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The team consists of the six of us for this season:
- The owners: CK & AK
- The racers: Paul and Clint (see the Racers section)
- Nick Boustead
- Doug Clemmans (aka Pitboard)
AK – also known as Alan Knight, passed his half century in 2006, though shows no sign of relaxing & taking things easy.
AK didn't have anything to do with Ducati's until early 2002, when CK got her first one – and thus his interest had started to point in the Ducati direction. Previously AK had (in a very early life) been a workshop foreman for a large Kawasaki dealership, which was attached to a Datsun dealership. In those days, AK spent much of his free time spannering for the Datsun garage rally team – travelling all over the UK. Any time left over was devoted to his main love - American cars, mostly those of the 1960's era.
In his mid 30s AK then set up his own business solely working on American cars, which went hand-in-hand with his hobby of drag racing his much modified Plymouth Duster. Some weekends were also spent with his mate Dave, taking large amounts of spares to the drag race meetings to sell to other racers and American car owners. This 'del boy' stage wound down during 2006, though AK & Dave still have a large amount of '60's parts!
During all of this Alan also had two children – Vicki & Dean. Vicki lives with Paul (Bones) who joined us to race in 2006 and hasn't left!
In recent years AK has spent time spannering for Mark of MHP at club race meetings, and also for a season when Mark did endurance racing. AK's main interest is creating or rebuilding things, so with this in mind it's not really surprising that he was keen to have a go with the race bikes. His current road bike is a Monster 900 special, which was completed as a project in early 2004 and although it did some shows as an exhibit, the tri-colour has been AK's main commuter and fun bike for the last four years. As well as this, AK had built a 'mini ducati' from a VFR 400 – which caught out a few riders at a track day at Rockingham in 2004. Alan still misses the RD 125's and 400 that he used to own only four years ago, and also the Kawasaki/Harris 750 turbo. The dearly beloved totally rebuilt non-standard Kawasaki 1100R is still with us, and AK has sworn to make the time to ride her more, even if just for commuting on occasions.
AK has done a few track days on the current race bikes, as well as others prior to the Desmo Due racing starting up. This means he does have a good interest in the handling and suspension set up, as well as how the engines should be operating. Sometimes, this has come in handy for other riders in the previous series we did (Desmo Due), with 'DR AK' being able to help get them back on the track again after a spill or a mechanical problem.
At race meetings AK can usually be found either checking over our own bikes, or possibly helping out an unfortunate rider who has had a mishap on track.
Late 2007 and AK has taken his ACU licence – this is ostensibly for doing trackdays in 2008, though you never know what else might happen.....
How CK ended up as team manager was an own goal really – the only one who could type more than five words a minute, and who could also make a cup of coffee whilst cooking dinner & surfing the internet at the same time!!
CK, whilst not admitting to being close to AK in age, is also not as young as she once was. Horses as well as bikes were her main love in her teens and after a long day at the stables, she was then usually tearing around on two wheels with a group of mates. Charlotte ran her own equestrian business for many years supporting herself and daughter Becca, from her first marriage, however, the bikes had to take a back seat until Becca left school.
In the mid 1980's right through to meeting AK in 1999, CK had competed regularly with the horses and ponies on the national circuit with a modicum of success, winning championships and producing ponies to the highest level for herself and her daughter. This often meant a long time was spent on the road travelling to competitions all over the country and also into Europe on occasions. To assist with the expenses Charlotte also did some long distance trips for equestrian transport companies, running other peoples stable yards as holiday cover, teaching riders at Pony Club and also privately too.
CK also instructed local equestrians at weekends and evenings as well as breaking and schooling many horses and ponies – again to top level.
With AK's arrival on the scene in mid 1999, CK's long held interest in bikes was again ignited by 'borrowing' his 600 sportsbike, closely followed by the subsequent purchase of a Kawasaki for scratching about on. 2001 will be remembered fondly as a real family year when AK & CK went to the Gert Gallybagger rally on the Isle of Wight accompanied by a son, daughter and also daughter's boyfriend, all on bikes.
The following year was even more riotous as the 'kids' had all moved up to 400 sportsbikes which made for some interesting rides! A big birthday loomed in 2002 and the first Ducati joined the garage for CK, alongside AK's three or four bikes, and Becca's bike too (whole family biking). Moving on a couple of years when AK got his 900 monster special on the road, CK then upgraded her 750 to the 1000sie Monster – just so she could keep ahead if necessary!
CK is the person to ensure the van is laden with vast amounts of food, drink (including the non-alcoholic variety) and bedding - also making sure the team leave on time. All bookings for travel are made by CK, as is the co-ordination of booking track days with the riders, as well as many other items such as ensuring the route is planned (no Sat Nav yet!). CK is also the team financial controller.
CK is occasionally called upon to help with the bikes and enjoys taking them to bits. You will usually find CK at a race meeting with a cup of coffee or glass of something in hand and stop watches in the other, usually whilst chattering away like a pneumatic drill!
Likes:
Bike racing
Playing with tools
Happy people
Dislikes:
Miserable people
Women with big hands
Cheese!
"First rode a motorbike when I was 5, got hooked, been riding ever since. Started doing trackdays which of course led onto racing, which I’ve been trying to get good at for four years... no wins yet but a pole position and two podiums has kept me happy enough. I’ve done aerobatics, parachuting and black-run skiing, but there’s nothing in the world as thrilling as bike racing so long may I live to enjoy it!
