KRR AT CADWELL 5^TH / 6^TH OCTOBER  2007

FRIDAY

Even if I say so myself I am very punctual but we had a power cut in middle of the night and I woke up at 07:00 the time we should have been leaving ,OPPPPPPPPPS….jumped in the “Batvolv”  and awaaaaayyyy.

Well as Cadwell is miles away it was back in the “Sunshine Bus” for me & Dougie (or Doogie in French) with CK stuck in the back for being a  smoker, which didn’t last long (only about 2 and a half hours) so me and Dougie were roughly woman-handled into the back as CK was freezing , we know our place……..HEE-HEE-HEE.

I was lucky that CK was able to book me a half-day on the ACU track day and we managed to get there ok even after the later start...DOH. We saw OD2,ALI etc they had all had slow off’s as slippery ,now I was worried as a new tyre to scrub in. Well it was slippery but I took it easy and wobbled round, it was an ok afternoon session but due to everybody falling off i really didn’t get into the swing of it, but hey ho. After the TD finished I then spent most of the night with Dougie, Skids and the Parts bloke putting Graham Blakeys bike back together so he could make Sat qualifying.

SATURDAY

I had entered the 400,500,600 (SV) race to get me head right, well I qualified  like a numpty  and I was well off the pace compared to my DD colleagues up to 4secs….geeeeezzzz. The races were manic loads of bad offs which I hope they are all ok. I had a great race but my times were shocking but I was still happy . This did make me larf - everybody even though they meant well kept coming up too me and saying “never mind or what happened” the thing is I was going as fast as I could its just that the others were faster .With Claire helping me telling where I was slow and Eric confirming this and then telling me if I didn’t get quicker he would get the people in the grandstand to throw stones at me , well there’s a incentive if I ever had one.

Sat night a few glass of vino,chocolate and a larf……NICE. While we all staggered off to bed AK was still sticking stickers………………..i swear he has a sticker fetish ! , bike was looking awesome though as AK had Paul Foote make special stickers up for the last round.

SUNDAY

DD RACE1

I knew what I had to do to try and stay 3^rd but my qualifying was horrendous and Andy Challis who was chasing my 3^rd was on front row where as I was languishing in 11^TH  …. SOB SOB  BOO-HOO . But  on the bright side I was next too my old sparring partner “Senna” who loves Cadwell and is as fast as anything so now I was even more worried.

So my saving grace get a good start which I am normally good at even though for some strange reason I always miss a gear off the start on this track. LIGHTS OUT I was OFF… by the first corner after somehow going through the smallest of gaps between “Lee the ‘Ardest Hairdresser In The World’ Bown & Mark ‘Shoulders Are Us’ Foskett” I was in approx 3/4^th this was mainly thanks to Eric and Claire’s instruction’s/orders , Thanks guys. But going into the Goose Neck with Harriet leading & me behind Andy Challis , Harriet went down HARD on the left side ,Andy went Right I went left somehow we missed her Thank God  , but it was close Andy and I came back on together wobbling like mad he got the run into Mansfield, too be honest I was a bit shaken up, we came round again and saw Harriet up - phew, she is one tough cookie.

Well after that I stuck me head down and went round in circles as fast as I could or dared , without realising the carnage going on around me as another 3 or 4 guys coming off, I had managed a 5^th  I was stoked not my best or my worst result but what a race ……..FANTASTIC FUN.

RACE 2

All the fallers in Race1 were all back out which was great news. A great start again and by first corner I was approx 6/7 th, coming into the mountain flip –flop Harriet looked like she missed a gear so somehow I managed to go underneath her up the mountain and off , problem was Murray was trying to go round the outside and they came together, race was Red flagged and a restart (Harriet dazed but ok & Murray has the biggest swelling in the world on his left arm) . Yet again another blinding start and the highlight of my weekend was going round the outside of “Championship Leader Shepp” and some how managed to keep in front of him for a few laps but eventually he got by and I followed him round ( I apologised later for holding him up and he said I didn’t he was trying to get past me I was more chuffereder than ever now) .”Mark Shoulders Are Us Foskett” got his own back by stuffing  me up the inside into the hairpin, ballsy move goodness knows how he stopped his bike but good on ya .This time  I managed to take 7^th place , yet again not brilliant but I managed to sort of stay with the fast guys and it was a fantastic race.

THANK YOU’S

A huge massive, super-dooper thanks too AK&CK because basically without them I would have been lucky to be in 30^th let alone 3^rd in the Championship and that’s a fact.

Pete-The–Neighbour for race entries and being the best neighbour you could have.

