JAMES CLAMP - RACE REPORT JULY 2001

Snetterton - BMCRC Round 12 - Saturday 7th July

As a newcomer I was placed on grid 34 out of 40,  I was so keen to get a good getaway that I almost did a 'jump start'.  Fortunately, I didn't and I managed to pick up a few places in the run up to the first corner.   I settled down in around 25th place and during the next 9 laps I fought my way to 17th place.  In my second race of the day I started from grid 17 but it had rained just before my race.  The tack was almost water logged and as we lined up for the start the heavens opened again.  I managed to avoid wheel spinning off the line and gained a few places.  It was hard work concentrating so much in order to avoid slipping, but I managed to stay on and took my first top 10 finish with a 7th place.

Snetterton - BMCRC Round 13 - Saturday 8th July

In the first race of the day and I was determined to improve on my Saturday performances.  I got a clean start and was soon battling for 16th place.  It took a few laps to get past the faster Yamaha R6 but I managed to out-brake him at the end of Sear's Straight.  I succeeded in holding him off and  I felt that this finish proved that Saturday's 17th place was no fluke.  I was hoping to repeat my top 10 finish from the day before and this time the rain held off.  I was locked in a battle with 3 other riders for 8th, 9th and 10th place but lost out to the superior horsepower of newer bikes to finish 10th.

Snetterton - New ERA Superclub Round 5 - Saturday 14th July

This series is a lot more competitive than the BMCRC and I didn't expect to do as well.  I started from grid 31 and I proceeded to prove my abilities with a very creditable 15th place finish.  In an eerie repeat of the previous Saturday the weather took a turn for the worst and it began to rain, thunder and lightening about half an hour before my second race was due to start.  On with the 'Wets' and I was hopeful of a good finish from grid 15.  I eased my way to 14th place and was engaged in a scrap with a Suzuki GSXR600and an R6.  I managed to get in front of them by the Bomb Hole on the last lap.  I thought they would try and out-brake me into the Russell Esses so I went in a little faster than before.  As it turned out it was a little too fast and as I cranked the bike over for the left-hander I lost the front end.  I was unhurt and the bike suffered slight scratching (well apart from the ton of mud in the fairings, battery box and almost everywhere else.  That was my first crash of this season.

Snetterton - New ERA Superclub Round 6 - Saturday 15th July

Sunday dawned bright and sunny and as before I found myself back on grid 31.  Over the 9 laps of this race I felt myself getting a little tired but I pushed on to finish 18th.  The weather held and from grid 18 I was son in a four bike battle.  Although I tried my best my lack of horsepower and my gradually diminishing strength saw me finish in 19th place.  I felt totally drained; after all, what with practice laps I had raced for over 200 miles in the two weekends.  I think a few visits to the gym to work on my stamina may be in order.

My New outing is at Mallory Park on the 5th of August, then, because of work commitment I won't be racing until September. 

P.S.  Its my 18th birthday on 1st September, anyone fancy buying me an R6 for my birthday (hint for my Dad)