M.R.O Cadwell Park

Seeing as next season I am hoping to go and race again in the M.R.O National 600 class I thought it best to go and taste the water. I haven't been to Cadwell Park for over two years and not too good a time of the last visit there. I had a full day of testing there on the Friday before the meeting to try and familiarise myself with the circuit managing to put a lap time two seconds faster than my previous best.

Race day

Free practice session was only five minutes long so not much chance of going faster there put a lap time of 1:39.4 so things was going to have to improve if I stood a chance of qualifying for one of the 38 places on the grid.

Qualifying As we prepared in the pits for the 18 minute session the sky was filling with dark thunder clouds, it was certain to rain just how long before it did? As we went down to the holding bay it was obvious that I was going to go and put a fast lap in straight away to make sure I was to qualify. On my first flying lap (I know how hard superpole must be) there were a few drops of rain coming down but not enough to wet the circuit. This lap time was a 1:39.45 on my second lap the heavens opened and it was a complete wash out so I returned to the pits. There wasn't much point in putting the wets on as I would never better my time so an early end to the session.

Race After qualifying 30^th on the grid I was just hoping to get around the first few turns as I have had my fair share if incidents going up the hill. After a ok kind of take off from the line I slipped right back to the rear of the field within a few turns bit too careful (probably nerves as you get use to starting at the front in the club meetings). But we where up and running I managed to take about three places (including Magsports Tim Capper who I wanted to beat) back going into Park corner at the end of the straight, and nearly every lap managed to pass someone in to Park.

By about lap 10 I was starting to struggle with the stock suspension with a few slides including one major near highside out of the newly resurfaced Charlie 2 but I was up to 23^rd. I lost two places on the last two laps one of which was to Tim Capper who nipped past on the last lap. I tried as hard as I dare but losings too much time out of the Gooseneck and into Mansfield to do anything about it so I finished 25^th which I had to be pleased with.

 I am hoping to maybe enter another couple of M.R.O rounds by the end of the season with a race shocker fitted if funds allow.

 Next round is back at Carnaby 2 at Leconfield NR Hull on the 25^th August.

I would like to thank Dean Ashton @ Ashton Performance Centre for again setting my bike up perfectly, Magsport and everyone else who helped and supported me over the weekend.