David Brent for fuel, Mad Mazz for tyres and Henners for Assen, etc.

To Vix, Mum&Dad,. Also DD’er’s Murray&Bev, Senna&Trudi, Stumpy&Cheryl ,Chass,Claire&John, ,Ian,Eric, Ali,Nick, Rattler, Harriet&Cobby, Andy Chalis for all the larfs , advice and great racing also to all the old & new guys this year hope too see you next year.

Dougie for being my van & tent buddy .

Steve for all the fantastic camera work , Speilberg look out there’s a Brown about.

Kyle for winning his Class A Championship and to Andy Shepp for winning Class B , well done guys its nice to be in the same class but you two are in a different league .

Last but not least Donna Watson my Osteopath who without her healing hands I wouldn’t be able to walk properly let alone race and you know you have a good one when  she said the other day “Its gonna hurt but I want you too win” …………Top burd, thanks Donna.

To sum up I had two mate’s come to Cadwell and they commentated on the camaraderie  between the whole of DD and were surprised that we all did our best to get our competitor’s back out on track & basically the whole “Family Atmosphere” , there words not mine.

Two of my favourite pictures of the year below

ITS BEEN A FANTASTIC YEAR I CANT BELIVE ITS GONE BY SO QUICK

KKR AT SNETTERTON 1^st&2^nd Sep

Well this time back in the “Sunshine Bus” but we only made it 2miles up the road and one of the “Diesel Injectors” went pop, I peddled back to base to get my car so I could pick up bits , AK sent me to a Commercial Dealer ( I wont name names) well after being in there for what seemed like ages with 4 gimps with bad shirts and ties sitting doing nothing I eventually lost my rag and shouted I needed help here, eventually they got me a parts guy who sold me the most expensive washers in the WORLD, then AK called, it’s the clamp we need ,parts guy HUH no clamps or injectors. ARRGGGGG .

Got back to AK&CK found a part in Aldershot, CK jumped in moaning the way I drive it will take all day, so I put my pipe to one side took me flat cap off changed me slippers for shoes & deflated me blow up Labrador in the back & made sure me Thermos was tightly done up…and went for it, have too say only time I have ever heard CK go quiet ..HEH-HE-HEH. Back at van with bit “Super F1 AK” on the case, fitted in no time off we go again. Think we missed all the traffic and we got there late, thanks too John & Claire letting me kip in there van pity they weren’t in it .maybe next time guys & gals….woohoooooo.

SATURDAY NON POINT SCORING

I like Snett so felt quite confident, Harriet had entered the same races as me ,so yet again we could play with each other, I had not been there since last year but still happy. We were in with the “SV650, 400 & Hornets”, I got a pretty bad start as got bogged down by taking the wrong line , got me head down start chasing Harriet, on the last lap i went round the outside of Harriet at Corram’s , we were concentrating so hard on each other that when we looked up for the chicane there was a Hornet,,AARGG I went to the left “H” went to the right I braked so late that i was never going to make it and didn’t , I had to take evasive action over grass…oooooooo..rrrrrrr stay upright ooo im ok.ahhhhhhhh I glanced over too my right “H” had missed the Hornet , my right hand took over I pinned the throttle got back on track after squirming all over but “H” had the drive and it was close over the line , I took 2^nd but did have the Fastest Lap on 583. Eric69# & John55# came up after as they were right behind and said they saw me pin it on the grass as mud & stuff flew out of the back wheel and couldn’t believe I stayed on.

Second race better start this time I was in the lead with “H” right up me **** as usual I’m not even sure what lap it was but came in to Russell’s Chicane and went down like a sack of spuds…OIL @~*&%$ AND OTHER CARTOON SWEARING…I stopped spinning a bit winded but seemed ok got up staggered over too bike to turn her off and then .…………WHAM,BAM….. NEXT THING I KNOW A BLOKE WHO APPRENTLY I SAID “LOOKED LIKE A POTATOE “WAS ASKING ME QUESTION’S..NOT GOOD I’M THINKING………….i had been hit from behind by a fellow DD’s bike , I thought oh well at least it was someone I know, it was Zimbo also another 2 guys were off as well . I was now winded twice and fuzzy as hell I wasn’t making much sense, they put me on a stretcher with a neck brace and then I got a free ride in an ambulance where I was told I was thrown into the air did a somersault and landed on my front, thank god for buying a chest protector after seeing  “DCRED” cheers mate owe ya big time. The Doc’s did all the test and its confirmed I have no “BRAIN” and I was ok-ish nothing broken just badly bruised , I hobbled out , knicked CK’s bike and wheeled back to garage where everybody after they realised I was ok soon started to take the pee , I wouldn’t have it any other way.. THANKS TO ALL THE DD’RS FOR YOUR KIND WORDS….

