Ducati Sporting Club UK > DesmoDue Race Series > DesmoDue - General Questions and Chat > Race Virgins Cadwell report.

[phoenix n max]

Well that was interesting !
Brief report from my first ever race ( full report here Race Report Rd 1 )

First practice - was wet so I concentrated on staying upright.
Timed practice was drier but again I wanted to stay on so didn't push myself.

Race one - first time on the start grid so didn't really know what to expect - went round on the warm up and pulled into my slot 29.

The lights came on and went out and off we go, someone was still in their slot in front of me so I went past him and then I saw to my left a couple of bikes on the floor but carried on into what looked like it would be utter carnage ( first hairpin) but it wasn't and most got round without mishap I think.

The rest of the race seemed a blur to me to be truthful and I just concentrated on avoiding debris and keeping out of trouble. I came around the hairpin after a couple of laps to find flags being furiously waved and found a tapestry of bikes - arms- legs- orange men on the grass at Barn.

Max and me finished the race in 24th slot out of 30 - I got back in to everyone asking if I enjoyed that ? My answer - Erm I don't know !

Second Race and again 29th on the grid and this time we all got away, the first corner seemed ok too so I set about reeling the one in front of me in. Mikes 620 was quicker than my 583 down the straight but we did our best and after about 4 laps ( i think) I gained a place so I felt quite chuffed with myself.

I finished 23rd out of 30 in that race.

Overall I did what I wanted to do for my first ever race - I finished both races in one piece and I aimed to do one better than the race before which I did and the bonus is I picked up points too I believe.

So now I just need to improve my speed really. My best time for the day was 58.

Huge thanks to all the supporters and helpers. We had a good laugh throughout the weekend. Thanks to all for the advice and help, to JP for the music and Geoff Spencer for lapping me twice so I could follow his lines through Barn and Andy for protecting my ass once or twice too.
See you at Castle Combe

[Edited on 3-5-2005 by phoenix n max]

[Edited on 3-5-2005 by phoenix n max]