(Sorry this took so long to post) Donington was always going to be a tough weekend for us with my Dad away at work and me still feeling the effects of a shoulder injury I picked up at Cadwell Park. We had also entered the National Superstock 600 race in addition to the Triumph Triple Challenge. The decision to do this had been based on next year’s provisional plans and that they could possibly be taking us down this route. We really wanted to gauge how competitive I might be and preferably at a circuit that I had a bit of prior experience. Thankfully though we would have some extra help in the form of sponsors David Willis of the Adwill Print Group and Kevin of Big Dawg Customs, who not only helped out as pit crew but supplied me with the tyres to enable me to compete in the Stk 600 class, thank you so much guys! Friday started off with Stk 600 free practice in which I just tried to stay out of trouble and put in a nice steady run. I ended the session in P 38 on a 1:38.7 only 0.7 off my previous personal best round Donington. With only 45 minutes until the TTC free practice it was all hands to the pump to get the bike refuelled and checked over prior to getting out again! Heading out I felt pretty relaxed and settled in to a steady session and just concentrated on getting into a good rhythm, which worked out really well ending this session in P6 (P2 in the Cup class) on a 1:37.8. However I didn’t have much time to dwell on this as we had less than two hours to get tyres changed fuelled and organised for Stk 600 qualifying one. I have to say this was a bit of an eye opener for me with 40 grid slots available and 46 bikes out on track going for it! Qualifying two was on Saturday and there was a good chance of rain forecast so everyone was out there trying to get in a qualifying time. My main goal here was to keep out of trouble as the TTC is my main class and I didn’t want to risk a crash with so little time between sessions and TTC qualifying coming up next, nonetheless I got my head down and just tried to be smooth which was easier said than done as It was obvious these guys were trying hard and taking no prisoners out on track! To my delight and I have to admit somewhat surprise, I had qualified in P 32 on a 1:36.9. I was really pleased as the un-tuned TTC bikes are probably about 10 – 15 horse power down on the Stk 600 bikes and are only allowed to run standard suspension components, so yes I was really chuffed! Next up TTC qualifying, which didn’t go quite as I had hoped. As I managed to find myself a bit of space and start to build on my laps the red flag came out as Keiron Newman had gone down and required medical attention (hope you’re feeling better keiron). With 11 minutes left we were held in pit lane until things had been cleared up. As we headed out I tried to get on with it but struggled to get back into a good rhythm and as the flag came down on the session I was relatively happy with P8 on a 1:37.4. Time to get the bike cleaned, re-fuelled and fresh rubber fitted. After 90 minutes on track my shoulder was starting to feel it, but I was happy with how the day went. Saturdays Stk 600 qualifying two started off well but after a couple of laps the forecast rain arrived in the form of a misty drizzle which left the track a bit damp and greasy. Grid positions were not going to change today. We sat out a fair bit of the session in the pit lane before venturing out again to get a feel for the track should this weather continue into the afternoon for the TTC race. The session finished and we ended P29 on a 1:40.8 meaning we would be starting Sundays race from Fridays qualifying position, P32. The TTC race was up next and although things had dried up considerably track grip levels were definitely not as good as the previous day and in hindsight I wish we had gone for slightly softer set up. I got a reasonable start and just tried to keep things smooth, unfortunately a big slide down Craner curve lost me a fair bit of time and somewhat unnerved me. I decided to back off a little and run a more comfortable pace, a decision that paid off as Sam Thompson was caught out and slid off at Goddards. This meant I was now leading the cup class, I spent the next seven laps in what felt like the longest race of my life willing the chequered flag to come out! Eventually it did and I crossed the line 9th overall but absolutely elated to have taken my first cup win! Sunday arrived and the weather was perfect for racing, I couldn’t wait to get out on track! The morning warm up session was steady and allowed me to scrub fresh tyres and bed in new brake pads, I was feeling good for the race which would be due to start in an hour and a half. When the lights changed I got a good start and dived into the first corner holding a tight line to try and run up the inside of the melee of bikes ahead, I couldn’t believe my eyes as a rider in front of me lost the rear and was catapulted into the air in a massive high side, I just managed to just duck through the inside avoiding the carnage as his bike cartwheeled down the track! This brought out the safety car for three laps in order to clear the track. As the car pulled in I was able to make a pass into Redgate and get my head down, the race was frantic and I was battling the whole time and was amazed how quickly it was all over, I had crossed the line in P22 in my first Stk600 race, and all things considered I have to confess I was really pleased with how it had gone. We would now have a six hour wait for the second Triumph Triple Challenge race. I was able to make another strong start in this race, but unfortunately lost positions after having yet another big slide down Craners, putting me way of line and leaving me open to being mugged into the old hairpin by two pursuing riders. It took me a few corners to regain my composure but I had already lost contact with the group in front although my pace was quick enough to gap the group behind, this allowed me to bring it home in a lonely 10th place and 2nd in the cup. I am now looking forward to testing at Silverstone GP and Brands Hatch GP circuits in preparation for the final two rounds of the season. I would very much like to thank David and Kevin of Adwill Print Group and Big Dawg Customs for helping me out over the weekend at Donington, you really made the difference! I would also like to pass on my thanks to David and Chris Threadgill for keeping me straight with my bike over the weekend, Clydebank Oil, Willis School of Motoring, Earnshaws Motorcycles, Motorcycle Law Scotland and Flowers of Scotland, I really do appreciate your help and support and would not be here without you all. Max #21
Posted on: Sun, 14 Sep 2014 08:40:07 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015