Shiny at Brands
 

We love sheep in Wales, so being one I thought I'd follow the flock and write a few lines too.

I arrived late Thursday night with the intention of a full test day on Friday as I've not ridden since sept ( due to my operation) and needed time to test the bike out that I'd put together in the garage this winter - and check that I was serviceable too.

First sit on the bike felt odd and the controls were all over the place and the seat felt really low and the tank huge! A few minutes into the test and the bike felt massively underpowered compared to my supersport bike, the sudden realisation that this really was all about corner speed and maintaining speed hit me hard, like George North does to his opposite number when flying down the wing. Anyway knuckled down to finding my way round and with only a few minor problems I started to feel more comfy. But what to rev too? And would the gear change lever stay on for more than two laps!??

Saturday couldn't come soon enough and qualifying was my typical bulid up, slowly getting quicker each lap as I tried different makers. Qualifying was sensible but I was amazed with the speed at the sharp end. Amazing with such little power, you guys are seriously good. 26th on the grid not great, but the aim was a solid run out, so job done thus far.

The race was soon underway with my brilliant start I managed to go from 26th to dead last by the first corner. This wasn't the plan! Anyway two laps in and I'd made 5 places up. I continued to make places up, especially into paddock but after passing about fifteen bikes the race was unfourtunaley stopped. not too bad in the shortened race.

Sunday morning was just glorious as I followed skids round in warm up. I felt really comfy and with a tweak on the suspension the bike was turning just great. Maybe I could do a little better. Top half of the field was the aim. My start was better but with constant missed gears I didn't go forward as quick as I'd hoped for. However, I had the greatest fun I've ever had on a race track with Miles, aka 31. For about five laps we traded places, it was truly great fun. With a few more missed gears I was stuck behind slow traffic and just couldn't get passed finishing the someplace as I originally started from. However I had improved my lap tims by over 2 seconds due to the battle. Top racing Miles.

With a heavy heart I had to post a dns to the final race due to the long journey home to North Wales and work committments very early on Monday morning. Tough but sensible decision. :(

Overall, a top weekend met some lovely people, enjoyed following Skids round and racing against / with Miles. Thanks to everyone that helped me, especially Julie, Simon W, Skids, Mossy and my sponsor the Royal Air Force Association. Roll on Snett.

With Great Power comes great responsibility
With DD Power Comes Higher Corner Speeds
Good to see you out there enjoying yourself and the bikes looks a peach, plenty of pics about to testify to that

what i came for
 

Great fun for me too- just what i came to dd for- close battles with similar machines and riders- didn't realise you from right side of border too- look forward to more like that- see you at snetterton...

Hopefully at Snett. Yes I'm from Yorkshire, but live in North Wales on Angelsey. There are some top photos of our battle on the BSP web site. That's why I also came to DD, it's not all about the battles at the front is it?!!!

Battles are going on from front to back. We have al been there so just enjoy it.

now entering my 3rd season and from being lapped to do a little bit at the front myself, 'battles' have been ever present. For me, its why I race; not to go fast, not to do laptimes, not for cups (altho thats nice :D ) its for close racing and 'beating' those around me or bashing the tank in frustration coz I got pipped

Thats why I went up to A class

And long may it continue :D

Race 1 I thought I was repeating last years tail end finishes, but had actually split the field and ran a lonely race. :( Hope to up my game next round, still having concentration issues, damn that gravel:mad:

Pleasure to meet some of the new guys, steve and miles, will try to be more sociable at snetterton

pete


"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power". Abraham Lincoln ...53 horse power should do it