Back on Winning Form

 Round 3 of the Auto 66 clubmans challenge also included the second round of the clubmans cup, which was my first round as I missed the two-day meeting at Croft.

 As we arrived at Carnaby 2 the queue was as far as we could see which instantly gave the impression that there would be some full grids and some unknown riders. Not long after we arrived it started to rain and it seemed to be looking to be it for the duration. And I was hopeful this would suit me as I am at ease with the wet conditions, just not fun for the spectators which wouldn't really matter as the meeting was closed to the public due to the foot and mouth fears.

When we went out to practice we were shown around by the pace car as nobody knew the circuit as it was the first meeting held here at the training ground at the army barracks at Leconfield. Most of the corners looked similar being made up of roundabouts and t junctions, the first corner looked like it was going to be fun as it is a right hairpin into a left hander called Westmorland named after Dick and Mark Westmorland. For our second session the rain was pouring and I could hardly see through the spray while trying to remember which way the corners went.

Race 1 600 Clubmans Cup

 This was a wet race but at least it had stoped raining so visibility was a bit better. From a second row start I had a great start arriving at the first corner first as I tried to get the power down the rear tyre let go just giving me a reminder that these wets still need a bit of care. Within half a lap I released that I was just about lost and could really do to be following someone to at least make it a bit easier, thankfully Mick Goodings passed me about a lap later. By about half distance we were miles ahead so I decided that I would follow Mick until the last lap then mug him for the win. But we were both caught napping by Kevin Nesbet so I ended in third place.

Race 2 Senior Clubmans Cup

 As we prepared for the second race it was still wet so I decided to go for wets, as it might be a bit tricky on the dry tyres with all the wet patches. As I arrived at the holding bay I noticed that only about a ¼ of the field were on wets, then just my luck a hold up in the sidecar race meant that it was about a dry track as possible as we took to the grid. From a third row start I arrived at Westmorland in about 4^th place as we all turned in I heard a bit of bumping from behind then an almighty impact into the side of my bike almost knocking me off. I had no idea how many places I had lost and set off in persuit of the leading bunch. As I caught up to Peter Wilson who also had plumped for wets we seemed to be passing each other rather than catching the others up, we even lapped riders on dry tyres so I knew we weren't going so bad. I finished up in an amazing 5^th place out of a full grid.

Race 3 1300 Clubmans Challenge

Now I had the right tyres on I would see how I would go. With an average start I was in 6^th place and spent the whole race trying to pass Paul Butfield on his new GSXR1000 which seemed impossible due to the straight line speed. Every time I closed on the twisty bit he would instantly pull away onto the straight leaving me to close in again at the next bend and that's how I finished in 6^th place.

Race 4 600 Clubmans Challenge

At least there's no R1's, GSXR1000 or blades in this class I spent most of the race in 3^rd place just dropping away from the front 2 and thought I had a safe 3^rd place, I just got passed on the last lap by Kevin Nesbet. I think I need to be keeping a eye on what's happening behind as well of in front or at least to keep pushing until the end of the race.

Race 5 1300 Clubmans Challenge

From a second row start I headed into Westmorland in 3^rd place behind the Butfield brothers on their GSXR's. A collision right behind me again when Derek Heron run up the rear of Pete Wilson entering that dodgy first turn which gave me a break to chase the two ahead. I tried to get close enough to make a pass on them but the same again just not the power to do anything with them, maybe an old CBR600 just isn't good enough to compete but at least I was right behind them in 3^rd place.

Race 6 600 Clubmans Challenge

 The final race of the day and I decided I really should be winning this one as I have beaten the other 600 in the open race. I made the hole shot from the front row again there was a bumping and barging into the first turn. I think some people think they can go from the 4^th or 5^th row into first place into the first corner (you know who you are) any way I just seemed to ease away to take the win which will make the points table look better.

I am now 3^rd in the 600 Clubmans challenge and 4^th in the the 1300 Clubmans challenge and the 600 Clubmans cup

My next round is at Oliver's Mount at Scarborough on bank holiday Monday 7^th May I have never been there before so I just hope for a few points and no crashes would be nice.

 Many thanks to the guys at K.F.M and Mark Westmorland and Dean Ashton for their advice on Scarborough.