The year for me has brought joy, frustration, pure fear and relief all at once. From wobbling round in an Inters group on trackdays to joining a race series was a huge step.
The year started badly with first practice at Donington snowed off, then a break down at Cadwell and a crash at Brands Hatch. That first race was such an eye opener. All the friendliness and laughing in the paddock turns into a grid full of determined, fast people on smokey, Italian motorbikes and it's all a bit serious and scary! I had no idea what I thought I was doing that first time out, but the buzz of chasing people down and pushing myself to and then beyond my limits was like nothing else. After the adrenalin had worn off and my very swollen knee had started throbbing I had to wonder if I was cut out for it. I couldn't even stay on for one race.
Still, the entries went in for the next round and the next and eventually I grew to love that feeling as you all line up and the madness that is the first couple of corners. The nerves don't get any better, I still have to hold back from puking my guts up just before every race, but just try living without that adrenalin rush for a while once you've felt it. It's worse than any drug.
The frustrations come, especially at tracks you just can't seem to get on with, but the banter and camaraderie at the end of the day, no matter where in the field you've finished, just seem to make you want to come back for more. Suckers for punishment? Absolutely!
A year of prepping, riding and crashing my first little race bike has been such a valuable experience and one I'll never, ever forget. The people more than anything have made it for me, I could never have hoped to meet such a wonderful and often, quite odd bunch! To be accepted straight into the Desmo Due family, spoken to as an equal with people that are so, so much better riders and racers than me makes the series stand out as something quite unique. Nobody is belittled, everyone helped and supported, you couldn't wish for a better paddock to welcome you into the world of racing.
My riding has come on leaps and bounds too. This time last year I could turn in about 1m55s laps of Cadwell on my 100bhp ZX6R. Now, I've managed a 1m57s lap on a 60bhp Mong the Monster and I know there's much more to come as I learn the bike, the tyres and myself better.
Just a huge thanks to everyone who's been in the paddock this year and made it what it is. To anyone who's joining us next season, you're going to have a whirlwind year and you'll be kicking yourself for not joining in sooner
Roll on 2007....can we go race yet?
A couple of favourite pictures; my best result at Castle Combe and capturing the chaos of a start;
And the calm before the storm
Trying to look relaxed, feeling like your tummy's on a rollercoaster;