Have met all aspects of what is now Knight Road Racing over the last five years, and with Bones being the funniest bloke in the world and SuperClint is the one I want to be as good as, it was cool to be asked to stand in as the spare spanner for Thundersport meetings. It’s harder working support than it is racing, but the effort the boys give back makes it well worth it."
Doug arrived back from a very very long holiday in Australia in summer 2005, and was promptly pressganged into the team on the 2nd bike (Snotty, then in 620 mode) for the last two meetings of the season). Doug then took on initially sharing a 583 with Zimbo at the start of the 2006 season, going on to ride for Michael Peatfield (Rally) on his 600ss in the latter part of the year.
Funds denied Doug the opportunity to take on a ride for 2007 but (luckily for us) Doug joined our team - fondly named 'Pitboard' by Hawk at the start of the season, as Doug kept Hawk's pitboard very much up to date for him whilst racing at each meeting.
In between, Doug helps AK with any fettling that needs doing to both bikes at the meetings, including refuelling and any tyre changes. It goes to say that we value Doug’s help greatly and he is very MUCH part of the 'family' team.
Doug has announced that he is extremely happy to stay with the team for this new venture for 2008.
Name: Clinton de Tarnowsky
Race number: #36
DOB: 11:06:74
Occupation: Motorcycle Technician.
Marital Status: Married.
Hobbies: Bikes, Running, Cycling & learning to
play the Guitar.
Ambition: To win.
Racing conditions improved, leathers were sponsored, new boots bought and I found myself riding a Buell and being sponsored by Harley Davidson Johannesburg. It was a good year and I learnt a lot. The following year I moved up a class and rode a Ducati 748 … What a year, this was later referred to as my CRASH YEAR. Trying too keep up with the big boys on the 996’s taught me a lot. There were quite a few podiums but unfortunately a lot more crashes. This is where I learnt the most in terms of hard racing. The following year got better I found myself having a fully sponsored ride on a 996 with Gilberts Mining and a great team mate Peter Swanepoel. Together we worked hard and managed to win the Championship and Team Trophy in the Battle of the Twins class. All this of course happened back in South Africa. I then decided to leave it all behind and start a new life with my family here in the UK.
Thinking that racing was over, in 2005 I was offered the chance to enter the Desmo Due class on a M620 with DLS and had a fantastic year alongside team mate and fellow colleague Mike Dawson. Although never having raced prior to this in the UK I was fortunate to have a few victories and ended second in the championship.
Since being forced to take a few seasons off, Alan and Charlotte Knight have offered me the chance to join their Knight Road Racing Team onboard the Ducati M800. I am very excited and feel that this is a great opportunity. I am looking forward to being part of the team and the season ahead.
DOB: 21:01:68
Race number: #39
Occupation: Diagnostic Engineer.
Marital Status: Not married but deeply in
love.
Hobbies: Bikes, Snowboarding, Climbing, Cycling
& Gardening.
Bikes: Honda Deauville (commuter) VFR750, VF400D,
and HARRIS 750 TURBO (in bits)
Ambition: To stay smiling no matter what.
Funny Fact: I live in "Christmas Pie".
I have always ridden motorbikes - bar the odd accident involving "Taxis" and the odd furry creature - whether it be commuting (all year), advanced training or just out hooning around with my mates, and hopefully I will continue to do so as long as possible.
I was one of those riders that didn't do track days as didn't see the point because in my view road craft & track craft were completely different.
I was asked by Alan & Charlotte to ride their Ducatti 583cc Monster in a new Novice Race Series the "Ducatti Sporting Club was going to start called "Desmo Due", I declined the first year as other commitments etc, but still kicking myself now that I didn't take up the offer. As luck would have it they asked me again for 2006 season, this time I bit their hand off and so this started my leap into the life of a "racer".
I did my first track day at Oulton Park on a cold frosty morning, after spending the night at my possible team-mate's house in Birmingham, Andy Johnson & his wife Kaz. Not my ideal first time as had a stinking cold and a damaged hand from an injury sustained in the week, but at least it took some of the worry off. I went out in the novice group and after learning the track which took ages and getting used to riding a twin for the first time, I was starting to really enjoy this track lark and began holding my own against R6, ZX6 etc - considering the 583cc has a whopping 48BHP, my time's were at best pathetic but I kept knocking time off lap after lap which was a good effort, so I was told......! (through the sniggering). After a great day amazingly enough I was offered the chance to "race" still...!!.
So got myself an ACU licence and started booking every track I was going to race at for the coming season. Soon enough it was March and we were at Cadwell for the first race, I was scared witless. Luckily I had a track day on Friday before I had to race on Sunday...........
Somehow I managed to qualify 14th in class and I managed 18th out of 30 in both races, I was chuffed and smiling like I had won the lottery. As the season progressed so did I, actually managing to overtake people and was constantly having great battles with the same guys each race, so new friends made there then, for life. At first I didn't have a clue what I was supposed to be doing, where I was supposed to be doing it and with whom but with Charlotte shouting me in the right direction I slowly learnt about scrutineering, which tickets go where etc, etc. My best race was at Snetterton where I had a coming together with another rider at the end of the first straight and I had to take evasive action onto the grass, I managed to stay upright and made it back on track and then proceeded from last place to take back 6 places, as my team said I had started to "race" now.
My best result was at Cadwell - last race of season where everybody had turned up and I managed a 9th in class and beat a guy who I thought I would never beat and overall I had dropped 14secs off my time throughout the season , I was well chuffed.
Alan & Charlotte asked me to ride the 583cc(The Snot) for the 2007 season and I couldn't say YES quick enough, to say they made a dream come true is an understatement!
