I bow out of Desmo Due
 

I've had three and a half of the most awesome years of my life!

Desmo Due has lived in mine, my wife's, daughers, family, team and sponsors lives 24hours a day 365 days a year since we started.

Before Desmo Due, I'd never really fallen off a bike. Last year at Donington as I slid down the grass doing 100mph at Craner Curves on my arse, I was relaxing and laughing....

Desmo Due changes your life, just ask anyone who's done it!

This year has been the most amazing time, having such an awesome bike, supperb sponsors and of course my family and team behind me to take the A Class title after taking Class B only two years ago.

As the season panned out we were wondering what to do after this year should I win the title. Would I defend it? Would I move on to bigger bikes? another series??

Anyway, we were happlily working on a fitness schedule and I'd got quite good at jogging, doing 4 miles every day before work which lost me about a stone in weight which is what i needed. But, as I upped the speed and distance I was getting short of breath and especially at swimming as my swim partner, Sherman, would disapear on the distance sprint races and I'd be passing out (exageration!). After a chat with Chris Turner, we decided I might suffer from asthma as his kids do, the symptoms were the same. So off I go to the GP.... well to cut a very long story short and after loads of tests, i was at hospital having a pipe slid up my arm artery and into my heart, the injection of die was the most amazing feeling...

As it turns out, I have a leaking Aorta Heart Valve. My heart is extra large to cope with the leaking valve and a low blood pressure which could cause problems leading to a heart attack. Solution: Mechanical Heart Valve Required (Titanium, Chris ;) ) but I would have to take the blood thinning Warfarin to aid the valve.

Hence I have to stop racing to reduce the risk of injury. Its not been an easy decision, but we feel we've acheived what we set out to do, well beyond our wildest dreams and the outset was always 4 years in DD.

My open heart operation is scheduled for monday 12th October and recovery around 6 weeks. Please dont worry yourself over it, we have it all under control and after hearing about so many heart failures I'm just so glad mine is being taken care of.

We will be continuing to support DD by running the 2010 Action Alarms Novice Cup and try to get to as many meetings as possible to cheer you all on. A new road bike is in order too....

Get building your DD bikes and tell us all about it here, its great learning of peoples builds. I'll be back on here far too much too ;)

We've made a whole new family of freinds in DD and via the sporting club, there are some lovely people out there who will go out of their way to help you, thank you all.

Andy #38 - #65 - #1

Obviously, I knew about this, and am glad you've decided to tell everyone.

To be honest, I'm pleased you've achieved the double championship, because as I said at Pembrey, you, your family and supporters have put in the graft for a number of years, and christ almighty you've been so consistent over the years.

A complete racer and great DD legend for the future.

You know I'll be here as friend and rival forever.

Whatever you need, it's a cinch.

Word.

Amazing Andy, you have carried that millstone exceptionally well. Sincerely hope all goes well and look forward to seeing you and perhaps divulge a few tips to us lowly runners. :)

Jeeezzz !!! WTF !!

All credit to you pal. Amazing.

Good luck with the operation and recovery, you've left DD at the top and a very, very well deserved champion.

Take it easy fella...

Tim

A big heart doesn't even come close mate. One of lifes truly nice guys, you are one hell of a racer but a much bigger man.
You'll succeed at whatever you do, partly because you never give up, largely through talent but mostly because you deserve it.
We've already discussed the next few weeks. You know where i am. I'll always be around :)
Good luck.

It was a shock when your dad told me on Sunday, having known that for most of the season and still carried on the way you did say's a lot about you Andy, Tracey and all your family and friends are no doubt incredibly proud of you.

Mmmm, Titanium valve, must be a Ducati Performance special;)

All the best for the op and see you in the paddock next year and sooner up at Nelly's.



Chris:burn:

Andy that is bad news but as has been said you have been wonderful for the series and a true champion.

Have you searched for a carbon valve though? Lighter and will look far cooler......

Wow, to have raced with that in the back of your mind must have been hard which makes your Championship Win even more special. What a way to finish Andy. Good luck with the opp and I look forward to seeing you again at the Dinner Dance.

Blue Army ;)


Craig

Been great to see you over the years mate, DD gave me some great mates and you are one of them. Here for you and Trace now mate :)

A few pics
 

Andy's weekend trophies, good luck with the op I am sure we will be kept updated

'Who's the fast guy on the SS without the lights then?' That was my first impression of the new guy Andy in 06? I think.

You have always been consistent Andy, in person and in race or track mode, always having a good time. I'm glad I kept about half a season in front of you over the years, to save you kicking my ass. You, Trace and your Dad have always been great supporters of DD and brought the best 'fan base' to every round. I remember chatting to your Dad about his sidecar days and him telling me how 'wild' my regular last corner Oulton pk lines were that day!

Thanks for adding everything you have to the DSC and DD, (DJ-ing at trackdays wtf?) and just goes to show, you get what you give!!

I could blame you for my Snetterton 'incident', (I was too busy looking behind to look in front of me maybe?) But I won't!

Look after you insides buddy, your heart is just asking you to stop the swimming maybe? Glad you caught it early too.

You all have bikes and beds in Aus anytime.

Cheers

My Dad used to say 'look at how hard he's trying, he's on the grass at the exit of the corners.......'

100% doesnt come into it, you gave 110% everytime.

Might take you up on the Oz thing one day, never been but got loads of family out there.

Andy

Best wishes Andy.

