Well preparations are well under way for next year. I'm having an engine rebuilt and considering a refresh for the other bike regardless if I'm keeping it or not. One way or another I'll be Daytona 675 (and maybe pi R1) mounted next year. What clubs/series yet to be decided. This year was a case of me finding my feet again after a couple of years recovering from two injuries sustained in 2012. 4 days in Cartagena in Feb went really well and by day three I was going pretty well. Then at a pre season trackday at Cadwell the bike gave up. That was another engine. Another bike was sought and I ended up with a kinda ex Glen Richards Map Embassy 675. Which after a bit of work and a lot of help from my sponsors ended up looking like this. Two meetings at Cadwell (Hottrax and Derby Phoenix) went ok. I finished races which was a start and was managing semi decent lap times. The highlight was a 3rd place in one of the Allcomers races. There was then a bit of a break as work and finances limited my activitiy. I did manage a few trackdays at Knockhill and Cadwell before returning to Knockhill for the Hottrax MotoGrande round. As usual the weather was unpredictable but a good meeting was had and I managed another 3rd place on the Sunday. Then to Croft for the Derby Phoenix round. I'd entered two classes both F600 & Allcomers. I like Croft and always go well there but I struggled to get near my pace from previous visits. Wasn't far off though and although I did lead a race for 8 of the 10 laps ending up 5th I'd managed another 3rd place earlier that day. Then Back to Cadwell, my favourite circuit. The forecast was bad for the Saturday and good for the Sunday. That's exactly what happened. Saturday was ok but the Sunday was great. Although my results were nothing much to shout about, my pace was. I had found a little something extra that only racing gives me. Something I can't replicate on trackdays. I was under 1:40's and a pb of 1:37.65, my best ever lap of Cadwell. It's only taken 14 years to get to that pace. Now I need to get my arse in gear and do it regularly. With that little boost. I headed off to East fortune. I was looking forward to it, it's always nice to go home. The meeting went ok but I struggled again to get near what I'd consider decent times. I ran just outside the top ten all weekend around 2 seconds of what I was expecting. Disapointing in that respect but I enjoyed it looking back. So that is that. Been an enjoyable year and hopefully I can continue next year from where I've left off this year. This year I recorded the following results. Derby Phoenix F600 Championship: 18th. Derby Phoenix 175-675 Allcomers: 3rd equal. Derby Phoenix F600 veterans (over 40) Championship: 2nd. Hottrax MG600: 11th. Now none of this would have happened without the support and help from these people. The RAFMSA. They have ensured I've had time off to travel, subsidised my transport and provided new leathers and boots for next year. Tyres4Bikes. Stef and Claire despite Stef having a stroke this year have made sure I had what I needed, when I needed it. Paul Fryer @ B&W Bikes, Spilsby. I've had his generator all year. Great deals on oil too. Mike Skinner @ Skinner Motorcycles, Dundee. Now I'm located south of the Border, Mike's been in the background but when not looking after his lad Rory (keep yer eye on him by the way, he's gonna be a star) is always on hand with support and advice. He's started rebuilding a 98 R1 for me too. Dave Langley and his Dad. Never ending advice on set up and engine repairs/refreshing. Keith Thompson and Lee Thistleton who help out at some of the meetings. Martin Whitehead for short notice engine parts. Alex James, Pete Alderson and Sid Coltman for photography. There are others, they know who they are. Lastly, you lot for your kind words, advice and encouragement. Thank you each and every one of you. #172
Great season & write up mate. I look forward to meeting you on the track sometime whether trackday or racing. And envy you for enjoying 10+ yrs of cadwell, what great track. Good luck for 15. I've joined no limits & gonna enter their newcomer600
Great write up indeed!! Best of luck for 2015, deserve it for being such a gent despite all those cheeky people borrowing your loctite at Cadwell [SMILING FACE WITH SMILING EYES]. If I'd realised who you were, would have stopped for a proper chat. Cadwell really is a fun track to ride a bike fast on and to do it at such a quick pace as a privateer is something to be rightly proud of.[THUMBS UP SIGN] Sent from my iPhone using 675.cc mobile app
