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MALLORY PARK 21st March 2002
Rear grip problems once again plagued my weekend. In the morning practice session I didn't experience any rear wheel slides but the back end didn't feel quite right. We changed the rear tyre just in case.
Race 1
Was the first of two that would comprise round 1 of the New ERA Superclub Championship with a prize of a brand new Honda CBR600 for the Championship winner. I was drawn on grid 7 and I was hopeful of a good finish. I got a good start and I was fourth into the first corner and all was going well even though I'd dropped a few places to seventh by the end of the first lap. There was no problem entering Gerard's but mid corner I felt the back end slide and had to roll off the throttle. This happened every time and I just went into reverse dropping further and further back. Towards the end of the race I also started to slide at the Devil's Elbow. I eventually finished 19th.
We phoned Eamonn Cleere and he gave us a few adjustments to make.
Race 2
I was on grid 19. I managed to get another good start and picked up several places by the first corner. I managed to hold on for the first lap but by the second lap I was still suffering rear grip problems but not as bad as in the first race. Unfortunately I dropped back to finish 22nd. I was really gutted, I had such great hopes but my best lap of the weekend was only just in the 54's. I really felt that I could get into the 53's.
The bike will visit Tech 2000's workshop before my next race and hopefully Eamonn will be able to sort the handling, maybe he'll also make it so the rear tyres last longer.
MY NEXT RACE IS AT CADWELL PARK ON 4TH, 5TH AND 6TH MAY
www.jamesclampracing.co.uk
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