[Garry Smith]

After doing a track day at Brands on Monday to learn which way the corners went I was really looking forward to the weekend. Arrived on Friday evening and got set up.

Up at the crack of dawn to get scrutineered and then out for the usual ten minute practice, I never really enjoy practice as it is always really hectic with large clumps of riders of very mixed pace.

First nightmare on Saturday morning was learning that as my entry had been received one day late instead of being third on the grid I was fourteenth for the qualifiers (definitely won't make that mistake again!).

Saturday Race One: From 14th got an average start and fought my way through to finish 5th. I was fairly happy with this as I felt I was on the pace and would run quicker if I could get a clean start from my 5th place on the grid for the points race. Race Two: Got a good start and got away with the leading pack then as I accelerated coming out of Paddock and up the hill the clutch started slipping, my initial thoughts were that I would try to take it steady and at least bring it home with a few points in the bag. Unfortunately the clutch had other ideas and a quarter turn of throttle gave me 11,000 revs and no forward motion so I retired without even completing a lap - gutted does not begin to describe it!

As soon as I came in I started stripping the clutch out and fitted a new one ready for Sundays races.

Sunday Race One: Again off fourteenth finished fifth. After Saturdays disappointment in the points race I was absolutely determined to get a decent result in Race Two. Race Two: Got a reasonable start and came out of Paddock in Sixth place, I was determined not to let the leading two riders get out of sight and two corners later I was in third and after nine laps that was how it finished. Very happy overall although obviously gutted at losing a whole race worth of points but we had a great weekend and my mates who race in the 650 Superstock also had really good results and for one of them it was his first meeting.

Also Happy with my pace as I was running 51.0 by Sunday.

It was also good to meet Nick who was marshalling there on Sunday - hope your next DD meeting goes well mate.

Next outing for us is Pembrey next month - Bring it on!