I had a better year in 2007, memories of this are leading this field for the first 3 laps at Brands on a very warm April Sunday (unlike the previous year which was monsoon conditions), often fairing bashing with Ali Knight (no relation to AK & CK) & exchanging places with him on track - unless he crashed that is. I managed to bring home some trophies, got on the poduim more than once - and culminated the season off, by coming 3rd overall in Class B!2008 sees me staying with the team (they just wont let me go y'know!) to ride on a higher powered monster in the new ThundersportGB series in the Junior Powerbike class (or is that Thunderpants.. lol) with Clint as my new team mate. Its a wrench to be leaving DD but all good things need to change in a while so bring it on ThundersportGB!!
Photo below taken at Mallory Park 20th May 2007, one of Bones's podium races.
The team have 2 Ducati's out on the grid for 2008 in the Junior Powerbikes class. Both are in the team colours of orange and purple, which have been a familiar sight in previous seasons in the New Era paddock in the Desmo Due classes. Moving to this new series opens up a whole host of modifications that AK can do to the bikes. In the previous series the team took part in, the bikes had to remain very much as standard - rather like the mini-twin rules for forks, engines etc.
Clint is riding 'Tango', with the number #36.
This is a Ducati Monster 800ie, an aircooled twin. The standard bike has been modified for racing by adding:
- Clip-ons,
- Up-rated forks,
- Up-rated brakes
- Rear Ohlins
- 9** fairings,
- Rearsets
- Power commander
- Lightened fly wheel
- Open airbox
- Full exhaust system by MHP
- Sigma full slipper clutch
Tango makes 78 bhp at the rear wheel on a Dyna Pro dyno
Paul is riding 'Snotty2', with the number #39.
This is also a Ducati Monster 800, aircooled twin. The standard bike has been modified to a similar degree as Tango, though the rear shock is from Wilbers.
This bike makes 79 bhp at the rear wheel on a Dyna Pro dyno
Tyres: The team are using Pirelli Tyres - the Super Corsa's and also the Pirelli Rains as well as slicks when appropriate.
This new challenge sees us needing to spend much more on tyres and fuel than in previous years, so we are appealing to anyone who might wish to get involved with the team to contact us - we would be most grateful for any sponsorship - of any amount.
We are happy to discuss what we can do in return for your company/you, from displaying logos on the bikes or van, to carrying leaflets for your company - or do suggest anything else that may suit you for advertising.
Remember, this new series is going to be televised on satellite TV so it could be a good chance of promotion for you.
2008 sponsors already 'on board' with the KRR Team to whom we would like to give a huge thanks:
To whom we would like to give a huge thanks:
Tyres
A team supporter who wishes to remain
anonymous, who has kindly offered to sponsor
pairs of tyres,
Jerry Teague from LSC for a brembo brake kit and
also at least 2 pairs of tyres
Chris 'Webby' Webb of http://www.citri.co.uk for 2 pairs of
tyres
Graham 'Butch' Butcher for 1 pair of tyres AND a
set of tyre warmers
Joanne & Steve at http://www.newink.co.uk for one pair of tyres
for Paul
Race fuel
DaveB916 Bott for the race fuel for one bike
for the season,
Paul 'Ozz' Heliker of http://www.accountax-solutions.co.uk for the
race fuel for the other bike for the season
Engine work
Marion 'Mad Maz' Buchan for major engine work
Much needed items
Harley Richards and Jo O'Brien for van fuel for
at least 3 meetings,
Michael 'Rally' Peatfield for a set of tyre
warmers,
Pete-the-Neighbour for an entry for Paul,
Rob 'Kato' Webb from UKMOC for the donation of a
secure laptop and also engine parts
Mechanical input
John Hackett & Dave Reilly from JHP Ducati
Coventry for assistance with engine tuning & parts,
Neil Barrett (Nelly) of Cornerspeed in Notts, for
all his help & guidance for engine work and programming,
Our biggest expense for the coming season is tyres, which are costing about £200 per set at present. Each bike will need at least one set per meeting and with nine meetings in total you can see how this will add up quite quickly. We will endeavour to get scrubs (part worn tyres) for trackday use where possible to cut down the bill where we can but this will be on a day by day basis as we do not want to compromise safety for the riders..
January 2008 saw the Knight Road Race Team gearing up for a completely new challenge. Having competed for the last three years in the Desmo Due Ducati classes hosted by New Era, the team had kept a very good record throughout this period with their 2 aircooled Ducati's, culminating in winning the Class A championship and also coming 3rd in Class B at the close of the 2007 season.
The team decided to move on to a bigger capacity class, thus giving chief mechanic Alan a new challenge mechanically. Moving to a completely new race promoter for 2008: 'ThundersportGB', to compete in their newly created Junior Powerbike class, which allows up to 80bhp at the rear wheel, many engine mods, as well as the freedom of choice for tyres etc has already proven to be a very enjoyable experience for the team. With only 11 rules for the class there is pretty much a free rein for such items as engines, suspension, tyres etc!
Paul Martin (aka Bones) is back in the seat, this time on a higher capacity Ducati Monster – still proudly displaying his cherished #39. The Team warmly welcomed Clinton 'Clint' Tarnowsky in mid January. Having taken two seasons off the race track, Clint has taken up the reins on a vastly upgraded 'Tango' – previously the championship winning 620 Ducati Monster in 2007. AK & CK complete the team – with AK doing most of the spannering and CK managing the team logistics and financial affairs as usual.
