Mallory Park 16/03/14

 

We arrived at Mallory Park late afternoon on Saturday, unloaded the van’s and managed to get the bikes scrutineered. Then we set about putting up the awning in high winds, we eventually got it all sorted, and without going hang gliding over Hinkley!

 

A few final adjustments to the bikes we then had a curry and a few beers!!

 

Up at 6am, preparation for the day ahead begins, bikes out of the awning, final checks, a few photo’s and then get changed for clothing scrutineering and signing on.

 

Noise testing went well (as we were unsure what levels we were at!) then out in first practise and qualifying. This went well enough and we qualified 5^th and 6^th, both on the second row (this was a mixed grid as we were in the same race as the 125GP class).

 

First race, we both got a good start and were 1^st and 2^nd into Gerrard’s, I was right behind Nigel, everything is going to plan! Nigel managed to pull a small gap on me as I was being extra careful on the first few laps due to the cold track and tyre temperature (for some bizarre reason, the Earlystocks club still don’t allow tyre warmers!!).

After two laps, I was holding the small gap that Nige had pulled. By lap 5 I had started to get a misfire whilst accelerating out of the corners, this allowed Nigel to start to get away slightly more and I was starting to get caught from behind! The bike got worse throughout the remainder of the race, but I managed to get it home, 10 seconds behind Nigel but 1 second in front of the third place rider, so although not ideal, we still managed 1^st and 2^nd in class and in the overall Earlystocks race.

 

Back in the paddock we set about getting the tank off my bike, drained carbs, nothing really to see but we did notice that the air filter wasn’t quite sealing on number one carb! We refitted the air filter and put the tank back on. Fired it up and now is running fine again!

 

Race two and once again a flying start, I tucked in right behind Nigel and tried to stick with him on the cold tyres. He did manage to pull a small gap once again, after three laps he had pulled about 4 seconds but I was now matching his speed and holding the gap.

I then started to reel him back in. Lap by lap I was closing on the brakes into Edwina’s chicane and also the Hairpin. I then focussed on trying match him around Gerrard’s (apparently the longest single apex bend in the world) on a race track anyway. He had been stretching out a bit around there, where I was better on the brakes, after a couple of laps I was actually closing on him around Gerrard’s so I was right on his tail by this time. Knowing how good he is, I decided that I would sit behind him and out brake him into the Hairpin on the final lap. If I can block pass him then I should just about out run him to the line!

A lap and a half to go and Im right on his tail, then the misfire comes back, I could not believe it, I was fuming! Out of every corner Nige was just gaining a little every time, we came onto the start and finish straight for the final lap and just to add insult to injury we came up on two more back markers just in the wrong place, Nige got passed them going into Gerrard’s that pushed the second one across into my line, I had to brake harder going in which meant the end of any hope of any dare devil braking manoeuvres for the lead! I got around the outside of the two back markers and got my head down, I did close him down on the brakes but the lack of drive just gave him the edge. We crossed the line 1^st and 2^nd once again, this time Nigel was only 1 second in front of me!

As I pulled off the track the bike cut out all together, after further investigation, it appears that there is some sort of blockage in the carbs causing them to flood.

Not sure if this is due to the off in testing, but its back to the workbench and carb cleaning and servicing once again!

 

When we got the time sheets from race control, it turned out that I had actually got the fastest lap of the race which was also my personal best for Mallory Park!

 

All in all, a very successful meeting and start to the 2014 season!

1^st and 2^nd in both races… We couldn’t ask for better than that!!

 

I would like to say a big thank you to our team sponsors

Mid Norfolk Mouldings

JT Chains and Sprockets

KJD Motorcycles

HiFlo Filters

Peels4u Graphics and Clothing

Slipscreens

And Rock oil.

 

Without the help of these people and companies, we would not be able to do what we do!

So Thank You all very much from all the team.