AK was already fixing my bike it was quite funny as it resembled my Dullville as the front fairing was straight up like a tourer but without the panniers . Gear linkage & footpeg gone a few scratches but otherwise ok .

I was ordered to sit down and relax by “Nurse Trudy” she was fantastic she made all me Hot bits Cold, I was stiff for a bit then it slowly went away …due I hasten to add from the pain killers !!. Later that night I huddled under my blanket with 1 glass of wine talking too the whole off “DD” as everyone was in the garage, I’m not sure about the painkillers working but all the laughing I did made the pain go away, thanks again everyone.

RACE  DAY

I didn’t really sleep much but thanks again to John & Claire for use of there van. I wobbled up to Medi-center on a push bike Doc was waiting for me, as if I passed medical  DD was on track at 09:00am I did the push-ups ,jump around etc ,he passed me fit to race, bugger did I ache like crazy. AK in pits with Snot running I had made Qualifying. Well I went round as fast as i dared , didn’t help that I saw Lee30# have a massive slid at Russell’s same chicane and then approx. another 3 guys fell off at Russell’s , I qualified in 10^th (Que. more cartoon swearing) 4 sec slower than Sat, I ached and hurt everywhere I was glad to get off . I rested until Race1 ,really cant remember Race1 but I do remember missing gears even on the straight as I couldn’t move me foot properly . I hope Andy Challis is ok as he had an off at Corram’s . I went too see him he was standing there holding his hand and I limped round we looked at each other and laughed and then we got told off by his mum , I left sheepishly.

RACE 2

Old AK bless him was making me watch bikes go through Russell’s “ if they aint coming off its alright, get ya head sorted” as usual he was right .While we waited for Race2 my old adversary “Murry” aka “Team Mint” was saying “im gonna ave ya Bones” lucky “Bevaloid Mint” was in attendance too keep an eye on him this weekend , as she is a classy burd no weeners in a tin this time .

Got a better start this time & most of the race I was playing with “Murray & PhilC” I knew I had to get in front of them as soon as poss  , all three of us kept swapping back and forth but eventually I managed to pass them both get my head down & I could see Tonio, Jason & AK47 in front I was slowly reeling them in , Tonio out braked himself  and went across the grass which helped me catch him up sooner ,  I managed to slipstream him and just get him on the line, which as it has happened to me before it is a right downer and as you can see on the video I apologised in the pits…but that’s racing I suppose. I managed an 8^th and my lap time’s were quicker than the Race1 by 3.5secs, I was happy with that and I managed to keep my hold on 3^rd place in Championship……………..just !!! .

THANK YOU’S

The medical staff at Snetterton FANTASTIC if its possible to have an enjoyable time on a stretcher I had it with them, Trudy god I love that women she’s a blinking Saint, Track Marshall’s for doing there job and seeing if I was ok later, Assembly Angel Terry for just being you, CK for the grub & AK for sticking the bike back together to get me back out there and as always thanks to all the DDrs for just being you .

 
PRICLESS.........

Cannot remember who said it too me but I quote “ Thanks Bone’s I saw you go down so I avoided it” HA-HA- PRICLESS

See vid of race2on PhilC site……  http://kapitalmototv.co.uk/play-124-0.html  

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Well the KRR Sunshine Bus set off at 03:30am which meant I was up at 02:00am…..zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz , as myself and Kyle had a TD on the Fri . Same old faces when we arrived we bagged a spot for van & tents , I have only been here a couple of time but I like Oulton everything about it seems right, paddock, toilets , garage, ooo and the track of course. My goal to equal my race time from last year. Weather was good only a few damp patches which we all had slides on , but the TD went well and I managed to equal my race time, chuffed .

1^st Race

I had to qualify front row which I did and it was an honour to be in 4^th with Ian Cobby Ex BSB, Mono racer in pole as guest rider. Lights out and I was trying to challenge Cobby into the first corner he had the line so settled in 2^nd which I knew wouldn’t be in long as Shep passed me into Cascades and then Cleggy got me on brakes into Shell hairpin I settled down trying to keep Shep/Cleggy in touch but geez this was there local circuit and they were quick. I knew Ali was behind I was itching to look but “NO DON’T”, on lap 4 coming into Lodge grabbed a load of Neutrals up ,down nothing and then Ali got passed……..ARRRRGGGGGGGGGG, found a gear got going again and off chasing Ali, passed Ali thank goodness into Shell Hairpin put me head down grabbed a slight lead and finished 4^th in the race but really 3^rd as Cobby was a guest rider no trophies or points.

