trying to catch him up, tucked under my screen and slamming up the gear box...the line's in sight, and the ZXR just pulls past him with only 0.2 seconds between us!! Great race though – we both grinned at each other as we sailed round the cool down lap.  Final result was 9^th over the line, 7^th in the 400s.

That race was just great – real racing, where I managed some good overtakes and had to think a little more about what I was doing in the race, rather than simply trying to ride fast. I even managed to get my knee down – something which I wasn't overly concerned about, except that usually I would be doing so at practically every corner at Brands, so I felt like I must have been going slower. When I got the results sheet back, I was even more pleased – my best lap was 59.931!! Finally down below a minute, right back where I was last summer

The second race was again pretty difficult; just like the previous afternoon I was already pretty drained from the effort of the first race. I held my own on the start, and had a brief battle with one of the other rookie girls, but in the end my tiredness got the better of me and I couldn't manage to get her back. In the final lap I got overtaken by another YPM, and my tiredness briefly left me  After a corner or two I put in a slightly scary overtake up the inside at Surtees (a move which Conrad approved of !)and powered round Clearways to stay ahead of him convincingly by the line. I'd felt slower, and a lot less focused in that race, but still came away with reasonable lap time of around 1:00. Final result was 11^th over the line, 8^th in the 400s.

So there we go – first ever race weekend done! I've finally earned my RacerJen title for real  I really can't put into words just how cool it really was to be out there. I've spent the last year or so preparing for this – and there were some times where it was really looking like it wouldn't happen, so to actually be there doing it for real, was incredibly special.

I can't wait to be out again in two weeks time for Snetterton! I met loads of wicked people, and look forward to meeting more in the coming months. I'm looking forward to getting faster and better, and getting ever improving results. What a year this is going to be!!

Well if you're still awake and reading this, I have a ridiculous amount of people to thank – and I imagine I'll forget loads of them, but I'll try! First, Loz, Nige, and Conrad for all your support over the last year getting me ready for this; Rob for all his encouragement and support both previously and all weekend (and a big well done to him for getting out there too and smashing his own PB lap record); Red, Moose, Kat, Radka and Greville for all the kind words and everyone else who stopped by the garage to say hi. The biggest thanks go to Greg, the bestest hubby and pit monkey there ever could be  Oh, and a huge thanks to my orange ZXR. What a star

There's a selection of pictures here.

( Mar 13 2006, 09:56:45 PM GMT+00:00 )

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