Oulton Park DD Results and Review: 26 Apr 08

[Gizmo]

Originally Posted by ducbird

how could they... she is beautiful...

[Ollie]

Well what a Day, arrived Late Friday evening, then ended up chilling with Alistair and Ian Cobby and his better half, anded up sleeping in the back of Cobbys Van for the night, and i actually Slept like a Baby!!

Woke up saturday morning ready for the off, filled myself up with Actimel and then faced the tasks ahead.

So off i went for scruitineering, all was ok apart from numbers being too small, so not too bad!

First practice for me Was the SV practice, i thought ok i would just potter round and learn the track and my gears for it...so 2 laps later i thought lets have a crack at this track.....and off i went full tilt (ish), first thoughts going through my head were!! OH FOOOOOOOOOOOOK this feels quick the one thing i had to forget was the mirror signal manover then i was ok (this is hard when i religiously teach this every saturday!!) i feel i had mastered the Straight and the first corner the right hand drop down the hill to the massive left hander that was my fav corner flat out in 4th flicking up to 5th half way round, then the run to the hair pin, i loved that bit of track, well wont talk you through the rest of the track as its massive!!

i ended up doing a best time of 2.18 for the SV practice, as i was racing in the SV race and the DD race i had my DD practice, this meant straight back out for practice with no brake COOL!!!!

So i just went for it track fresh in my mind and warm tires!! so out on the first lap meant i could go for it from the off and i did, i soon passed some familiar numbers out there and i actually started to go for it even more, it was buzzing, i dont actually think there was a part on the track that i didnt like!!! I loved it all especially the 2nd and 3rd corners from last i carried so much corner speed there it was AMAZING!!

after the practice came back and then we got the results, where did i qualify??? Well so so so much better than i could hav imagined 9TH!! I was over the moon!!!!!

[Steve GD]

Originally Posted by Gizmo

Brilliant, Gizmo, thanks for that! Btw, was that your yellow ST4 I saw parked in the vicinity of Nogaromill's awning?

[Dan]

What a amazing circuit Oulton Park is, as a venue for racing and spectating it's in a different league to Mallory Park that's for sure.

So from the above posts you'll know I had a little departure from the saddle to do a little sky running, which I'm sure you'll agree sounds most impressive, but alas don't try and copy this at home kids as high-siding your bike on the last corner of the last lap of a race is a tad gutting. However that said I should have backed off a few laps before....

In the first race it was quite clear to me that I had not grasped the racing lines or braking points at all, I was simply zooming around reacting to corners instead of planning and prepairing for each one in sequence. In addition to the eventual crash I also came off the track at the end of the start and finish straight in a previous lap so things were getting very ragged out there for me. In qualifying I managed to qualify 15th so that wasn't too bad, and I ended up having a great time with Mad48 (James) in the first race the problem was I just didn't know where I was going most the time, and at 70mph with blind corners that isn't too clever and I was an accident waiting to happen.

Anyhow, after pushing my bike back to the pits help and assistance appeared from all angles and it was clear that nobody was going to let me feel sorry for myself as there was still another race to do. So by the time I put my bashed lid in the van, Nogaromill and Ghost had already straightened my clips-ons and two seconds later Gilps came over with a replacement clutch master cylinder and harrie appeared with a new footpeg. So after replacing the clutch line with a new braided one I had in my van and depleting Nogs supplies of Dot4, in less that an hour I was ready to race again, not bad after a high-side.

So with a total of three races under my belt and only one finish the plan for the second Oulton race was simply to finish before I started becoming a liability to the rest of the grid. I'm ashamed to say our little paddock area was far too busy and intense with so many people around asking questions that I had to escape it for a while to clear my (man flu, concussed) head so I left for an hour for a nice cuppa in more relaxed surroundings (thank you, you know how you are ) before returning ready for the next outing on track.

On the second race, I got an awefull start and my heart just wasn't in it so everybody flew past me toward the first corner and I eventfully tucked in behind harrie on the second lap. I didn't want to push my luck with any risky overtaking but managed to get past her into the hairpin, however on the last lap she got past me in again and then left me for dust, but I had a great time none the less and an excellent little battle all the way to the chequered flag.

It has to be said that huge praise must go out to Ollie and 955SP (Hugh), not only are they ridding amazing bikes but worthy congratulations they deserve for some cracking results, really well done fellas and surperb debuts.

