Getting Back To Winning Ways March 11th

Well the first meeting of the year over, I had a terrible time not only struggling to hold on to the bike (result of broken wrist) I also started having problems engaging gear cleanly. So in the interest of the gearbox (and my hand) we called it a day for Saturday and hoped the box would hold out on Sunday.

I only did a few laps on Sunday morning practice to preserve the gearbox and we decided that I would only do the championship races as well, there was no point in doing anymore damage to either the bike or myself for the possibility of a few trophies.

Come the first race the 1300 clubmans challenge only a few laps in I couldn't even get into 4th gear so I was just holding the clutch and changing straight into 5th, by the end of the race it was impossible to get through to 5th gear so a bad result I was about last place.

We were deciding what my options were I could either pack up and go home or put some really tall gearing on to try and only use the first 3 gears, So that was our only real option.

The second race was the Formula 600 challenge so at least we didn't have the R1's to contend with. The start was a bit hard to judge as never tried a start with this gearing but I think I held my own away from the second row start, going on to the second lap I discovered that I still needed 4th gear down the longest straight. I just about got use to the gears by the end race only having to change down 1 gear instead of 2 for the squiggly bits.

Race 3 1300 clubmans challenge again, Front row start and to my amazement actually first into the first corner even with gearing for about 170mph. Then I suddenly released that when I arrive on to the start/finish straight if I miss the change (and I probably would) will everyone hit me from behind? So I took a line right to the side of the track so the others might take to the inside of me and sure enough I missed the gear and about 4 or 5 bikes shot past me so I just held on to finish 7th place.

Race 4 the 600's again decided to go as hard as I possibly could from the start second into the first turn I lost a few places down the straight and by now getting a lot of pain when I braked heavily but I still held on to 5th place.

Roll on the next round and I hope to have a full box and some more strength in my wrists so I can get back on my winning ways of last year. Next round is on the 8th April at Elvington Park NR York.

I would like to thank the guys at K.F.M from Hull for the loan of your van.

If there are any more potential sponsors you can contact me through either Magsport or at some of my meetings.

Hope to see some of you there 

Cheers Alan