Progress in the park...

Photo courtesy of londonbikers.com

Mixed weekend so far here at Cadwell Park – The first day of practice was kinda hampered by a few niggling bike issues, thrown into that was an intermittent electrical problem.

I was going to say that they are “the worst type of problem” as its difficult to fix something that either isn’t always broken or fixes itself – but in hindsight a con-rod hanging out of the side of the engine cases in probably worse so it wasn’t that bad!

We missed a chunk of practice which I certainly need here as Cadwell isn’t my strongest track – in fact I can narrow it down to the woodland section.

Very tight, twisty and undulating on a superbike it’s... “Challenging”!

It’s strange because if you push and try harder you end up going slower – it seems it all about getting a good flow and keeping the momentum up.

My qualifying position isn’t great but we’ve made some good progress – I’ve lapped about a second faster than ever so were going in the right direction – just need more of the same - without the bike issues for tomorrows races!

TT#21

photo courtesy of motoprofesional.com


The last round Brands was a good one for me and the Hardinge Doodson Motorsport Team. Even though we had some problems with the bike throughout the weekend it was fantastic to come away with three podiums and a fastest lap.

It’s a bit of a strange one; I left brands on the Sunday night a bit frustrated…

I guess it was part the bike issues and part the nature of competition as I was close to getting 2nd place in third race… eventually with a bit of perspective I was really happy to head back north with three more trophies.

The whole weekend was really fantastic...

The BSB organisers did a great job, organising the parades, classic races, and a great atmosphere. It had the same buzz as the World Superbike weekend which was helped by the massive crowds and the cracking weather.

We haven’t been taking it easy either – less than 24hours after the race the bike was on the dyno and then the engine being stripped to try and iron out the issues we had Brands.

According to the dyno after it was rebuilt we’re back to where we should have been, we did take it to a race track to check it but that was rained off, so I’ll find out when we get to Cadwell!

I got my first race win at Cadwell Park on a 125 and I’m looking forward to the challenge of racing a Superbike there again. The woodland section is really tight on a big bike and like the chicanes at Mallory it’s an area I can improve.

I’ve been training even harder in the last few weeks which will always help and if I keep managing to avoid swine flu I’ll be stronger and fitter than ever for these last four rounds.

The goal this weekend is to be on the rostrum in every race and chase that first Superbike cup win!

TT#21

Looking ahead to Brands...

Photo courtesy of LondonBikers.com

Only 24 hours now before we set off down the M1 to Brands Hatch for what looks like it’s going to be a busy weekend.

I’m really looking forward to getting out on the full GP circuit. I’ve got good memories from World Supersport Races there in 2004, 2005, & 2006. And after scratching round the chicanes of Mallory last time out I can’t wait to let our Hardinge Doodson Honda stretch its legs.

The World Superbike weekends there were a bit special – big crowds – cracking atmosphere – and great weather. Hopefully BSB this weekend will pick up from where WSBK left it and if we get at least two of the three it should be a fantastic weekend.

I’m looking forward to seeing the old bikes [and riders] too. Agostini is a true racing legend both with results and his character. When I was racing at Monza [WSS] he politely asked if he could take a short cut through our garage rather than just barging through as some people do. If I’d have known the Italian for piggy back I’d have offered to carry him through! Proper gentleman...

It’s the first time the championship has run three races on over one weekend and although Sunday has familiar format Saturday in going to be flat out - with our third free practice in the morning, qualifying just after lunch and our first race in the afternoon. You’ll find me in a quiet dark corner on Saturday evening.

Mallory was never going to be our strongest race and although I was happy with the progress we made over previous years it's was very frustrating to leave without at least one more podium especially in race two – I was in a strong third place but then started to struggle to see through my visor and lost more than 2 seconds a lap and therefore just got pipped before the race was stopped. I was keen to get back out for a restart but the BSB organisers did the right thing as it would have been too dangerous.

I’ve enjoyed a couple of weekends “off” spent with a mix of training hard, relaxing, avoiding swine flu and getting things prepared for Brands.

We’re past the half way mark in the season now and although we’ve racked up some podiums I don’t feel we’ve proved what we’re capable of yet....

Roll on Brands!!... TT#21