Thruxton Qualifying

Made some really positive changes overnight and got ALOT more rear grip – big improvement & knocked 1.3 off yesterday’s time in this morning free practice.

In Q1 it was carnage – I lost count but I think it was 3 red flags in around 10 minutes... Bikes on fire, oil spills and more. When we did finally get more than one flying lap in a row – found a rhythm and made it through to Q2...

The second session was smoother and pretty much everyone set their best laps in the first 2 or 3 laps, me included, setting a massive personal best and improving nearly 2 seconds on Fridays time. Still happy although a got pushed back from 15th to 17th – still equals my best qualifying in BSB, so far...

Great weather today – hot sun, light wind and cool air, hopefully that continues tomorrow. Either way tyre wear on both the front & rear is going to be a big factor tomorrow – just see who deals with it best!?

Lastly – Get well soon to James Ellison who had a big crash this morning – I hope he gets fit and well and is back on a bike very soon...

Off to bed now... to dream of race success!

TT#21

Brands Hatch Bruises!

The run up to the 1st round at brands was at best “manic” and very close to “panic” and it was a feeling of relief to get down there – get set up and get through all the signing on and pre season briefings etc...

Missing the riders briefing isn’t advised and comes with the threat of penalty points etc – for those who are aware of my time keeping abilities it’ll come as no surprise that I was “a little” late. Strangely like the first day of school no-one wants to sit at the front? But they were the only seats left, fortunately I wasn’t last in – Yukio Kagayama lolled in after me.

Hearing about the flag signal was nothing new and for Yuki it proved a relaxing experience as he subsequently fell asleep, less than a metre away from the clerk of the course who was in full flow. It was a proper sleep too – complete with twitches, I wonder what he was dreaming about....?

Anyway... On track we had some bike issues all weekend which wasn’t helped with the changeable weather – or throwing it down the road in Q1 – for me or the bike!

The races were hard work to say the least. Feeling the after effects of the crash meant I struggled to move about on the bike, which still was far from perfect.

All things considered, to be lapping with top 10 pace for second half of race two, as I was cutting my way though was good & I was pretty happy knowing what we are capable of.

On our way to Thruxton now and in the weeks off we have straightened out the bike and hopefully it is now back at full spec.

Me? I’m a lot better – still not 100% but nothing that should slow me down...

My last dose of physio on Tuesday night was the most painful I’ve ever had (I even threatened not to pay for it!), but fortunately the phrase “No pain – No gain” rings true and I do feel better for it.

Onto Thruxton & hopefully a smoother weekend... with less bruises...

TT#21