[skidlids]

Today at Thruxton was a perfect example of why club racing has gone down hill as far as North Glos club is concerned, It is also a good example of why you shouldn’t bother racing a Ducati or any other Sound of Thunder bike for that matter.
The day didn’t start to badly, left home at 05:45am to make my way to Thruxton, arrived around 7am and parked up and unloaded the 916 in a light drizzle, next it was off to the A&R racing paddock support van to see Jay and get my race numbers, next was scrutineering which was no problem, then to signing on and get my practice pass. I was down for 2nd practice, which was due to run at 9:10am. As practice crept closer it continued with the light rain so I opted for a front wet and a worn rear wet, as I didn’t think it wet enough for a good rear wet.
Practice went really well and I came back in having thoroughly enjoyed myself.
Now everything had to stop for about a hour and a half for the church break
This is when Gordy turned up so I wandered down to the entrance to give him his ticket for getting in. When race 1 came up we were on the banking on the outside of the circuit which is when we were joined by Bradders and Everton along with his son. While waiting for my race other races were getting red flagged and then restarted due to accidents. With the weather changeable tyre choice was going to be a last minute decision. Eventually settled for a inter front and a Rennsport rear.
I was starting in 23rd position on the grid with most of the guys I know several rows in front of me. The sighting lap got better as the tyres warmed and I came around to take my position on the grid.
When the lights went off I tried for a lightning start that just didn’t happen as the clutch juddered a few times before biting I got passed by a few of the lads behind me, but now with the clutch engaged I got good drive and dived up the inside of a couple around the 1st right and then had a couple more around the left approaching the complex including Dr. Desmo himself (I was probably giving away 40bhp to him). Passed a couple more around by Church, things then settled down as I tried to close the gap on the RSV in front of me as we both slowly closed the gap on the bikes in front of him which included my old TL1000S (116BHP at the rear wheel). Then on the 4th lap after just the complex we came across a bike and bits in the track, at the marshal’s post the Red flags were out.
So that was it race over and I had finished in 20th place all of 3 places further up the grid for the 2nd SoT race, which didn’t happen.

Summary

1st race stopped after 3 laps after one lad crashed leaving his bike and bits off it in the middle of the track, started 23 finished 20th
2nd race cancelled due to time restraints at Thruxton, no race engines after 6:30pm
Big crashes in the 650-1300 Street stocks and Sidecars races that delayed things and as usual it’s the SoT guys that pay the price.
All this for a entry of £105, not what I would call value for money.

One very hacked off Kev