26th August 2008: EXCITING NEWS
We have fantastic news that 50% of the team will be racing at the
World Superbike meeting at Donington on 4th - 7th Sept. Clint has
been offered a place on the grid in the support races - in the
GP1/Sound of Thunder races. Due to the supreme kindness of David
Pratt (one of the K RR teams sponsors), Clint will be lining up on
David's 2007 Buildbase 1098 bike in the Sound of Thunder Races,
with AK & I there as 'support crew'. This is so exciting and
also rather scarey at the same time for us all, as we are looking
forwards to the circus that is WSB but also keeping in mind the
financial implications of such a meeting too. Clint will be going
up from his regular 78bhp ride on Tango - to 186bhp on Daves 1098!!
However, Clint is looking forwards to this challenge as he used to
ride the big watercooled bikes in South Africa and did rather well
on them there. Clint is a Ducati technician working at P & H in
Crawley, so also has to ride shop and customer bikes for
PDI/Service work etc. We all appreciate, that as we do not have any
tracktime for set up between now & next week that Clint &
the bike will not have time to get to know each other, so this may
not produce good results - but what an opportunity!! Clint has 30
mins qualifying on the Friday, then a race on Saturday and also the
Sunday. We would love to offer tickets to all our sponsors and
friends but we are at present limited with paddock passes.
UPDATE: Dismal set up saw Clint Qualify 31st on
the grid on the GP circuit in the GP1/SOT class on the Friday in
torrential rain. Change of rear shock spring and other adjustments
brought Clint a 21st place on the Saturday, followed by 13th place
on the Sunday, also coming 3rd over all in the SOT class with a 2nd
best speed of 233.9 in the class, and a best lap time of
1.48.682 and this was on a rain sodden track. There was great
delight from us all when Clint got called up onto the podium to
collect his trophy.
Scroll down for rider reports throughout the season.
- End of season report by Charlotte & Alan
- Donington and Mallory by Clint
- Nick B #34 takes up the ride on Bones's bike - Donington & Mallory report
- Mangalsey Bone's Last Report Of 2008
- Anglesey by Clint
- GP1 / Sounds of Thunder – WSBK weekend by Clint
- Pembrey by Clint
- Bones's,Clint & Fun Bus Proceed To Pembrey
- Mallory Park by Clint
- Bones, Clint & Fun Bus Malinger To Mallory
- Bones, Nick & the Fun Bus Sneeze To Snettertton
- Snetterton by Clint
- Bone's & The Fun Bus Breeze To Brands Hatch 31st May
- Brands Hatch – Round 4 (by Clint)
- Bones, Nick & Fun Bus Cruise To Cadwell 15thMay
- Cadwell Park – Round 3 (by Clint)
- K RR Team did Cadwell
- Oulton Park – Round 2 (by Clint)
- Bones, Duggee & The Fun Bus Outing To Oulton Park 4th April (by Paul)
- Oulton Park for the K RR team
- Mallory Park 2008 - Clint's report
- Bones, Duggee & The Fun Bus Cruise To Mallory 15th March 2008
- 1st Round for the K RR team – Mallory Park Sunday 16th March 2008
| Clint #36 | |
| Race 1: 3rd | Race 2: 3rd |
| Nick #34 | |
| Race 1: DNS | Race 2: 10th |
| Clint #36 | |
| Race 1: DNF | Race 2: DNF |
| Nick #34 | |
| Race 1: 10th | Race 2: DNS (lent his bike to Clint) |
| Clint #36 | |||
| Race 1: 1st | Race 2: 1st | Race 3: 2nd | Race 4: 1st |
| Paul #39 | |||
| Race 1: DNF | |||
| Clint #36 | |||
| Race 1: 2nd | Race 2: 1st | Race 3: 2nd | Race 4: 2nd |
| Paul #39 | |||
| Race 1: 9th | Race 2: 9th | Race 3: 9th | Race 4: 9th |
| Clint #36 | |
| Race 1: 1st | Race 2: 2nd |
| Paul #39 | |
| Race 1: 6th | Race 2: 8th |
| Clint #36 | |||
| Race 1: 1st | Race 2: 1st | Race 3: 1st | Race 4: 1st |
| Paul #39 | |||
| Race 1: 8th | Race 2: 6th | Race 3: 5th | Race 4: 4th |
| Clint #36 | |||
| Race 1: 7th | Race 2: 7th | Race 3: 4th | Race 4: 5th |
| Paul #39 | |||
| Race 1: 15th | Race 2: 15th | Race 3: 13th | Race 4: 15th |
| Clint #36 | |||
| Race 1: 7th | Race 2: 7th | Race 3: 6th | Race 4: 6th |
| Paul #39 | |||
| Race 1: 11th | Race 2: 11th | Race 3: 11th | Race 4: 10th |
| Clint #36 | |
| Race 1: 10th | Race 2: 6th |
| Paul #39 | |
| Race 1: 13th | Race 2: 8th |
| Clint #36 | |
| Race 1: 5th | Race 2: 5th |
| Paul #39 | |
| Race 1: 13th | Race 2: DNF |
Well, who would have thought in the dark days in January when AK was frantically working on the first of our 2 race bikes, that we would go on to come 2nd in the Junior Powerbike Championship with Clint on bike #36, Paul coming 8th overall – and our good mate Nick stepping in to ride at the last 2 rounds.
From those early days in January when we started work on the bikes things have gone from strength to strength – we were sure they couldn't get worse for us than at the Thundersport GB launch day in February when Clint's bike produced so many gremlins that he was forced by the afternoon to share Pauls bike, whilst AK had a bike of many pieces to sort out.
