Pembrey 17th/18th/19th May 2002

Friday practice was almost a complete washout.  The rain just kept coming down in the morning, the afternoon was a little better but water drainage at Pembrey isn't the best.  The track eventually dried, all except the hairpin, which was at least an inch deep in water.  Very interesting on dry tyres!

Saturdays racing was held up until well after lunch whilst circuit staff tried to clear the waterlogged track.  Eventually it was decided to run on a shortened circuit, basically missing out the flooded hairpin section.  Riders now turned right immediately at the end of the pit wall, the first race, first corner was going to be a tad exciting to say the least.  After 3 practice laps I lined up on grid 18 for my first race and I got a great start but as I suspected the first corner was carnage, bikes going in all directions. 

One rider tried to out-brake me and flew over the bars like superman.  His bike struck me on my left-hand side and unbeknown to me damaging my footrest/gear change mechanism in the process.  It also dislodged my kneeslider, but luckily I stayed on. Needless to say the race was 'red flagged' and in the restart I again got a good start and soon made my way up to 12^th.  My left kneeslider came off and on the long lefthander I had to feel for the track, then lift my knee a little.  I was also having difficulty changing gear and I couldn't help slipping back to finish 18^th place.

Due to the late start to racing on Saturday my second race was carried over to Sunday. We used the shortened track again and I was grid 18 again. Another good start (hope this keeps up!) got me to 14^th place.  I was in a battle with 5 other guys and swapped places regularly.  I was a little unsure as there were damp patches all over the track and my caution led me to finish 18^th.

For my second race I was back on grid 18 and got away well to hold 14^th place for 7 of 8 laps until exiting the first righthander, I was too eager to get away from the chasing pack and pulled a huge wheelie and lost 3 places as a consequence to finish 17^th. 

The last race of the weekend we managed 2 laps before the first red flag and in the restart I messed up badly and was hemmed by the pit wall at the first corner and finished the first lap in last place.   I started to battle my way through the field but after 4 laps the race was stopped again and declared finished. I made it back up to 21^st. 

I was really disappointed not to score any points but I tried my best.  My fastest lap was only 2.5 seconds slower than the fastest of the day and there was some quality riders there all chasing the new Honda that is the prize for wining this Championship.

MY NEXT RACE IS AT DONINGTON ON 4^TH JUNE