Quite a week Apologies to Tim for copying his style, but I'm between nappy changes too! Tuesday pm - contractions, labour, gas+air and "breathe" Wednesday - I'm a dad - Hooray Thursday - I'm a dad - Oh, my God Friday - I'm a dad - I want sleep Saturday - wave goodbye to Kirsty and Danny and escape to Donington Days Inn for some sleep. Sunday am - I've slept, good, but it's raining, ar8e. Qualifying - out lap - stopped raining but it's greasier than a greasy thing covered in grease out here. Lap 1 - big slide coming out of old Hairpin - I'm a GP star Lap 2 - remember last year, take it easy on the brakes into Goddards, oh f8ck crunch, tarmac, grass, sky, grass - been here before. Rest of qualifying - watch everyone else taking it easy (except Murray) Qualify 38th and last with a 3min 48 lap?? Wtf?? Still no time to argue, must fix bike Sunday pm - replace exhaust, footpeg, clipon, master cylinder, tape up fairing and screen and get re-scrutineered Race - I get a text telling me the red lights are out and I'm away. Pass a few here, a few there and apparently I made 12 places on lap 1! Pass a few more but its getting harder - 620's taking the p8ss on the straights and then parking in the corners - note to self: be more "assertive" next time. Overtake round the outside at Redgate - interesting, not in the textbook, but it worked at least twice and impressed my sponsors! Last lap flag out - so soon? I'm enjoying myself - can we have longer races next time? Back in the paddock Chris Wood has finally got his first win and I'm 19th overall and 6th in class- not bad, but can only wonder what might have been.... Congratulations to Chris and Glenn for their wins, and Wilf for his 8th in SoT on an 853. Many, many thanks to everyone for your kind words and thoughts and they were all relayed back to Kirsty and Danny. Look forward to seeing everyone at Snet. Team Payne Racing. Paul 15th year in DD #68 and getting slower by the year 1199, SS800 & 620SSie DD racer |