The first meeting at Mallory Park – where it blew a gale with torrential rain overnight, saw the lads going out for practice on wets for the first time. Clint finished 5th in both races in class, Paul had his first DNF of the season due to an error in reading the flags near Edwina's on the final lap.
A chilly Oulton where Clint had a huge highside on the test day, leaving AK repairing the bike till the early hours so he could race the next day (albeit with a damaged hand) with the last race there being red flagged early due to it starting to snow! Qualifying the lowest place of the year for Clint saw him in 19th place on the grid behind team mate Paul, though Clint skittled his way through to finish in 10th & 6th by the end of each race. Paul qualified in 14th & finished in 13th & 8th.
On to Cadwell for the first 2 day meeting, and completing all races – bikes were running better then, though we had some fast 400's join the grid for the first time. Solid race results again for both, Clint getting 2 x 6ths & 2 x 7ths, Paul coming 11th 3 times & 8th in the last race of the day.
Then to Brands, where Clint so nearly got his first podium, unfortunately he got blocked on the last bend by a back marker riding wide almost beside another back marker. We had huge support from many friends at this round, and though we had the wets on standby, we didn't need to use then in the end. Final results were 2 x 7ths, a 4th & a 5th for Clint, Paul picking up 3 x 15ths & a 13th that weekend.
Then – in the words of the song 'Things can only get better' we went to Snetterton. By now, AK had spent a lot of time (and money) in sourcing new engine parts and doing some tuning – and didn't it pay off? – A complete sweep of all the 4 races there for Clint, despite a cam belt pulley coming adrift on the test day, meaning Clint & Nick headed back to our house on a 6 hr round trip to collect spares AK had at home on the Friday night. Paul also managed to get top 10 finishes in all 4 races there – getting a personal best of the year by coming in 4th in the last race of the day.
Next was Mallory for a one dayer on what was probably the hottest day of the year, where we all came home with sun burn, top 10 finishes for both – 2 podiums for Clint for his 1st & 2nd, and a 6th & 8th for Paul.
Then off to 'sunny' Wales for the bank holiday weekend meeting at Pembrey. Again, the sun did actually shine on us all day for the test day and Saturday, though rain overnight meant a damp start on the Sunday. Clint picked up 3 x 2nds and a 1st with Paul taking a clean sweep of 9ths in class.
A surprise last minute 'outing' saw us heading to the soggy WSB at Donington to take part in the support GP1/SOT races on a 2007 1098s kindly lent to us for the occasion by Dave Pratt for Clint to ride. No practice saw dismal qualifying and Clint on the back of the grid in 31st out of 34 for the weekend. Well, he proved what a great rider he is by coming 21st on the Saturday and then 13th overall on the Sunday and 3rd in the SOT class – his 1st podium on a 1098, beating several well know people in the club racing circuit.
To complete the 'Welsh theme' we went to Anglesey in mid Sept, expecting the worst – as no race meeting had been completed (yet) without strong winds & rain since the track opened in early 2007. Were we proved wrong though – brilliant sunshine for all 3 days there, 3 wins & a 2nd for Clint. Paul had his 'off' in the first race of the meeting and then subsequently spent 4 weeks in Bangor hospital battling his broken collarbone, broken ribs & punctured lung – also fighting MRSA that the NHS gave him whilst there. Big thanks to our good mate Rob for coming up from London on his Ducati Monster to spanner & do the pitboard for the weekend.
Finally, we went to Donington, by this time Clint was leading the championship by a good 44 points. Our good friend & DesmoDue racer Nick Bousted #34 kindly stepped in to ride the 2nd bike for the weekend. Our early season spanner man Doug came along for the whole weekend to give the team help and once again did the pitboard for Clint. Race 1 saw Clint have a huge slide off on lap 4, seeing the bike almost written off on its RH side. Nick B#34 who had been out on Snotty in that race having a good time, kindly agreed to give up his ride in the 2nd race so Clint could go & salvage some points as his closest adversary had just clawed back 25 points by winning the first race. Unfortunately early on in the race whilst sitting about 6th in class, Clint got torpedoed by a rider from behind who had completely missed his braking marker & promptly skittled Clint out of the race! Tony Coombes, Clint's closest rival went on to win the 2nd race too – putting Clint on a deficit of 6 points overnight.
Well, the race was on to get at least one bike ready for the next day – as soon as we had driven to Mallory for the final 2 races. Miracles were worked by AK, Clint & Nick B working till the early hours (apologies to those parked close to us that night) – and then again from before dawn in getting BOTH bikes out on track. Sponsor Jerry Teague had set about collecting parts from his local dealer, whilst John Hackett of JHP responded fantastically to my S.O.S. phone call, coming out mid Saturday evening to meet Nick & myself outside his shop with spare parts. Unfortunately things had been a little rushed & Nick didn't have a happy front brake, so missed race one. Clint went from a dismal (for him) qualifying position of 10th on the 3rd row, to doing such a blinding start each time that he was in 3rd by the middle of Gerrards for each race. Unfortunately due to the lead that Tony Coombes had opened up the lead by winning those races at Donington, this meant Clint had to beat him – which was no mean task! Clint came home safely in 3rd in both races, which was not quite enough to claw back the championship as Tony finished just in front of him in 2nd place each time. Nick came in grinning like he'd won the lottery, having had a fair few battles with the lads on track, some of whom have become good mates to all of the team this year.
Facts & figures of the 2008 season:
30 races - starting and finishing the season at Mallory Park, and
taking in Oulton, Cadwell, Brands, Snetterton, back again for
Mallory, then Pembrey, Anglesey and Donington along the way.
