Ducati Sporting Club UK > DesmoDue Race Series > DesmoDue - General Questions and Chat > Brands report Griff64

[Griff 64]

Arrived down sarf on the Friday for my Easter weekend after the usual midnight oill,this time to fit an extra seat to the van [ sorry race team transporter] so that the whole tribe could attend.
Worked out ok in the end complete with 3 point harness!

Checked into the Thistle in the circuit entrance thanks to Anette Harris,s tip off for £56 a night.Great big family room felt like a right factory racer,in and out the pool,washing me feet in the spare bog in the bath room all the good things.
Staff were well nice and the entrance foyer had 4 GSXR,s lined up

Went up to London on Saturday by train and left the van and bike in Swanley station car park which was not to bright an idea really on reflection.Ooops

Wife has always fancied a look in the Victoria and Albert museum.Only fair seeing as Suday was going to be for me so off we go.Not at all what we expected.Big sprawling and to unsure of what its about for me.My lad said it was like an R.E lesson.He hates R.E.
Got back to Brands about 10 oclock with the van i tact after a great day out

Down to the paddock for scrutineering next morning and down comes the rain.Bugger!

Qualifying.
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General talk in the paddock from those far wiser than me was practice was for staying upright,wait for the race
Out we go and after my first lap fall on the test day at Cadwell in the rain i was apprehensive.Quickly realised there was alot of grip and preceeded to overtake everyone in front of me.All them fast guys in class A etc all fell to my trusted red steed.No one passed me and i was sure that was the guy who was 2nd at Cadwell in class A i passed.Flag out and feeling well pleased with my performance............until the times came out.Doh
Everything soon became clear.18th overall and 8th in class B,second row of the grid and 5 SECONDS from pole. Disaster
Ian Leah i found out hates the rain.Some people do 3 seady laps to qualify and then push.All the guys who set good times dragged one another round going faster and faster while i went round at the same speed for 6 laps with no one to push me on.Boy did i feel a muppet.Best of all Lucy[Grib] had out qualifyed me to be 7th on the grid on brand new tyres!I fell off on my new ones at Cadwell

Race1
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Family in posistion in the Paddock grandstand it was time for race 1.
My 3rd ever race start was Shiiiiiiite.The bike in front of me hesitated,i watched him and got swamped..Passed about 3 or 4 bikes and crossed the line in 7th at the end of the first lap with a lap time 2 second faster than qualifying from a standing startOh the shame of qualifying!
Moved through the field and into 2nd on lap 5 and settled down to chase Fil2 who was no where to be seen. held 2nd for 3 or so laps until i had a huge slide through Surtees on a white line form the front end.Bike saved itself but through came Andy Roberts.Duked it out back and forwards until the last lap when i outbraked Andy into Paddock saw a yellow flag and a bike in the gravel ran wide and let him back through.The kids were not amused.Lost out going up the hill and through came James Thompson into Druids.Crossed the line in 4th a bike length behind Andyin 3rd place as James did him on the line.

Lap times had been good considering the fighting in the 1.04.5 region and due to traffic we closed in a little on Fil2 who rode a very good race.

Rollikings from the wife and kids over losing 2nd place including a full technical analysis from my 9 year old daughter lightened the mood alittle.How things change.At Cadwell race 1 ,over the moon with 5th.After Cadwell race 2, 4th at Brands gets sulked over

Race2
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As soon as lined up on the grid i knew i was in trouble.Visor steamed up.Oh well here goes.Got a slightly better start but got boxed in badly at Paddock and lucky not to touch the back of someone.Sormed around the inside of people at Druids and ende the lap in 4th place and desperat to hang ont Fil who had .................disappeared again.Got into 2nd on lap 4 and set of in pursuit which got me know where but 3rd place as battle resumed with Andy Roberts.This time the pace suffered as we battled away and the gap to Fil2 became embarrasing.
HAd a huge slide in front of the kids into Paddock this time.Again the front slid along the pit exit line paint while trying to overtake Andy .Hit backmarkers towards the end and my saved up last lap overtake was doomed into Clearways due to said traffic and ran just short at the finishing line to take 3rd..
Then realised i couldn,t see anything out of my visor



Soggy family were happy.Loaded up the van collected the silverware for Cadwelll 2nd and Brans 3rd,finally caught up with Fil2 for the only time all day,said quick goodbyes and headed of for the 160 mile home arriving iat 9.30


On reflection a very enjoyable weekend and race day.Got to keep in perspective this was my 2nd race meeting,the bikestayed in one piece and i could still drive the family home.
Camadrie in the paddock was great.Couch ,Lucy[not to battered i hope and big up for getting back on],Glynn very entertaining,Skids,Andy Roberts,Physclist[Brave fella ] and everyone else ive forgot make it a unique experience and something i am delighted to be a part of.Nice to see so many road Dukes there as well on a less than lovely weather day..

See you at Castle Combe...[is there a Thistle hotel there]

[Edited on 27-4-2006 by Griff 64]