Lydden 6th & 7th October 2001

Saturday
 
It was wet in the morning as could be expected but by my race it was dry. This was my second outing on the Pirelli's and after Snetterton's performance on them, I had high hopes. The race went as to be expected considering what I was up against but still managed to knock 5 seconds off of my lap times with a 23rd. As usual though for Lydden, the heavens opened and it was a rush to change wheels for my next race. I always seem to do better in the wet and I actually enjoy it now I understand what the bikes telling me. I finished 18th in pouring rain.

Sunday

Woke up Sunday to torrential rain, and I had to wait till 17.30 for my only race of the day, but it was worth the wait as I qualified front row on the grid for my final.  I got a good start and was first into the first turn but halfway round the bend I had a massive slide and I let a few bikes through, by then I completely lost my momentum and managed to claw back a seventh. A pretty average weekend.

 Silverstone 20th & 21st  October
 
Saturday

Wet again! Apparently it always rains at Silverstone. Never even seen the place before and it was a shock how big it is. Took first race easy to learn the track some more. Finished 22nd, not bad considering. Second race saw drying track so dries refitted. Pushed a bit harder this time and got 18th. I was starting to enjoy the track now. Looking forward to Sunday.

 Sunday

Guess what? Rain. First race was a succession of slides and front end skids but I enjoyed it and finished 20th. The second race was a revelation. I got a blinding start and was running second, chasing a guy on an R6. I showed him my front wheel and he pushed too hard and lost the front. I was in the lead ! Dad had told me not stop unless a marshall jumped out in front of me. He had heard stories of guys leading for the first time, panicking thinking the race had been stopped, only to be passed by the entire field. I led for 5 laps, only to be passed on the last lap, but I hung on for 3rd and a trophy! Yessss!! At last some reward for my efforts. I felt like a world champion. Now I know I can do well with the right bike.

Brands Hatch 27th  October
 
Saturday

The last meeting of the year and glorious sunshine at last. I must have been a good boy. Race 1 went ok but the bike was starting to feel really tired now and I finished 22nd, but improving my personal best time. Race 2 was more of the same with a very frustrated 22nd again. I knocked another 5seconds off my times though. Now getting so close to good, consistent results but for the bike holding me back. But good news. Dad has put a deposit on Ricky Chadwicks spare bike. Dad has till January to find the rest of the money. Ricky won 3 races on it on his way to taking the BEMSEE 600 title. It has just been refreshed by Ian Hickey and has all the best bits and more. I am so excited now. An extra 20 bhp should make a huge difference to the speed over the Suzuki which only made 86bhp!
 
 Till Next Time - Tim NO 16