The Brands Hatch anticipation thread - Page 3

**Matt-T28** · 22 Jun 08, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ollie

Hi mate, i have a 3 man tent now if you wish to squat in there??

seams a shame for it just to be mine!!

Any others are always welcome!

Flash Git!!!

Even has a 3 man tent for a toilet!

We rough it mate!

**CK & AK** · 22 Jun 08, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan

Really looking forward to Brands, how hard is it on tyres?

If suspension is set up ok, then Brands isnt too bad at all, tho Clearways can inflict RH damage on tyres - particularly if suspension needs looking at.

**Dan** · 22 Jun 08, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CK & AK

If suspension is set up ok, then Brands isnt too bad at all, tho Clearways can inflict RH damage on tyres - particularly if suspension needs looking at.

I asked Cobby to have a tinker with my rear shock at Pembrey <thanks Ian> so hopefully that'll help but I need to do a little more testing. Prior to Cobby's advice for the first day at Pembrey and also Assen my tyres appeared to have far more wear then everbody elses.... well the back was mainly!

At Pembrey Cobby was saying I was 'picking up rubber'

on my front tyre, so I had fears I was going to be riding around with a tracker tyre on the front by the end of the day.

I put new tyres on before Pembrey so they've done a trackday, two practice sessions, and four races, but I have no idea if they're past their best, so will be running them at Brands, although I do have a pair of 'Class A' part worns if needed.

I've only ever felt the front twitch 'badly' once at Assen, and the back spun for the first time in the last race at Pembrey. It's all so confusing this tyre malarchy, when has a tyre had it, and would I notice anyway seeing as I'm not that fast?

**bradders** · 22 Jun 08, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghost

Arrggghh, I must have pressed the wrong link and got Bradders quote it was meant to be Sweetpeas.

You are very safe Bradders.

darn it!!! thought my luck was in, sweetie

**Matt-T28** · 22 Jun 08, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan

I asked Cobby to have a tinker with my rear shock at Pembrey <thanks Ian> so hopefully that'll help but I need to do a little more testing. Prior to Cobby's advice for the first day at Pembrey and also Assen my tyres appeared to have far more wear then everbody elses.... well the back was mainly!

At Pembrey Cobby was saying I was 'picking up rubber'

on my front tyre, so I had fears I was going to be riding around with a tracker tyre on the front by the end of the day.

I put new tyres on before Pembrey so they've done a trackday, two practice sessions, and four races, but I have no idea if they're past their best, so will be running them at Brands, although I do have a pair of 'Class A' part worns if needed.

I've only ever felt the front twitch 'badly' once at Assen, and the back spun for the first time in the last race at Pembrey. It's all so confusing this tyre malarchy, when has a tyre had it, and would I notice anyway seeing as I'm not that fast?

Its an interesting question that one fella, and one that i suppose is different for nearly everyone as some people can feel comfy on worn tyres and put in some mega lap times (TP) and other riders aren't comfy on a tyre thats probably not past its best. Personally, I feel my bike lets me know through little slides from the front tyre (most notably whilst trail braking) and the rear can seem to slip a little when right on the edge, where it hadn't done previously. Last season I used one brand new set and a set of scrubs all season, where as this season my bike will be on its fourth set at brands, but then I dont think i'm a rider who could get the best from them when there are starting to wear. You only have to look at TP's lap times and finishes to see that these tyres are capable when worn, it just takes a rider who has a feel for worn tyres which I dont think I have.

So to put it simply, unless its badly torn to bits from a bad suspension set-up, then I think its really down to personel feel.

**sweetpea** · 22 Jun 08, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghost

Arrggghh, I must have pressed the wrong link and got Bradders quote it was meant to be Sweetpeas.

Just too funny!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghost

You are very safe Bradders.

Hang on does that me I am not......

Going to watch the weather and might camp but Brands is only about an hour away so could drive / ride up for both days.

**Imola Duke** · 22 Jun 08, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt-T28

So to put it simply, unless its badly torn to bits from a bad suspension set-up, then I think its really down to personel feel.

I've yet to fit new tyres to mine, The current P/W's i have on the bike at the moment
feel much better than the tyres i had fitted before, Strange!
I have more faith in them and confidence to push harder.
They are X Freak tyres.

Jon, I'll be needing a set very soon, Let me know if you have any ?

**jasonboswell** · 22 Jun 08, 08:47 PM

well, having missed both Assen and Pembrey I cant wait to line up at Brands. Even cleaned my bike today.

**zimbo** · 22 Jun 08, 08:49 PM

Excellent news Jason, be great to have you there to race against! Looking forward to it even more now . . .

**Imola Duke** · 22 Jun 08, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zimbo

Excellent news Jason, be great to have you there to race against! Looking forward to it even more now . . .

Don't forget about Ollie! You Guys are way out of his league now he has

put his bike on a diet and sorted the brakes

**Lily** · 22 Jun 08, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Imola Duke

I've yet to fit new tyres to mine, The current P/W's i have on the bike at the moment
feel much better than the tyres i had fitted before, Strange!
I have more faith in them and confidence to push harder.
They are X Freak tyres.

Jon, I'll be needing a set very soon, Let me know if you have any ?

We have two rears waiting and will have a full set at some point at Brands again (hopefully Sat afternoon)

**jasonboswell** · 22 Jun 08, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Imola Duke

Don't forget about Ollie! You Guys are way out of his league now he has

put his bike on a diet and sorted the brakes

well, Ive put on a couple of pounds (!) while lazin' in the south of france for a couple of weeks, so i could either lose some weight off the bike or live off soup for the next 10 days.. hmm.

but looking forward to resuming our on-track rivalry Zimbo, and seeing what Ollie has got in his tanks. I had a brilliant time in that second race at Oulton, so hopefully we can pick up where we left off...

**Imola Duke** · 22 Jun 08, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lily

We have two rears waiting and will have a full set at some point at Brands again (hopefully Sat afternoon)

Superb

... I'll get them fitted for sunday, Pembrey has shreaded mine

Zimbo, yours don't look to clever!

**zimbo** · 23 Jun 08, 06:12 AM

Fear not Steve, new set going on at Brands!

**harriebird** · 26 Jun 08, 01:17 PM

hi guys, just to let you know i won't be racing at Brands. i don't want to make a massive deal of it, but circumstances dictate it's time to put the bike up for sale and do something else instead.

my bike will be up in the classifieds later today.

I'll still be at Brands to cheer and support and offer the usual range of supportive cuddles, sweeties and hand holding though.

DD has been brilliant for me but it's time for pastures new. a tough choice but one i've made and i'm cool with (well today i am anyway!). i won't be giving up racing but it's just got to go to one side for a little while.

this will be the new toy!

hopefully i'll be able to earn an extra few quid with said new toy and get another race bike sorted for next season.

good luck for Brands everyone, i'll really miss the racing and if i burst into floods of tears at any point over the weekend then i am very sorry indeed!