Derby Phoenix Cadwell Park 4-5 October.

Nice one, glad it went well - what are you lapping Cadwell at? Be interesting to hear how "close" to the professional BSB boys you can get, if just to give inspiration to us mere mortals!


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Good work TDB!! What times you doing then?

 

Congrats and well done TDB.

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The first race didn't go well. The bike had a misfire so I pulled out on lap 4. Couldn't find anything wrong with it, put it all back together and it ran fine after that.

Second race I messed up my start but managed to claw my way from 20th or thereabouts up to 12th so was quite happy.

Third race I got a flyer off the line and was in 6th for a few laps but a couple came past. The pace was quick though. I was pushing. Another rider came past but I managed to keep with him and pass him back a lap later.

That's how it ended. Best of all, the time sheet had my quickest lap at 1:37.65. That's the quickest I've ever gone round Cadwell. Untill then my pb was a 1:39.03 so quite an improvement. I still can't quite believe it.

Sideshow Pob from Black and White Bikes showed up with new SBS brake pads for me. Thanks Paul.

In the last race I couldn't replicate my earlier pace but had a great race long dice with my mate Steven Tweddle on his R6 and Darren Higson (R6) ending up 12th again. A great days racing for sure. I had a massive smile on my face.

With all that out the way the van was packed and I was on my way back to base.

Now it's all about getting prepped for next weekend. That'll be my last meeting of the season then the bike will be stripped, engine refreshed and a decision will be made whether I run two bikes next year or sell one.
Hmmmm decisions, decisions.

Once again thanks to the RAFMSA, Paul at Black & White Bikes and Stef & Claire at Tyres4Bikes. It doesn't happen without their support.

 

Wow - that is only 4seconds behind the professionals (John Simpson, according to Wikipedia)! You must be well chuffed with that. Great riding. R.e.s.p.e.c.t.

Took me at least another 25 seconds to do the same thing!![GRINNING FACE WITH SMILING EYES]

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cadwell_Park


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Rapid!

What do you do when you refresh an engine?

 

That'll depend on what it looks like when we get in there. It's a low mileage engine so shouldn't need too much.
I raced it as I bought it though so I don't know if it's got the kit sump gasket, prv or oil pump mods. That'll be getting done if it's not been already. Then it'll be bearings, shells and suchlike.

Wiki has mislead you somewhat FF. Not about John though, he's a very decent rider.

At Cadwell this year the slowest British Supersport rider to qualify was doing 1:33's. Billy McConnel was on pole with a 1:28.

There's plenty riders out there going quicker than me. The front runners (F600) at the weekend were in the 33's.

I'm just happy to be doing what I'm doing

 

Damn the internet, full of lies! Still, 4s off BSB qualifying is still damn good IMHO, especially if you're doing most of the funding, mechanics as well as riding it.


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Thing is, for me that lap was pretty much a one off. These guys do it every time.
If I can get into the mid to low 38's consistently then that's a substantial improvement for me. I'd like to think I can do that. It's frustrating in a way. After a couple of big offs and injuries, I'm just starting to find a little confidence, pace and aggression again and the season is nearly over.

 

I was in the same race as you.

Was on an orange R6 on Saturday, and a blue/white 675R on the Sunday.

 

You can't leave it at that mate, how did you get on.?? (Aka; did you get near TDB )

 

Well I had a bit of a bad time really. Only just got the 675R the other week, did 2 Cadwell days on it, then a test day on Friday. Got down to fairly consistent 1:43 laps which I was pleased with, especially since my rear tyre wasn't in the best condition.

Right before the first race on Saturday it decided to absolutely hammer it down. Didn't have a wet set up for the Triumph so thought I'd stick the wets on my R6 which I had with me to try and sell. Rushed to get it through scrutineering and getting the wheels changed. Just managed to get it sorted but no time for warmers or anything which I wasn't too fussed about in the wet, then went out for qualifying for the allcomers. Was going well, until I started pushing a bit and got thrown out of the seat going through the gooseneck. Took that as a bit of a warning and pulled in.

First race on Saturday I had to pull in after 1 lap because I was that steamed up I couldn't see a thing. Nearly ran off the track whilst going down park straight!

2nd race was a bit better. Started last on the grid, so could only improve really. Finished 11th overall and 2nd novice. Was 10th for quite a bit of it, but had someone right behind me all the time so I was pushing hard and trying to take defensive lines. Every lap I could see his shadow right behind me going into Mansfield! On lap 8 I was turning into Hall Bends and had a bit of a slide, ran wide for the left hander but managed to stay in front... until the hairpin where I nearly highsided and he got through. Came out onto the start finish straight and just took a look over my shoulder and couldn't see anyone, so just rolled off and nursed it home in one piece.

Sunday was an absolute nightmare. Jumping from the R6 back onto the Triumph completely messed with my head. 675 turns so much quicker... I was turning in to early for every corner. Also on the Triumph I run 1st-5th gearing rather than 2nd-6th on the R6... was changing gears in the wrong places and just lost my rythym. Then on lap 6 I started getting arm pump... and it kept getting worse until the race was finished where I was pretty much unable to let go of the handlebar! Think I still got 2nd novice but my lap times were awful... 1:47s or something like that. 2nd race on Sunday was much of the same, arm pump completely ruining my race.

I got 2nd in the F600 novice championship though so was pleased with that. With hindsight though I would have just stuck the wets on the 675 and gone out on that. Anyway I have next season to get used to the Triumph.

Couple of pics:

Starting in the rain



Massively steamed up in race 1!:


Only pic I can find from me on the Triumph:

 

Sounds like an eventful weekend for you George. I wouldn't like to be hopping between two completely different bikes during a meeting.
Where did you find the pics?

 

Yeah it wasn't great. Should have just gone out on the 675 in the wet really.

Pics are on Facebook either from Photobikes or Glyn's Photos.