Hi,
Some of you might know me as the person with the strange user name always asking questions on the site (sometimes very obvious ones) others of you may have met me at the two races so far.
I thought I would write a quick note about joining this series, Brands Hatch (not a full race report but just my impressions) and to say thanks to a few of the people that have helped me in whatever way.
I decided to enter the DD because it pressed all the right buttons for me as soon as I heard of it:
1) Racing a Ducati - who cares if it's not a 999
2) Wanted a real riding challenge
3) Cheap (ish)
4) Friendly paddock
5) I am slightly mad - not as mad as some of you I'm sure
All I can say is that so far all those buttons are being pressed (except for number 3 maybe
)
I thought that racing meant that you got a bike got it sorted out for racing, turned up at race tracks and raced. How wrong was I. I soon realised how many factors had to be figured in - suspension settings, ride height, fork oil weight, fairing brackets (getting them to fit), footpeg position, gearing...the list is fairly long but are you getting the picture? ...I thought I was still turning up at track days with a bike that I rode as it came from the shop....don't laugh too much!
So anyway it's been a learning curve...and it seems you are never too old to learn
Anyway onto Brands Hatch I have to say it was a really good weekend for me in that I was running a new seat unit and clip ons, becasusI was really not getting on with the riding position of the Monster, and felt really comfortable with the new set up. I also didn't crash in qualifying, as I did at Cadwell and I completed two races in weather that was less than inspirational.
About the racing bit I got some very bad starts (this is not a track day you know) and then took far too long to pass people (this is not a track day you know) but overrall MUCH happier with the bike so hopefully this bodes well for my next race at CC.
THANKYOU
I would like to mention:
Antoinne - for the loan of your number board and advice - Very kind
Paul - The loan of a footpeg, and the advice you gave me and reminding me that I needed to buy a fog city insert. (Sorry about your crash and hope you get everything together for the next race)
AK and CK - Advice and general bon homie (is that how you spell it?)
Paul Martin - For our little secret and being a good laugh
Murray - for introducing yourself and great advice
Nick B - for giving Paul's footpeg to a complete stranger
Max Gidney - for the loan of his tyre pressure guage when i couldn't find mine
Andrew Griffiths - advice at the Focused Events track day and U2U
and everybody else who has responded to my pleas on this site or helped me or just simply said "hello" at the track.
And that is button number 4 pressed I would say.
NB: I thought the Early Learning session sounded great but unfortunately I couldn't make Saturday.
Did anybody video it or take minutes
Anyway I said I would keep this short and that's my lunch break over too
Good luck to all the lucky people going to Assen hope you have a great time
Franco
[Edited on 26-4-2006 by Fastfasulli]