well, I am finally home so writing a quick report of my weekend
First and foremost I want to thank everyone for all their support, well wishes, gifts and encouragement over the past few days. The biggest thanks by far go to Bongo and Ryan for literally picking us up and sorting us out at the weekend and through to today. You guys were just the best and words cannot say how grateful we/I am for your help. Huge thanks to Andy (QFM) for looking after Jon this week, much appreciated mister!
so anyway, won't bore you with the details, but we arived Friday afternoon, got set up and waited for Bongo and Ryan before dinner, Jack Daniels and talking **** perfect evening!!
Saturday and it's cold and grey but the rain is holding out for now so out we go for practice. Holy ****, the wind was so strong that I could barely hang on in places. I was scrubbing tyres initially and then stuck in a bit of traffice before getting a few clear laps but by this time it was so strong I wasn't even using 6th on the straight as the wind was pushing me back. Rocket was terrifying and the gust were just flicking me all over the place. Qualified 8th on grid but not impressed with myself and **** grid position right next to the wall.
Then it rained.. and hailed and snowed and the wind blew!! Couldn't believe it was May and we were supposed to be racing!! It looked like we would be sat in the van until the rain stopped and the track started to dry off. First race and Bongo is telling me it's gonna be dry out there!! I am not convinced but can't avoid going out so set off for the grid only to see a huge puddle in front of me right at the point I would be hitting the first corner.
Lights go out and for once I actually moved forward off the start...woohoooo!! i dived into the first corner and kept on the gas powering through the melee and trying to make up some places. I get my head down and realise I am doing ok, next thing I am passing and up into 3rd place... yeeehaaa!! I know there is at least 1 Class B rider in front so I am getting very excited and next thing I mess my gears up and when i get on the gas it's on a huge wet patch and the bike steps out at the back and i am feet in the air. I remember saying some swear words in my lid along the lines of "perfectly dry my fecking arse-BONGO!" I lose all drive and Jon and another bike come past and I am angry. I start to pull them back in and I am right up to them when Jon runs off wide. I keep going in case he comes back in and set about making some distance willing the laps away. Finally I finish and come in to see Ryan waiting for me telling me I was 2nd in Class A wooohooo, a pot finally!!
Mucho joy and excitement before getting ready to go out for 2nd race and hoping for a repeat performance. I get an ok start but get shut down at the left hander and have to run it down the inside to the first right hander. I tip in and have to pull it tight only to feel the back end start to go...bugger... down it goes so I am head up cursing my stupidity when BANG! I don't know what has happened but i am face down screaming as I cant move my legs and I have no idea what is going on.
Finally taken to med centre and discover the as I have gone down Jon has had nowhere to go and has unfortunately run over me. He has a broken collarbone and I have broken femur and possible pelvis. I get the lucky straw and go via air helicopter to Bangor where I am prodded, poked and scanned for hours and then sent off to a ward for the night after Jon, Bongo and Ryan come to say goodnight to me.
Next day and I have 3.5 hour op to pin femur and then get great (NOT) NHS treatment on the ward
Bongo and Ryan pack the van up and look after Jon (you don't want to know the details - trust me!!!)
Couple of days in hospital where I am pushing myself to do as much as I can so I am allowed home. Ryan has been to see me and then came to collect me today - what a star!! Jon is now having collarbone op next week so we are all sat at home like a couple of muppets!!
So, all in all a bit of an odd one tbh, my first pot and quite a nasty mishap resulting in both of us being incapacitated. I am gutted I fell off and gutted Jon had nowhere to go but over me, but that's racing for you
We have realised we have some of the best friends you could ever ask for and we really really appreciate everything that has been done for us. Gonna be out for a while now until things get a bit more sorted but I am sure we will be back in some shape or form and some point in the future.
Thanks everyone
a couple of pictures courtesy of Craig Fisher showing how quickly it can go pear shaped!!