So with lessons hard learnt I truly feel I'm a better rider for this weekends experiences, and although I'll not be at Assen, the race weekend at Pembrey in June should be a lot of fun with a very tight field on a very small circuit, if you're coming as a spectator just stand at the hairpin for all the action it'll be very interesting indeed.....

[Paivi]

Well done, guys and girls! You were missed in Bristol, but at least it sounds you were having fun! Glad there were no major upsets. Good stuff there, Ollie!

[Lily]

My view of life at Oulton!

Despite Oulton being my home circuit and the fact I love it I am generally not that quick here.

I had decided to give the 998 a run out as well just for fun, but with the itinerary showing back tp back with DD qually and races it was gonna be hard work.

Friday track day was tricky with random weather and lots of wheel swapping in the 998, this mean Saturday started with a wheel swap at 7.30 and out for first session of the day for 10 minutes qualifying on a brand new set of slicks. I minced my way around and came back to the pits ashamed of how scared I was riding the big bike.

DD qualifying and the plan was to chase Jon out as he had warm tyres. He was gone so I set off on my own chasing people down and trying to pass. With a 2.06 and 11th I was already better than last year so chuffed with myself.

I decided I would be too tired doing the first SOT race so left the 998 on the stands with a view of doing the second race.

!st race and my new start technique (thanks Dave ) helped me get away better than usual but still not good. I had some work to do in the first few corners but nailed it and was soon on the back of Tim and Jon..wooohoo!! I just had to work to stay there. Jon started to get away a bit so I was dicing with Tim. I could tell he was having some issues which I thought was gearing as he was struggling on exits. This was good for me as I carry exit speed and was able drive past. Not knowing how close he was behind I put me head down and started chasing Jon. I got back from 3 seconds down on lap 3 to finish 1.5 behind him at the line and I was very pleased with 7th.

Lap times were now 2.03 and I was ecstatic.. but also sad that with 62 bhp I was 2 seconds quicker than the 998. This made me realise I am too much of a girl to race the 998 and I should stick with DD!!

2nd race and totally pooped so my aim was to just stay safe and get points.. yeah right!! A totally horrific start meant I was well down into first corner. I did my usual of passing a few into cascades but was then tucked in behind Nick. I knew I was quicker but he was making me work for it for a few laps even waving at me once!! Once past him I dropped my lap times by 2 seconds a lap as I chased Rich Cashmore who I realised was gonna be tricky to pass. Last chance is into Lodge so I dump it in and park it then gas it to the line. An ok result with 10th but a bit down knowing I could go quicker. My faster laps were up with 6th place but a first lap 5 seconds off Jon and Otei there were not even in sight at the line ☹

But a good day albeit very tiring.

Huge thanks to Bob and Viv for everything, to Gizmo0 and Linzi for sorting the house out and doing food for guests in the evening and to everyone else for being great through the day.

Some great rides from folks today.. Earl – respect!! Harrie for grinning through the set backs and finally to Jon for a stunning 5th place.. nice one hun!!


Big thanks to our new sponsors Combined Stabilisation.

[trouty]

qual 19th in class A (eugh!)
DD 'A' race 1 12th - shoulder to shoulder with Dave Ainscough in the last 2 corners, whilst trying to avoid a bike laying in middle of the track!
SV race 1 - 4th
SV race 2 - 2nd
DD 'A' race 2 - battling for 7th and destroyed bike at Druids on final lap. Fast corner and lucky to get away with no injuried other than some scrapes and bruises. quick trip to med centre to get patched up.

Destroyed transit van on way home...!

on the plus (!) side, video footage from a+b qualifying, and 'A' race 2 survived, despite destroying recorder in the crash!

[dseered]

My Oulton Pics are in my gallery.......Pages 5 to 7 in the DD Gallery have lots more but am a bit busy today !

Desmo Due Ducati Racing.

[Ollie]

is there an official photographer at oulton park? I noticed loads of people walking round with some serious looking cameras, would love to see some more shots of the hair pin and the last 3 right handers, and also the 1st left hander, the carosel is it??

i dont know any of the corners names at oulton!

[zimbo]

Yes Ollie, PLJ were there photographing and will have the pics up in a couple of days to purchase.

PLJ Photo

[Ollie]

Originally Posted by zimbo

Yes Ollie, PLJ were there photographing and will have the pics up in a couple of days to purchase.