- No podiums for Clint gained till the 13th race of the series - which was at Snetterton – where he steamed home and took all four races.
- 2 x DNF's for Clint in the penultimate round at Donington,
- Paul having a nasty crash in the 1st race at Anglesey thus missing the last 7 races.
- 16 Podiums for Clint in Junior Powerbikes, plus one in Sound of Thunder
- 9 Wins for Clint, 5 x 2nds & 2 x 3rds overall.
- Paul finishing in the top 10 in the championship, though we are awaiting confirmation of this
We've used:
Tyres: 18 sets of Pirelli SC tyres, plus 2 pairs of wets, one wet
rear and also 4 extra front Pirelli slicks in total for the 2
bikes. Fuel: A small smidgen under £500 of petrol for racing,
as well as the lads using their own fuel for the test days prior to
each meeting. About £80 worth of petrol for the generator, I
hate to think what we've used in the way of diesel for the van
(though the 2 x welsh rounds cost in total of £252 alone) We
must have consumed the contents of a small mini-supermarket in food
for the minimum of 3 nights away each meeting, and also drunk a
couple of crates of beer as well as 2 or 3 boxes of wine in total
(the team are all moderate drinkers) in the course of the season.
Repairs & spares along the way have totalled approximately
£1000 to the bikes, though these are mostly attributable over
both bikes hitting the deck at Anglesey and this last weekend at
Donington. Consumables have been the usual for Ducati's, including
3 clutch packs for #36 throughout the year.
So, as I said at the beginning, it's been a long old year – many challenges for riders, the team and chief mechanic AK to overcome.
We couldn't have done this without the part sponsorship of the team from good friends – for this we thank you ALL most enthusiastically – and would like to hope that some of you might like to stay on with us to fight more battles next year with Thundersport GB! TV coverage is already in place for 2009, the provisional dates are all looking good & we have some exciting plans on the drawing board.
Racing isn't a cheap hobby – but by gum – it certainly keeps you busy & entertained and you get to meet the most delightful people too.
Kind regards to all
Charlotte & Alan
www.knightroadraceteam.co.uk
Race report – Donington
Coming in to this last round seemed quite strange that we were at the end of the season already. I can't believe how much racing we have got through and how much we have achieved and learnt on our journey. Sitting at 44 points in the lead and with four races still to go I knew the score and understood exactly what I had to do that was mainly to carry on doing exactly what we had been doing, perform well and stay up right. I was to be joined by Nick Bousted as my team mate and was excited for him. Travelled up with Nick Thursday evening and stayed in a B&B allowing us to be at the track day first thing Friday morning.
Friday track day – The track day was split between Nick and myself as I would have originally shared it with Paul. As far as the track day went, I must say I didn't enjoy it, a few things contributed to that. Number one was that there was a noise limit of 98db, our bike runs at approx. 105db so we had to run db killers which the bike didn't seem to like and also I was tapping off at each bridge point as they had already black flagged me for still being too loud. That was playing with our time on the track. Number two was the fact that we were in the intermediate group, nothing against the intermediate boys out there but the combination of the two did not allow me to get up to race pace until later in the day. There was one more factor that added to the frustration of the track day, we found an extra vibration when scrubbing in the front slick for race day, this left us puzzled as the rim was good and balancing was fine.
Saturday qualifying – We had two qualifying sessions the first qualifying went reasonably well although we were picking up cold tear on the rear tyre. The tyre had done quite a few laps already so I was looking forward to putting a new tyre on. Qualifying two went a lot better, I got a better lap time which put us on the front row although Tony was second on the grid.
Saturday race one – Got an excellent start in fact it was the holeshot. I was soon overtaken by Jamie Wilkins on the Aprillia and Tony Coombs. I was not concerned about Jamie's pass at all but was immediately able to overtake Tony and realised we were strong and could take this to the flag if need be. Just then the race was red flagged as Will Hodgson had an off on Craner Curves. The restart was fairly good again, didn't get the holeshot, slotted in behind Tony ready to pounce, got passed him and was in front of him for a few laps. Went a little wide coming out of Mcleans where Tony got passed and stayed for another lap or so. Just in the middle of Coppice I was right behind Tony,I came up quite close to him so as to get a good exit drive out Starkeys straight I saw he picked up and immediately I did the same to avoid any contact when I brought my bike back down to take the line again the front just washed away instantly. Can't say why this happened. The move I tried, I had done many times before. After the race we noticed strange damage to the front tyre, therefore a possible faulty tyre. Any way no excuses I landed up in the kitty litter thinking I can't believe what had just happened.
Saturday race two – Just to get to race two was a mad rush. After being picked up by the marshals from race one, it seemed forever to get the bike back to the pits. The guys who picked me up wanted to pick up another crashed bike after the next race to make a one round trip. Time was ticking on. We off loaded and everything from then on was hectic. All hands on deck, including Rick Ballerini, Thanks to him for his help. Turns out we couldn't prep my bike in time so thanks to Nick Bousted #34 agreeing that I could use his ride in race two. Though rims and gearing still needed to be swapped over. I had a terrible start in race two I am sure I was about midfield in by turn two. The set up was just so different if I had spanners with me, I would have been adjusting while I was racing but of course not possible so I had to do the best I could. Eventually after making up quite a few places to which position I am not even sure, could have been about 6th and at the chicane before the start finish I was t-boned by a bike that came out of nowhere. While I was crashing I had my eyes closed shaking my head saying no no no please no this isn't happening..... all I could do was hang my head in disbelief I don't think I even looked at the bike I walked straight to the pit wall. Race over. Bad day at the office.