2^nd Race

This race was to be a 4 lap sprint as there were a few offs in the races before mine , my team-mate Kyle (he ok thank god) and a massive incident in the GXSR Cup in wich Jamie Wilkinson “Fast Bike” journo was badly injured and airlifted out with a damaged neck, hope he gets well soon.

Yet another great start slotted into 2^nd place again....... (see pic below) 

......and yet again Shepp & Cleggy passed me but this time I was determined to stay with them ,they did pull a gap but I was amazingly still in touch with them , l knew I had to pull a lead on 5^th just incase there were any problems , first lap was hold ya breath going round Shell hairpin as this is the oil Kyle came off on , which carried on through to the first chicane Foulstons there was cement dust everywhere but once through and  all  ok head down, arse up trying to stay with Shepp/Cleggy. Coming into lap 3 ½ at the Foulston chicane with the cement I yet again hit a  false neutral which as I had no drive made me enter the chicane in a scary off line kind off way, I managed to turn while still in neutral going wide but kept it off the grass “just” ,now rolling up the hill desperately trying to find a gear ……………….AAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGG…………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………..it was that man again Ali……….damn and blast , suddenly found a gear went into my famous tourettes overdrive we arrived at last corner Lodge with Ali weaving all over place blocking any line , we where neck and neck on the line Ali beat me by a 1000 sec so talk about close, I was gutted to have lost a 3^rd place would have been  nice to do a double but that’s racing and I didn’t mind losing it too Ali as he’s a thoroughly top bloke , so well done Ali.

A big thank you to Claire & John who ride for OD2 ,Chass’s Team as KKR stayed at theirs on sat night for a BBQ and we travelled back in the morning with a load of other DD’rs top night had by all.

Commiseration’s to Kyle as he came off on oil while in the lead and now he is sitting in 2^nd place in the championship which I am in no doubt he wont be there long  ,,,,,,,roll on Castle Coombe dude  back on top where you belong.

But I must say a “MASSIVE THANK YOU” too “Pete-The-Neighbour” as without his help I doubt I would have been at Oulton, once again mate you have done me proud, thanks a million ,trillion zillion.

Picture below of Paul leading his group, with Ali Knight & Andy Challis hard on his heels

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Assen: Unfortunately, Paul suffered an injury to his back at home which meant that he was unable to go to the Assen meeting.

He took time out to rest before going to Oulton for the next points round

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Mallory Park, May 20th 2007

Friday 18^th May Trackday

Well the second round was upon the KRR team and I for one was as nervous as hell, this mainly due to coming here a month ago and having to bin the 583 at “Shaw’s Hairpin” due to a muppet on an R1. We arrived early Friday morning as we were both booked in for the Track Day with me somehow booked in the fast group, now even more nervous. The day went well and managed to be a constant low 1:07 not brilliant but ok-ish .It rained at the end of the day and it went into Open-Pit-Lane so I went out as gingerly as a I dare, only to be caught, passed and left by my constant adversary  #90 Murray, well that took the complete wind out of my sails leaving me muttering and kicking myself while Murray was on top of the world.

 Race day

Timed Practice

Sunday was great weather but windy, we had untimed practice which was a first and greatly needed for myself, a few minor adjustments and was feeling happy. We all lined up for timed practice in pits and suddenly Phil #71 went flying through the pits on a mission nearly taking out pit-lane Marshall as he thought we were all out qualifying, so that lightened the mood as shoulders were giggling up & down.

A few accidents in timed q but I managed a 1:06 if nothing but consistent, I was a bit gutted to find I had qualified in 9^th, not a happy bunny at all.

