Freak's Donny DD race report

**Freak** · 14 Aug 08, 06:13 PM

After a "summer break", having a holiday and getting engaged I arrived at Donny not really feeling to up for it, but it was great to see everyone again and the banter soon ensued which must of flicked a switch as I slowly began to look forward to the weekend.

Saturdays races were to be used to sort the bike and get my lines sorted as I hadn't been to Donington in a year, but the morning qualifying saw rain and when we went out it was still damp and I wobbled around not really gaining much but did my laps and had my fingers crossed for dry races in the afternoon.

Back at camp I asked Bob of he would swap the gearing something he loves doing… just to see if it would make a difference whether that be good or bad ready for Sunday. The first race came and it was pouring down so most decided to watch instead I think there were only 3 DD bikes out there it looked bloody miserable if I'm honest so I have a huge respect for those guys.

It was dry for the second race so I donned my leathers and lined up in 22nd! I don't remember much of the race but I actually enjoyed myself coming home as the 4th DD bike from memory, technically my highest DD placing to date but there were only a handful of DD'ers out there so it doesn't really count.

Sunday saw a bright sky and a few more familiar faces arrived to give their support, qualifying soon approached and the heaven's tried to open a few times, I had everything crossed hoping for a dry qualifying to get a decent grid slot, I was near the front so enjoyed a few laps of clear track before hitting traffic, I came in early as I wanted to save the tyres and the traffic was as I thought slowing me down, it was only then I was told I'd made the front row until I came in and was eventually bumped back to ninth…. D'oh!

With only the one long race I had no idea how I would cope over the length of the race and I know I could be fitter, so with plenty of fluids and some quick energy intakes I was ready to go, the track was dry and the sun was out although it was incredibly windy as the warm-up lap demonstrated. I lined up against the pit wall heading row three directly behind Cobby and Shep both of which I knew would get away well so the game plan was to follow them into Redgate if possible.

The lights went out and my start was average (I really need some consistency here) I'd lost ground on the pair of them but I stayed out wide following my game plan and as I dropped into Craner Curves realised I was about 7th or so, Ali Bisson ran wide at the old hairpin and ran off the track but rejoined in my peripheral vision as we ran into Schwantz and before long I had Andy Shep in my sights a hundred or so yards in front, a few laps in and I'd halved the distance to Shep when Ali Bisson re-appeared at the old hairpin diving underneath me into the turn but running out onto the kerbs and losing time, we were side by side up Schwantz me on the outside on the paint but having the inside line for McLean's and ahead again, this dice repeated itself for about 3 laps where Ali passed at the old hairpin but couldn't maintain the lead going into McLean's, Shep had drifted away with us two battling but I charged hard from Coppice trying to shake Ali and braked hard and late into the esses to gain crucial yards on Andy, I repeated this at Redgate and by the time I'd got to Coppice I was on Andy's rear wheel and slipstreamed him into the esses. With my head down for the next few laps I knew Andy and Ali would be on my tail but hoped they would be locked in a private battle and let me get away. Mid race I began to tire and slipped into trackday mode I wasn't pushing, I wasn't racing, I had no one to chase in front and was comfortable where I was, I looked back and saw a bike in the distance I thought it was Ali on the chase but I couldn't respond so just tried to remain consistent, a lap or two later I was passed at the esses but it was Nick not Ali. I slotted in behind Nick and my pace increased, a target to chase finally I sat behind for a lap just watching Nick's lines trying to figure out where and if I could pass, I also knew we were over 2/3rd's distance so I was happy to sit behind for a while knowing the only person realistically left to pass was Nick. I braked late into Redgate and carried speed through Hollywood and into craner right on Nick's tail, I was lining up for the old hairpin but the yellow flags were out, Foggy was down but OK, a victim of the wind so held off and drove hard up through schwantz and onto coppice I had the drive and as I braked for coppice I'd carried that much speed I was on Nick's back wheel much earlier than I had anticipated, I squeezed the lever a bit harder to avoid Nick and then tipped in, the wind just hit me and unsettled the bike and within a moment the bars were flapping and I was on the floor sliding on my backside into the gravel out of 4th place, to say I was gutted was an understatement.

So what could have been my best result and potentially a 3rd place and my first ever podium if I'd managed to stay on and pass Nick turned into another DNF, I was angry but also satisfied because I have come away knowing I can do it now, so with a bike to fix and my confidence running high Snetterton awaits.

Finally, a big thanks to Claire, Bob and Viv as ever for not only doing all of the work behind the scenes but for always being supportive and positive, and our sponsors - J&I Pipework Services, Combined Stabilisation, Italian Sporting Club.