I got Tim's cheque so we are up to 11 now. I have just got off the phone from one guy who has put a deposit in and his mate is going to sign up next wee.
Monty, Neil and I are going to debate the final thoughts on the rules tomrrow amd I will post up the definative list on Monday morning. There are no great surprises expected as a result of these discussions.
We now need to get much nearer to the 25 that we need so that we can have a strong position with the ACU when we sit down with them in a couple of weeks.
Still keeping my options open, its really a bit early to commit at the moment as like previous years this years racing has given the old finances a good bashing and as usual the off season is required to sort things out. Now if the GSXR600K2 or'and 748 sell then I'll send in my money and sort a bike. In the mean time next week I hope to see my mates that Sponsored the SoT and Minitwins at NG Road Racing this year and enlist their support in allowing Desmo Due spec bikes onto the Grid as a Minitwin. The current roumour around NG at the moment is that next years tracks will be Pembrey Darley Moor Donnington Thruxton Silverstone Brands Hatch Cadwell Park So should certainly provide a few more oppotunities to get out and race.
I'm seriously thinking about it too, looking at a nice M600 which will do the job but may well have to part with the S4r if I'm to come racing next year and buy a cheaper road bike or use the M600 as road and race bike, serious decisions to be made
Your right there Kev, Steve Bostock rang me yesterday and confirmed the circuits that you have listed, this will be the first time in NG's history that airfield circuits havent been used, that is a big leap forward for the club I recon. I think it would be great to tag the Desmo Due series onto the thunder and mini twin grid. I am like yourself already committed with Tom Luton, entered for the NW200 and Manx GP and gets the use of a couple of 996's, plus a full club series, which at this stage will probably be NG. If the rule book suits me, I could still be tempted to put a little "knocker" together for someone to ride as I would already be at the circuit ?
I'll let you know how I get on next week Richard, in the meantime NG provisional calender is now out and is as follows
DATE ---- VENUE ------ EVENT Feb 26 Sat Pembrey Test/training day Feb 27 Sat Pembrey Test/training day Mar 19 Sat Pembrey Round 1 Mar 20 Sun Pembrey Round 2 Apr 16 Sat Darley Moor Round 3 Apr 17 Sun Darley Moor Round 4 May 7 Sat Silverstone Round 5 May 21 Sat Cadwell Park Round 6 May 22 Sun Cadwell Park Round 7 Jun 11 Sat Brands Hatch Round 8 Jun 12 Sun Brands Hatch Round 9 Jul 16 Sat Pembrey Round 10 Jul 17 Sun Pembrey Round 11 Aug 7 Sun Donington Round 12 Sep 3 Sat Pembrey Round 13 Sep 4 Sun Pembrey Round 14 Oct 8 Sat Thruxton Round 15 Oct 8 Sat Thruxton Evening Party
Motorcycles to be based on Ducati 2 valve air cooled V-twin 600/620 built post 1992 and the maximum capacity allowed will be 675cc. All Motorcycles must conform with the construction and use regulations as set out by the ACU for motorcycle road racing.
Chassis · Frames must be standard Ducati, but material may be added but not removed. Chassis based on Ducati Monster may have rear chop · Standard Ducati swing-arms must be used but these can be taken from any Ducati model. Material may be added but not removed. · Suspension, the rear shock may be changed. Front fork internals are free, externals should be applicable to the model to which they are fitted-externally adjustable forks are NOT allowed. · Brakes,any standard production Ducati discs and caliper(s) and any bar lever and master cylinder assembly may be used. Note: If using twin disks brake lines must be seperate below bottom fork clamp-construction and use regs. · Wheels to be standard Ducati production 17" diameter 3.5" front and 4.5" rear. · Non track essential road equipment may be removed. Fairings may be added. · Tyres must have a moulded road legal tread. · Wets are allowed. (Safety issue) · Tyre warmers are allowed. · Suspension linkage is free. · Oil catching undertray is required. This must hold 4 litres minimum. · Minimum weight is 150kg Engine · Overbores within the class capacity limit are allowed. · Compression limit to be 12 Bar · Valves, camshafts and cylinder head porting must be original and not modified. · Clutch and clutch operating system is free · Connecting rods and crank assembly must be standard and unmodified · Inlet manifolds, carburettors and fueling can be modified or changed. · Exhaust pipes and mufflers can be modified or changed · The Alternator must charge and electric start must work at the end of the race. · Fuel standard freely available unleaded road gasolene must be used.
Thats it folks, there will be one class not 2 as I previously suggested since we will not be allowed to run 2 classes on the same grid. There are no big bore kits available for the 620 engines so an overbored 583 should be competitive.
Ok then we now know what the rules are going to be and we have 12 deposits. I need to see some more completed forms coming through the letter box this week, so that we can take this forward.
Please indicate to me (with a U2U) that you are sending a form in, so that I can track progress.