PLJ Photo

Cheers Zimbo, will be purchasing some i think!!

[TP#12]

Originally Posted by Ollie

is there an official photographer at oulton park? I noticed loads of people walking round with some serious looking cameras, would love to see some more shots of the hair pin and the last 3 right handers, and also the 1st left hander, the carosel is it??

i dont know any of the corners names at oulton!

Haha, it's called Cascades Ollie. Sorry I didn't come and introduce myself, I guess I'm a rude f*(&^(er!

I'm after some decent shots of the weekend too

[Lily]

Cope Images 2008 New Era Superclub Championship

[955SP]

Before I go into anything about my day I HAVE to day a huge thanks to David Nogaromill who while helping everyone else in vicinity with their bikes, dealing with the man-flu and trying to sort his own bikes power issues, found time to come and help me out with my bike and my setup.

It was really great to meet everyone, you all sound a lot more sane in real life!

Class B - Race 1 (13th of 19)

Luckily other than those on the grid behind me, sorry Sarah, few got to witness what was perhaps the worst start in the history of DD racing as spectators were watching from the bank at the side.
I basically thought I had only grabbed a small hand full of revs, I hadnt, but cause of all the noise of all the bikes and concentrating on the lights I didnt look down. Then when the lights went out I let of the clutch to find 4-5000 revs to send my front wheel skywards and then stall! I then watched everyone go around me, and off!.

I struggled to start the bike and then had to push up from about 50m behind everyone. Only plus point was that I got to see a lot of action on the first bend from a safe distance... how was the grass David?

In the end I manage to crawl back from 19th to 13th with a little help from Dan, hope you arent to bruised mate. I did have a plan for 12th and got their only for a bit, stealing it off Steve, but I pushed too hard on the last bend (one I struggled with all day) on a bad line and found the rumble strip and then watched Steve run back ahead again for 12th. Well done mate.

Class B - Race 2 (10th of 22)

Determined not to make a fool of myslef I aimed to take this start like any traffic lights in London and pulled away well and found about 10th by the first bend. I did try and keep up with the chaps in front but my head wasnt on that well and they started to pull away. I felt very zoned out, I think this might be because we all were called up early then had to wait a long time for the start. I just didnt feel very focused and soon people started to pass me. Only those who raced will know that you have to feel confident and "ON IT" to carry that kind of serious speed around that 1st left hander at a good lean and down to the hair pin.

Only by about lap 4 did the red mist come and I pulled up my pants and pin it a bit more. I then took back a few places and took advantage of errors made by people running wide etc to claw back to 10th.... just ahead of Ollie! I had a great run with Ollie and I think him and I may have a fair few battles this season.

Overall I am very happy with my result, I didnt think I would have any chance of a result like that in my first outing. I was very shocked with the pace of the first 6 guys who were lapping 2:04 to 2:08 compared to my best lap of 2:12.9 though I would be lying if I didnt say I want to be up that end by the end of the season (I also want to be a MOTO GP god but that wont happen either!).

Cheers to Dan and Steve for taking me in the fold and letting me follow around! Thanks to Sarah for being cool, funny and also for being predictable and taking the inside line on the last lap of race 2, thus blocking the person who I was chasing and allowing me to go around the outside to come home 10th!
Great also to meet Kenoir who was a top guy with a great bike!
Glad that Ron Jolley also came up to support the cause before jetting off to the Maldives, lucky git!
Oh and thanks Ron for the positive commentary on the video my wife was taking, I got home and watched it and all you could hear was you saying "oh I dont think Hugh will like you filming that, he just got overtaken." then the next clip "oh there all ganging up on him now I think you might find he loses a few more places this lap". CHEERS MATE! You of little faith, I got the places back!

Also thanks to Mad48 for saving my bacon and sending me the vinyl for the number. I didnt put 2 and 2 together until late in the day that you were infact Mad48 and hence I managed to dodge out of buying you lunch!

General thanks to everyone to making me feel so welcome. See you at Assen/Pembrey!

[Gizmo]

Originally Posted by Steve GD

Brilliant, Gizmo, thanks for that! Btw, was that your yellow ST4 I saw parked in the vicinity of Nogaromill's awning?

oops, no the ST4 in my profile is actually a mountain bike. me and linzi came down in car and spent the day in Jon and Claire's garage ( sorry for eating all the mini muffins and cookies Claire )