A good wekend at Darley
 

Just got back from Darley, never seen the place before so I was a bit tentative at first, initial thoughts when riding around centred on the fact that you definately don't want to be chucking it down the road because there is very little run off anywhere.

Very fast straight flat out in sixth on the 996 along with some very tricky chicanes and scary esses that are quick with kerbs that jump out at you - and they are very high as well!

First race on the Saturday got a decent start and finished third behind Andy Peck who won here last year and one of the local hot shots.

Race two, a fair battle and finished fourth.

Sunday race one, got the holeshot off the line (I finally seem to be getting the hang of those starts!) and led through the chicane, got taken by Deano on the 998R into the right hander and then tagged along to hold second until the fourth lap, trying to keep a defensive line into the right after the chicane I tipped in and my knee caught the deceptively tall grass bank which wrenched my leg off the peg, stayed on but lost drive and instantly got overtaken by two bikes and then with my concentration momentarily broken by another before the esses. Got my head back down and finished fifth. A bit disappointing but good to know I was there or there abouts.

Race Two finished fifth again.

Overall very happy with the results and really enjoyed the weekend which went very smoothly from start to finish (a testimony to the officials of the NGRR club), the rain stayed away for the racing and I got my lap times down to 1.01 and know there is scope for considerable improvement at two parts of the track.

Next round is at Silverstone - another circuit that I have never seen before (other than on telly!).

Nice work, be sure to keep us updated with the rest of your racing this year.

Tim:ninja:

Good one Garry, See you do need me out there to slow Deano and Andy down. Didn't you do any grass tracking, I don't think I've ever been to a meeting at darley where I haven't been across the grass at least once at the chicane after the start.
I'll catch up with you at Silversone, Dallas is entered in the Powerbike and Open so i said I'll come along and give him a hand.

Fortunately no Grass Tracking although we did have the little incident with the grass bank as outlined above.

Early days yet I know but currently 3rd in Championship.

Next meeting is at Silverstone on 7th May (Saturday).

See you there Kev.

[Edited on 18-4-2005 by Garry Smith]

nice one Garry and very good results for first time there

I was never too keen on Darley myself, didn't like the layout and the edge of the track is just too close - as I found out a couple of times !

Will see about a rideout to come and watch next time you're there.

good luck for the rest of the season

Congrats, Garry. Nicely done!

Nine one Garry, great results for first time at the track.

Sounds like you're going to have a good championship.

Thanks for the comments.

hope the rest of your season continues like this. any times?

Bradders,

1.01 at Darley by the end of the weekend.