Race report – Mallory
After Donington once we had all packed up and loaded everything we arrived at Mallory. There was a queue outside the front gates which was quite long as they were only letting everyone in after 17h30. No worries we were soon to have set up camp the first order was to have the light on inside the gazebo so we could get repairs from damage done at Donington underway. It was going to be a long night as we were aiming to have both bikes fully repaired and ready to race for Sunday. We were for sure the last generator running in the paddock. The worked seemed constant and never ending - continuing in the early morning to finish off the final bits. Everybody pulled together; we were like a well oiled machine.
Sunday qualifying – I felt terrible in qualifying the bike didn't feel like mine, brakes were different the set up was different, also my head wasn't right plus a few aches and pains added to the flavour of the morning. A disappointing 10th position on the grid didn't surprise me.
Sunday race one – After the dismal qualifying I resorted to the fact that I must just stay on the bike and enjoy we had everything to gain and nothing to loose at this stage. I made changes after the qualifying session to a set up I was more familiar with and felt a lot better in race one. I got an excellent start and was not shutting off the throttle until I absolutely had too to make the corner. I jumped from 10th on the grid to 3rd right up behind Tony Coombs. I chased the front two for as long as I could and just couldn't hang in there. Things still didn't seem spot on, what ever it was the best I could do was 3rd place.
Sunday race two – Race two saw pretty much the same as race one ending up in 3rd place again.
Conclusion – Congratulations to Tony Coombs and family on their championship. From myself just gutted for the team for loosing the championship and the turn of events through both accidents on the Saturday my only real injury was the disappointment we had to deal with - however on the back of that, I am very very very proud of our second place in the championship and all we have achieved this year. I think that we have had an absolute wonderful season and have met and made some great friends. I am very proud to be a part of the Knight Road Race Team and I thank both Alan and Charlotte for the opportunity they gave me to be part of the team. I appreciate all the effort it has taken for them to see a season through. I would also like to thank all the sponsors involved for making the year possible. Thanks to my team mate Paul for being the commendable chap you are and generally all the laughs of the weekend, good riding team mate.
Till next time...
Cheers
Clint # 36
After spending most of the season as SuperClint's sprocket changing consultant I find myself on the receiving end of a call from the boss offering me a chance to ride the bike that tried to kill Bones at Anglesey last month. A quick check to make sure Bones will pull through and his broken toenail is no longer life threatening, then my entry forms are in the post and I've got a proper race bike to ride at last!
The weekend starts with a practice day at Donington, the first time I've ridden the bike. I have a steep learning curve here but I'm looking forward to it; I need to re-learn Donington with a 6-speed box, chose a gearing and try for a bit of suspension setup. The biggest challenge though was to be persuading myself I can corner faster with stickier rubber than I'm used to! I was booked into 4 sessions, but since 3 of these sessions were stopped very early with red flags I found myself seriously short of bike time and I'd have to continue learning and setting up on race day.
Saturday.
Two qualifying sessions on Saturday morning saw the lap times very
slowly drop as I got a bit more familiar with the bike and try for
some suspension tweeks. It's always in my mind that I can't crash
this bike for many reasons, one which will become clear later... I
nibble away at the corner speed, try a few different gear
selections, work out new braking markers and I think I'm not doing
too bad. Not too bad until I see the qualifying sheet - I'm way
down in 30th place and going slower than I did a couple of months
ago on my mini-monster! Need to push a little further I think.
Race 1 see's a reasonable start, but a couple of bikes in front close off my route through the pack. I'm only a couple of places up on where I started. After two laps the race is stopped, we all sit waiting at Goddards for the restart, I see Clint is waiting here with us so good to see it's not him on the deck. We soon restart and this time I dump the clutch, the bike lurches forward but the front wheel stays on the ground so I keep it nailed. This has to be my best start EVER, I must've passed 4 rows on the way to Gerrards and found myself having to decide if I should hold my ground and fight with the quicker guys or throttle off and go back to where I should be! The decision was made for me as Grandad John and his Hornet slide gracefully across my path, making me park mid corner and have to manouver around so I'd be exiting turn 1 with just a couple of bikes behind. The race goes on, I pick up more confidence in the tyres and make some overtakes. I see a couple of bikes in the distance and think "I'm gonna catch them bugga's". So I chase them down, fly past them both on the brakes into Goddards in a demon late move from a good 20 yards back and I still make the corner! Yeah!!!
Half way through the race I go into Coppice with yellow flags waving, and I'm gutted to see Clint picking hismself out of the gravel. He's gone down and lost valuable championship points. Although his bike looks perfectly Ok I'm reminding myself to keep the second bike safe in case Clint needs it, but I see more riders in the distance and I'm catching up, I want to chase them down to make up some more places. I tentatively bite a bit more off my lap times but there's not enough laps to close them down and I'm shown the chequered flag just yards before getting lapped by the winner. I finish 21st overall and 10th in class, but most importantly the bike is back in one piece.
When Clint's bike eventually gets delivered back to the garage it's obvious it won't be fit for race 2, so I hand over the keys to 'my' bike and let the poor little chap go out again to defend his championship lead. Clint learns right away what it's like to try adapting to a different bike and finds himself down the order mixing with other riders. He gets tangled up in someone elses crash, bends another bike and watches the race continue without him.
