Zimbo's Desmodue report from Oulton Park

[zimbo]

All fairly uneventful this time really. 583 track record there is 2.05, my best last year was 2.12 so was aiming for well under 2.10, was doing 2.12s on the Fri trackday, good day apart from a massive tank slapper out of Druids (fast, top gear double apex right hander with a ridge on exit where you're hard on the power and still cranked over) bars were banging lock to lock, tyre screeching, thought I was off but luckilly it got itself under control and I carried on - next time I'm nicking the steering damper off my 900! Cleggy (fast guy 600ss) was doing 2.08s so I knew I wasn't going to catch him, knew Shep would be similar pace, but bones and Ali Knight were also on 2.12s so thought I was in with a chance of 3rd.
Race day Saturday, Chappers arrived bang on time and was a great help doing paddock stands, eating icecream etc, and she also provided lunch - cheers!!!
Quallifying, another 2.12 from me but Bones and Ali were quicker as well as a couple of others so I found myself on 8th spot.
Race 1 - no dramas, good start and slotted into turn 1 in 5th but lost a couple of places on lap one, got a couple back, finished 7th, very tired, that track is exhausting!!! Best time 2.08, Bones did a 2,07 for third, Cleggy and Shep were on 2.03s!
Race 2 - shortened as time was limited due to a nasty accident in the previous race - another reasonable start, maintained 5th for most of the race behind Bones and Ali but wasn't able to catch them, then got mugged half way through final lap by James Thompson block passing me, I had to almost stop to get round the corner without hitting him (fair enough, he had the line) and this allowed Andy Challis to close and make a pass on the second last corner, tried to get him back into Lodge on the brakes but no way, so finished 7th again. Leaves me joint 4th in the championship, level with Andy Challis #75, Bones is 3rd with a reasonable gap (that'll teach me to fall off and miss one race at Mallory!!!) and Cleggy and Shep have a good lead in 1st / 2nd. Lap times were slower due to oil down on the circuit. No red flags and no injuries in Class B this time, first time this year we've finished a race without a faller or three, Class A (620) has one broken collarbone to show.

On to Castle Coombe in 3 weeks!!!

Photos - Chappers and Harriebird hard at work!

[zimbo]

More Pictures.

[Lin]

[zimbo]

G'day!!!!
Nice to hear from you stranger!!!!

[Pax]

Go girl