Race 1

I got a good start but they were clawed back into Edwina’s and then Red Flags came out so a restart, yet another good start but again lost a few places into Edwina’s ,settled down but then coming out of  Devils Elbow & Griff #64 in the middle of the track as he had high-sided, Red Flagged again, so 3^rd restart, by now without quite a few other racers whether it be because they had crashed or there bike’s/clutches had gone wrong, this time a absolute blinding start up into 3^rd place but on wrong racing line just to tight and in the wrong gear so all the little blighters go round the outside…GGGRR. This time the race was ON #75 Andy blocked passed me so that I had to stand bike up into Edwinas, pheww that was close ,but got my own back took him on the inside into Gerrads the fastest corner on circuit. I could see Murray and Toni up in front I was slowly gaining on them and then on goodness knows what lap Murray went down at Edwinas trying to outbrake Tonio, just missed Murray as he lay doing his Cockroach impression (he ok dislocated thumb), another lap and I was right behind Toni my old duelling partner, he may be French but he is fast and looks well cool without trying. Tucked in behind him down the straight, got him I thought up the inside flat out into Gerrads, AARRGGG he came across my front…...ZOOT ALORE, ok back off ,go round the outside AARRGGG he’s pushing me wide , I back off ( wouldn’t think we were best of friends)   righto Frenchie up side by side into Edwinas “THANK GOODNESS”  I out brake him and pass him and then I start too pull a lead, I see a bike in front I’m catching him too quick it’s a backmarker , I passed him and beat him to chequered flag ,RACE OVER………pheeeeeeeeeewwww . I  managed 3^rd place with a time of 1:04……….. woooooohoooooooooooo ………………………………..another Trophy.

Too see the race check out the onboard camera footage I took ,the link is on Phil C a DD Racer’s site its awesome.              http://www.kapitalmototv.co.uk/?c=desmodue

Race 2

Yet again we had 3 starts and by now all of us were exhausted and very hot , I didn’t get a very good start on the 3^rd and final start and had too make a few places up round Gerrads , then for most of the race I was in a constant battle with 75# & 114#  as were having our own little race within a race I lost out too both of them as I went too wide into Gerrads and just couldn’t claw back the pace and I managed a 6^th place ,which last year I would of been ecstatic with but now I feel I should  do better, but better to gain 3 places than lose 3 places.

Thanks To

 The KRR Team were very happy with myself and Kyle ,as Kyle did the double and gained the lap record and now he is sitting in 1^st place in his leader board and I am currently sitting in 3rd , so yet again another brilliant weekend for the Team and our sponsors. Next Bikefest at Donnington .

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Bones' & KRR Day Out At The Races At Brands Hatch 15^th April

Bones leading the pack at Paddock Hill

First race of the season Sunday 15^th April and to say I was nervous, worried and excited would be an understatement. Desmo Due was first out for Timed Practice so I took my mind of it by listening to Neil Diamond & calming “DCRED” down. Practice went well after a lot of argy bargey and the “Assembly Angels” nearly getting squashed , I was happy with my bike and I managed to pass a few people. Amazingly out of 57 bikes as New Era had combined A & B Grids together I qualified 15^th overall and I managed 3^rd grid slot in my B Race ………...still in shock about that   !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

Race 1

Well first time on the front row and I was scared witless as no one in front or to follow, the light’s went out and we were OFF and when I arrived at Druids I was leading the race, how the hell did that happen ?, did everyone else fall off !. After the first lap I started thinking the race had been stopped and I was the only one out there ,I didn’t see any flags and then after 2/3 laps “Griff”  passed with a few others and I went into Tourettes overdrive. I still couldn’t believe the company I was in, as i battled close with “Harriet & Cleggy” we swapped a few times but they were too fast for me, so a last ditch attempt at Clearways up the inside prompted a near high-side which had my chest flung onto the front faring whilst my foot lost the peg but I kept the power on and managed to salvage 6th place…highest for me ever and between gasping for breath and grinning I couldn’t of been happier for me or the team.

Race 2

Yet again lead the race (getting better at this racing me-larky) a bit more at ease this time but only a matter of time before I got caught, “Zimbo” flew past and vanished and took “Griff”  with him, “Jon” got passed at Driuds but I managed to sneak back under at Graham Hill and then got my head down and started to keep pace with “Griff & Zimbo”  we pulled a  lead from the following pack and started to meet backmarkers which were a bit easier to deal with the second time as yet another first for me in Race 1. The race was Red Flagged as Jon went down at Paddock, I and all of DD wish him a speedy recovery. I managed to obtain my first ever 3^rd place and a trophy to covert. First time I have ever won a trophy that I don’t have to give back after a year. Now I was just a walking smile whilst spouting gibberish.

Thanks To

My many thanks goes out to AK,CK,Vix &, Ma&Pa and all my friends and family who supported me on the day also to my fellow DD’rs who have given me great advice. A massive round of applause for my team-mate Kyle who managed a 1^st & 2^nd , it was a great day for KRR and my sponsor London Golf . I was so happy I popped in for a cup of tea with my good friend and sponsor Pete-The– Neighbour to tell him how I got on ,as without his help I wouldn’t of had the set of tyres to change after that massive slide/ near high-side in race 1, cheers mate.