We get to Mallory park and set up camp. There's no delay in getting to work fixing the bikes but it's going to be a long night! Hard graft from all the team sees both bikes ready to go in time for qualifying. I have a terrible time, finding myself behind a bike spraying oil so now I have no confidence at all in the grip, I don't want to crash on the oil so pull in. I qualify in 23rd position.
Race 1 was a bit of a non event for me on the #34 bike, I get half way round the warm-up lap and the bike seems to have lost all power. I pull in the clutch and without even touching the brake the back wheel is getting some air time - the front brake has locked solid! Only thing to do is pull in and don't take the start. AK gets inventive and fixed the front brake for race 2, so all is good again and I get to take to the grid. My start is kind of average, I get a few places from the lights but lose them again around Gerrards. I hate Gerrards! A couple of laps into the race and I realise Clint won't be needing the bike again, so now I can have some fun!
Now I'm racing, I'm riding with nothing on my mind but beating the fella in front so the chase is on. There's some great fights all the way through the race, including one guy on some big old Kawasaki who'd left me for dead in qualifying. So I chase him, catch him and win the "who dares to brake last" contest into Edwina's. After that I see no more of him. The next few laps are spent dicing with a lad on a 400; I would ride round his outside through Devil's Elbow and he'd come back past in Gerrards (still don't like that corner very much!). This continued until Rik Ballerini and Tony Coombes came through to lap us, I had to yeild and lost time so my fight was over. There's one lap to go and I'm waiting through every corner for Clint to come by, but he doesn't show himself until the very last corner of the last lap.
What a perfect finish to the last raceof the year, with both the KRR bikes taking the chequered flag side by side!
It was a tough weekend, but a great experience riding with such a well oiled team. Thanks to Bones for falling off, AK and CK for letting me step in, and massive respect to Super Clint for being my hero all year!
NickB #34
Well as I am sure you all know I didn't write a report for Angelsey as I didn't actually finish any of the races DOH !!.Instead I spent 3 weeks in Bangor Hospital being looked after by a bunch of gorgeous nurses , who basically I owe my life too ,considering I was in a real mess I had the best time you could have being in that situation ,they made me laugh ,they made me cry they were fantastic . For those that don't know I had a collapsed lung, multiple broken ribs and a broken collarbone and while in hospital I contracted two infections, pneumonia & MRSA and had a seizure due to the pain caused by the second chest drain, I was told the only reason I pulled through this ordeal was because I was young (luv that) and very fit. Even though I spent 4 weeks in hospital I wasn't bored as I had so many people ring & visit it was great. Special thanks too George & Dave two guys from the "MonsterUK Club" I didn't know them at all in the beginning but they took time out from there busy lives to visit & keep Vix informed , they were great , I cannot thank you enough guys really. Also Brien & Merideth two maintenance guys at the hospital who race, they came and saw me nearly everyday top blokes they really were, thanks guys. I have to mention my mate Carl, he rode up took him about 8hrs on his GXSR600 unbelievable. Because I was under controlled barrier nursing due to the MRSA everybody had to wear gloves and plastic aprons, have to say Carl looked hilarious in his full leathers and plastic apron, priceless, cheers mate I was speechless when I saw you.
I am now at home convalescing and getting stronger every day I cant really do much which is killing me slowly, but I am lucky too have good friends and neighbours, so thanks a million people.
Its funny I actually like writing these reports as it gives me a chance to relive the weekends all over again when I write them and I honestly thought that only a few people may read then now and again , but when I was at last back home I saw my Postie (great bloke) he said "Paul I missed reading your report what happened, you ok" and as time went on quite a few people said "what happened to your report mate", to tell you the truth I was really chuffed because most of the people who it turns out read my reports have no interest in bikes or racing , how cool is that.
I was determined to try and make the last race of the year at Mallory, so my good friend Carl came up with me in case I had a funny turn. It was weird to be there with the team and not race, but a nice weird .Nick had taken my place for the last two races and I have too say he was looking a happy nervous but he did the team and me proud and he had a great time. My aim this year even though I was lying to myself was to try and get top 10 I would have been happy with a top 20 finish to be honest so before my accident I was in 6th place, chuffed to bits but as I have missed 9 races, 8 due to the accident and 1 DNF at the beginning of the year & I still finished 8th overall I am totally made up for me and the team. My ever amazing team-mate Super Clint did have some really bad luck over the last few races which were out of his control and he came 2nd overall it was a fight all the way to the last race and congratulations to Tony Combs on being Junior Powerbike Champion. Kevin Smith was close to being overall 3rd but what has to be the most spectacular crash of the year with his bike flying over the crash barrier and catching fire and he walked away with a broken hand, one lucky guy Smithy.
Huge Thank You
First and foremost too Alan & Charlotte for letting me have the
chance and making the leap into Thundersport GB with KRR and for
giving me the awesome bike to ride "Snotty2". Super Clint for being
a great friend and team-mate and awesome to watch and learn from.
Nick, Slob & Doug for the great company in the fun bus &
over the many weekends spent changing wheels, gearing etc, cheers
guys couldn't off done it without you. Pete the neighbour, Jo &
Steve , Jerry, Dave Pratt, Marion, Kato ,Webby , Butch , Dave Bott
, Ozz , Rally , Harley & Jo for all the help throughout the
year I cannot thank you enough.
All my family and friends for supporting me again, and coming to watch me go round in circles. To the Fun Bus for getting me and whoever is in it and all the bits and bobs Al couldn't fit in the van to the tracks in sumptuous comfort with 100% reliability. To all the Thundersport staff, what a fantastic first year you have given us, I used to hate scrutineering but even that was fun wi