All best with this mate see you about

Well what can we say matey that hasn't all ready been said , its been fantastic to watch you and the rest of the guys and girls racing in the series over the last three and a bit years. We have has some great weekends away camping and some brilliant laughs. To us Andy (Valentino) is a true gent always has a smile on his face and has time for everyone. If my memory serves me right our first meet was mallory and from there we got the bug,seeing Andy tank around was something we didn't expect of him. We will not be disappearing we are going to have a few weekends away watching the series (Sorry Tim you not getting rid of us that quick:p we will be around to cook some more burgers if required:) Andy titanium valve is being polished up and tray will put ready with the op equipment;) can't say much more Andy said it all in me text sunday ,good luck with the op and see you soon .

Chris and the Valentino 65 /1 Fan Club

All the best Andy - if you can ward off the likes of Will and Otei the op will be a doddle!

Best wishes for whatever you do next - I'm glad I finally got to stand on a podium with you!

Paul

I've only been around half a season and the closest I've got to you is when you're lapping me, in fact one of my best moments so far is racing for the full 8 laps in this Sunday's first DD race. Seeing the result sheet reading 2.00.18 behind instead of 1 lap was a big acheivement for me.

Take on the op like you do your racing and you'll sail through it no problem fella.

Much respect to you and see you around next year.

Best of luck with the op Andy. And Contratulations again for all your achievements during those 4 seasons. There are not many Champions out there, but you're one of them. Twice. :lol:

good luck with the op Andy :) lucky that you were able to get it diagnosed and are getting the appropriate treatment.

my neighbour had a similar problem and similar op a couple of years ago, being a marathon runner and a similar age to you, he couldnt understand why he was suddenly out of breath where he was normally still going strong so also did the sensible thing. he has made a great recovery, the health of his heart otherwise and his general good health and fitness levels sped up the recovery no end.

not a bad record to bow out with now really is it :D

all the best and congratulations again on your championship win this year :)

Congratulations on the championship Andy - double champ does DD have any other double champs???

You've always had a positive word which is a great thing. I'm sure you will deal with this new challenge in the same way.

Good luck

Franco

Its all been said Andy but the respect your fellow (and Lady) racers hold you in says it best I think.

How on earth you could race at such a level knowing your condition is beyond me but proves your total commitment.

Best wishes for your future which I'm sure will be as successful

Regards - Frank

wow,fair shout to you

good luck with the operation and enjoy that new road bike

best wishes
 

thanks for all the encouragement and heres to a speedy recovery:)

Andy. You are and will remain a legend as has been said a faster fella and nicer bloke one couldnt wish to meet!

Good Luck.:roll:

As lots of people have said, one of the worlds genuinely decent blokes.

Congrats on the championship win and good luck with the op

real straightforward operation, usually pretty quick recovery, you gotta get used to hearing the valve click, need to keep on the blood thinners, but it seems other lifestyle changes are not called for. Wife's mom had this operation last year and we were all scared, but it was much better than we expected and she has a really normal life (no bikes however).....best of luck on the 12th, but pinch as many butts as you can in the operating room...they won't kick you out!!

Sorry to hear about your valve problem. Best wishes for the op! My dads been warfarin for many years after he had heart troubles. Trouble is he's a clumsy b*****r and always cutting himself on his hands. If you are the same I hope you don't mind the sight of blood as it takes ages to stop bleeding after even a small cut!!

Keith

Huge congrats on the double championships mate and best of luck for the op on Monday, now we're back from honeymoon we'll no doubt be over there bugging you during convalescence :)

Andy,

All the best during your recovery, and as said before an amazing year for you all things considered.

If you feel up to it in the future you could always have a go at Classic Racing, just a bunch of old blokes, on old bangers honest, ask your dad!!!!

Take it easy and look forward to seeing you in the paddock next year.

Steve

Hi Andy,

Hope everything goes well for you on the 12th and thereafter. It'll be a cinch after what you've gone through with balancing DD focus and family life.....

All the best mate.

Guy

Very well put Jools

Best of luck with the Op,
I'm 100% confident anything they may use on or put inside you that has been through our plant will have been fully steralised

Gamma irradiation kills all germs dead far more effective than Domestos

He won't be eligable to race our series anyway, as he has been altered. :D

glad to see you getting yourself sorted Andy.

as for winning the championship.. well it's great and a bloody good job you are good at riding a bike as yur 4 wheel skills are sometimes lacking ;) :devil:

You have been brilliant company, a top fella and a fantastic sportsman and you have deserved every result and are a worthy champion.

I am sure we will see you about soon. Hope the op goes well xx

Thank you everyone, your an inspiration!

Andy

Think you have that the wrong way round Mister S. :)

Andy

You'll be right! You've shown us the way all season, so I reckon sorting a dicky ticker wont faze you. Get it sorted and come back and give us another kicking in a couple of years time.

ATB

Andy P
#33

hope the op went well yesterday, im sure you'll be well looked after over the coming weeks so recovery should be smooth.

dont forget to milk it a little!

:)

Tracey text me last night following Andy's op. All went went well and he was comfortable on the high dependancy unit. I think that later today he will go to ICU once he has been brought around to full conciousness. A few days on there will see him clear to go onto the regular ward where the return to "normal" will continue.
Thoughts are with you Andy. Cya soon for that curry :)

Cheer for the update Neil
Good to hear all went well
Heres hoping Andy makes a full and Speedy recovery

best wishes again from all
 

no need to reiterate that all the paddock are glad to hear that andy's op went well and we wish him a speedy recuperation and we hope to hear from as soon as he is up to it:) :) :) :)