| Andy Sheppard's first race report - Oulton Park
As said before, its a long one!
Things started off badly as the timetable went out the window, no call for our practice/qualifying (pa wasn’t much good at all!) and we headed over to see a line of DD’rs ready to go into the holding area. I quickly joined the queue and waited. We were let out on the track for the practice/qualifying and everyone went off flatout!! So I went reasonably quickly and found the tyres to be cold and slippery. The second lap came and I went for it, only to catch a group up and have to ease off, so as I was on the straight I held back and made a gap, Domski went by like a true pro, head down, then went for it again, only to get near the end of my flying lap with a red flag! No decent lap!!! ****** 17th on the grid.
As Race 1 came round I was very much aware of what was going on and was one of the first there. I lined up on my grid and we were off for the warm-up lap. This was the first race start in my life (except for the test runs on the A38 traffic lights...) and I didn’t get away all that well, so I proceeded along the outside of the group and blimey all those bikes closely together!! I got pushed onto the grass on the exit of Old Hall Corner and it was ‘No more Mr nice guy’ and went for it passing and battling (Lucy your bike was so quick, you just pulled away from me out of Britten’s). The 620’s were a problem passing as they just came back passed on the straights!! Anyway, I was aiming for 583’s to pass and got passed Andrew Roberts, only for him to show a wheel at the next corner... So went for it and could see Paul Payne ahead settling but couldn’t get to him as I was blocking Andrew. 1st race, 4th in Class happy but had to work so hard for it. Must get a better start next time!
Race 2 came round quite quickly and I was determined to get away better. The lights turned off really fast, again, and we were away, this time diving down the middle. First turn, I drifted wide and held the inside line for Clearways, which helped me gain quite a few places. It was then a battle with the 620’s and finally getting by and finishing a better 3rd in Class B, yes!! I got a trophy!!! Well chuffed considering my first race meeting and getting up there!
Thanks to everyone who’s helped and given me advice, you DD’rs are a really good bunch and make the meeting so much better. Sorry to all those I dived down the inside into corners.... the 583’s are hard work... thanks to Skids for selling me this bike and hope your bruises heal quickly.
Andy  | 
10-Jul-2006, 13:48 
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