Rattler's Quick(ish) Mallory report......

[Rattler]

5 weeks ago I was sitting in a Spanish hospital with my arm being pulled above my head by a Doctor and quickly discovering that AAAAAARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH is an internationally recognisable term that translates to "actually old boy, that movement you are endeavouring to execute on my clavicle, fugging hurts - get orf !!!!!! "

I'd snapped my collarbone after a spill at Quadix last month and the first race at Mallory seemed a very unlikely and painful proposition........thoughts were of dropping races and playing catch up etc etc, and I'd convinced myself that missing Mallory wouldn't mean the end of the season, still had a chance, etc, etc....

.....So what the hell was I doing unloading the wagon at Mallory Park in the ****5ing wet on a Sat afternoon in March!! - well, its racing and I love it!!

In truth, the shoulder was healing well, and along with a month's worth of tramadol, co-codamol, and Magners it had left me virtually unable to feel anything!! After a cheeky ACU day on the Weds, I knew I could make the races, it would hurt - sure, but I'd spent a long Winter hidden away in the garage in order to line up at Mallory and if I could get there, I was going to.

Chass has been an absolute star in getting the bike repaired and prepared for the season, she was not in good shape after the "exit stage left" in Spain. But the OD2 maestro had worked his magic and all was shiney and bright.... thanks mate, I wouldn't have got out without your help.

So time to race....
I'd missed the tension, anxiety, panic, fear and emotional high you get from getting ready for racing, and I was really glad to be pulling on (ouch) the leathers and getting on with DD 2008.

Qualifying
Qualifying was a disaster, a loose and poorly positioned transponder, meant that I couldn't turn right!! - the transponder spun on its mount and got stuck between forks and frame which created some issues at the hairpin!!! So a muddled few laps and hard braking meant a second row start was as best as I could get, but not where I wanted to be. If I can manage the pain and get out there, I just wasn't there just to make up the numbers, otherwise I could be sitting by the sidelines drinking warm tea and Magners!!! Focus boy, focus!!!

Race One
A fair start saw me 5th into Gerrards, some dicing, swapping paint, stoppies, slides, out-braking, thoughtful and thoughtless maneouvers later saw me 5 laps in and battling with Mike Dawson for 4th - I hit his backwheel coming into the hairpin with my backwheel in the air and realised what pain management was all about. Adrenaline is the best pain-relief you can get apparently, but it can also stick you back on your ****!!! So I chased hard, managed a few slides and kept the fast charging Andy Shepp behind me and collected 5th spot.
On reflection I was happy with that, the laptimes showed that I was quicker than Mike in front of me, so I had a plan for race 2.

Race Two
After what felt like an age, we lined up again for the second race. Spirited by my luchtime cocktail of Tramadol and bananas I was ready!! I was feeling tired and expectant. I'd hoped to beat Mike Dawson and hopefully get up to Dom and the (pre-warmed!! ) Fogg man, but as always, races can pan out differently. I had a reasonable start again and this time bith Andy and I battled with Mr Fogg. We had some incidents and moments, nothing as mad as race one, but the Foggmeister eventually got back past me and Andy after some aggressive moves, he cleared off and showed decent pace, I just don't know who he is, or what he's done before, but he's quick - nice one.

All braking and hard turns were hurting now and with Andy now in front of me in 5th, I planned a last lap overtaking approach on him, either at Edwinas or the Hairpin. I felt I had the pace on Andy all weekend, but he's coming on fast and will be good competition all year I feel. So with a late braking move into Edwinas on lap 8 (ouch!!) I squeezed past and with defensive lines through the hairpin and the bustop, I managed to hold off Andy and cross the stripe in 5th.

So all in all, that's job done. Damage management and damage limitation all in one.

Thanks to Chass, Ali and all the well-wishers, great to see Matt and Dom battling in the 583s. Congrats to TP for getting his race one tarmac-damaged ars3 on the podium in race 2 too. And also great to see all new riders out there, especially Jimbers and you Ducatisti guys and gals who were there and really enjoying it, even if Dan does need to go back to flag school!!! - the last lap flag does not mean stop riding now!!! these guys are the future of DD and a very welcome addition.

See you in Cheshire.
Tim

[TP#12]

VERY good results considering mate, you should be happy with that. Nice work

[trouty]

beaten by a bloke with one arm... oh the shame...

ahahaha! nice work fella!

[ducbird]

and you mister what an inspiration you rode so well with
your injury well done to you

[Freak]

I reckon it was mind games, fast as ever got to be

[Dan]

Originally Posted by Rattler

.... and you Ducatisti guys and gals who were there and really enjoying it, even if Dan does need to go back to flag school!!! - the last lap flag does not mean stop riding now!!! these guys are the future of DD and a very welcome addition.

I'm such a Muppet but least I wont ever make that mistake again. Great to meet you Tim and congratulations on a good result with an injured/recovering shoulder.