So long, and thanks for all the fish
 

Well, the 620 has moved and and so am I. There's a 748R with my name on it so it's off to Thunderbikes next year.

DD is a special series; the regulations ensure close and even competition, the atmosphere and cameraderie in the padock is unique, and the c r a p that goes on behind the scenes is trully.... c r a p!

The last two years have given me a host of racing memories and some special racing moments that will always be with me. I've made new friends and really will try to keep in touch.

Thanks to Neil at Sigma; not just for building one quick motorcycle but also for your time and coaching; to CK/AK for your flattering offer (nearly changed my mind there); to Chas for his hospitality; to Dom, Kyle, Ali and others for some really close (but fair) racing; and to many many more for the curries, the beer and the crack.

I think I've learned more in the last two years than in the previoius six so it's time to head out into the jungle and see if it's true.

Good Luck with your new adventure :) Was always a pleasure being lapped by you :D

Genuinely a sad day Ian. :(

It's been a pleasure watching you on track and learning that smooth = fast, and that podium finishes don't need to acheived through dangerous moves and bullying tactics. I'm sure thunderbikes will be a technical joy and push you hard into using DD cornerspeed techiques with a few extra bhp. :) Can't say I'm not seriously, seriously tempted but don't think I can stump up the budget between now and spring.

Have fun and don't forget to say hi to us lowly DDers in the paddock. :lol:

Keep it upright.

Ali

Ian

Gutted your not with us for next year.:(
Gunna miss watching how the hell you ride so friggin fast at your age:rolleyes: And the good old chats in the paddock..

A True example of a genuine dd racer and top geezer..

So the 748r is now yours then.........lucky git!!!!!!

I've got good expectations for you in the thunderbikes fella and i'm sure your go very well and be one of the top guy's without doubt;)

Keep in touch mate and let us all no how your going. i'm bound to pop down to the brands rounds anyway to poke me nose.....


Take care buddy

kyle

Well I for one am truly disappointed. I think you brought something truly unique to our championhip and you will be sorely missed.

You gave us all something to aspire to with your smooth riding style and personable approach to the whole thing. The DD paddock is a lesser place for your not being there. You gave us younger blokes something to aim at whilst appreciating what you've achieved in being the target for us to aim at in the first place.

I've enjoyed a curry or seven in your company, not that I've seen you actualy eat one, more like inhaled them, and enjoeyd your company. To me you'll always be one of the good guys who was more than happy to share thoughts and everything else and the DD paddock will be a poorer place for your not being there.

I'm very happy we share mutual friends and I'm sure we'll see each other out and about in the future.

Good luck in Thunderbikes, I've quite an ambition to be there myself.

Good luck Ian, and I wish you all the best for the future. One very drunk TP.

:)

Ian, luv you and going to miss you - mind you, as you are not too far away;) no doubt we must have another curry night soon methinks:D

think of the peanuts mate:ninja:

Isn't an R gonna exceed the power:weight ratio? I've seen two R's on a dyno...one was delivering 108bhp at the rear wheel and the other was giving 113 when well set up with an Ultimap chip and the throttle bodies properly matched. Given someone on Motoforum said their Bip weighed 187kg (an R is lighter) that makes the R exceed the power:weight ratio without taking the road kit off. You'll be sticking lead weights on it!

Mind you...I'm looking to buy one now ;)

Great news!!! ;)
Good luck mate, enjoyed some great battles with you this year.

Shame that we won't battle again, but good luck with all things Thunderbike.

Can I kinda take over your name now "the new old man" !!! ;)

Enjoy
Tim

good luck mate in thunderbikes hope to see you around

All the best Ian and i am sure will will kick ass in Thunderbikes .

My memory of you will be at Cadwell last race with you carving your way through the pack from the back to basically the front , totally awseome to see and i can only ever dream to have your talent, you will be missed, but at least i will get too sit in me own chair..ha-ha.........., whos gonna eat all the nuts now..........

Regards Bones

Its a real shame to know you are leaving DD ian..................you are a very fast smooth rider and i was looking forward to learning from you in 2007.....

You are and i know this will sound like a cliche but you are an inspiration to those that think they are too old to race........

good luck in thunderbikes and again its a shame you decided not to race DD in 2007..........................................

who ever has your bike has a reputation to uphold now..LOL

Phil

look forward to the opportunity to see you for a Curry at a racemeeting or two
Good luck
DP:)

Hey Ian,

Was a pleasure to have raced with you, albeit briefly this year.

I'm just glad that I picked you out to be on the recieving end of my age related insults in my Cadwell report...I'd have been deeply upset if you'd escaped the series unscathed. You're far too nice to let you get away with that!

Good luck in Thunderbikes mate, and you know where to come if your fixadent and sanatogen dealer goes down.

Cheers,

Tim ;)

:cool:


Ian, you're a fast fecker and no mistake. It will be a shame not to have you in DD next season, but hopefully we can stay in touch, and who knows, we could even get to do battle on some proper quick motos in the future :o

It's been a pleasure dude, I'm just gutted I waited until this year to get to know you. All the best in whatever you do - and stay in touch you old fart!!

;)

Good to see someone move onwards and upwards, good luck in the Thunderbikes.

DD fulfilling it's orginal aim of luring people onto the racing ladder?

Often wondered what was seen as the next step from DD in the UK, maybe the club ought to think about that some time in the future, a series for stock 748 with a Gucci 749 class?? The former are now available at very reasonable prices...........................or maybe not:D


Ray.

Ray, Ian had done quite a bit of racing before coming to DD and is now moving on for his own reasons.

Thunderbikes looks pretty tasty with racing 748's

Thanks TP, I had an inkling he wasn't a Novice as it were.

Maybe I need to get over to assen if I wanna see a grid full of Non DD ducatis then, WSB ain't the Ducati cup anymore:D

Not dissing DD, just day dreaming of a world where only Ducatis are allowed to race!!:)

Ray.

he certainly has, Ian, Geoff Spencer and myself were all in the same race at Castle Combe in 2000, Ian on his tuned ZX9R, Geoff I think was on a TL1000R and I was on my Fireblade.

I think Ian is riding better than ever and hope he has a enjoyable time in Thunderbikes especially as he is riding a Ducati.
I for one will be keeping an eye on the results in the hope that he is kicking some 4rse