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Round 12 Brands Hatch GP – 10th

Back to Brands Hatch for the last round of the season and wet weather is on the cards.
After I lead the race for the first 6 laps earlier on in the year on the GP circuit until I was forced to retire I was confident I could fight again in the dry for a win.

Picture By Paul Egan

Free Practice
I’d say the track was 80% dry, but much of the back of the circuit was wet, as to not risk a crash I took it easy and got aquainted with the circuit again. 11th – 1:31:254.

Qualifying
1:28.905 I qualified 7th putting my fastest time in on the last lap of the session. When I came in for the new tyre I was held in pitlane as there was a suspected oil leak from my bike. This was contained and I had 2 laps to put the time in. It wasn’t good enough for pole but would put us in a good position for the race.

Qualifying 2
Q2 was wet but drying and no one improved. I took it steady in this session as to not risk a crash before the race.

Warm Up
I went out to confirm the bike was ready and to do a practice start in the wet as it would be my first wet race, the start was good and I was confident for the race.

Race

I got a good launch but quickly realised that my set up was wrong when pushing on in the full wet. The bike was to hard and finding grip was a real balancing act. I dropped back to tenth but I am very happy with the way I rode, I kept my cool and rode my own race. 100% effort was put in to stay on the bike and hold my position and I finished the race in 10th position.
2013 has been a successful year for me, I think it’s clear I have found the class for me on the 1000cc machine, which has increased my confidence in working towards competing in superbike. Despite some unfortunate and unlucky set backs through out the year we have achieved some good results, especially for mine and Idaq’s first season. I believe I have learnt the fundamentals of how to be competitive on the 1000cc machine in 2013 and I am looking forward to working towards how I am going to take the title in 2014. I want to thank Mark and Sarah Roebuck for believing in me coming in to this season and giving me the opportunity, Colin for his advice and direction from Cadwell Park onwards, Dave my Mechanic for his tireless efforts and PCR for their input working on the motorcycles away from the meetings. Also a big thanks to my Dad for his input and always believing in me and standing by my decisions and my personal sponsors for without their support the season would not have been possible. Homechoice Carpets-Leeds – GHM Services – ToiletSpares.co.uk – Cougar Leathers – Bikers Division Ltd – Daytona Boots – R&G Racing – Samco Sport By Racebikebitz Ltd – Paul ‘Noddy’ Brown – Walters Medical

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Silverstone RD 11 National Superstock – Bad Luck sums up the weekend

 Silverstone was an enjoyable weekend up until race day. Qualifying didn’t go my way with 13th place but I learnt an important lesson in the fact that effort isn’t always simple or physical action, espeically not on the 1000.
I made it hard work for my self on track with pushing my braking markers back on my strong areas and this effected my lap time. In the race I made an average start but made up for it in the first turns. Later on in the lap I quickly came to realise that the level of grip I had at the rear of the bike was unpredictable, I was having moments. On lap 6 Whilst in 11th the bike stepped out suddenly and I highsided, we’re still reviewing the bike and data to find out exactly what happened. I will take a number of things from this meeting, I will be focused on using the session’s to their fullest in the future and will stick to my markers. Silverstone gave me clarity that you can earn a faster lap and race time from precisely building on what you know you are capable, and that is with every aspect of your corner entry, apex and exit. It can’t be achieved by simple physical efforts promoting only one of these at a time.
I’m looking forward to Brands Hatch GP now, it is the last round and I am going to be working hard to make sure I get my best result yet.
Thank you to my personal sponsors
Homechoice Carpets-Leeds – GHM Services – ToiletSpares.co.uk – Cougar Leathers – Bikers Division Ltd – Daytona Boots – R&G Racing – Samco Sport By Racebikebitz Ltd – Paul ‘Noddy’ Brown – Walters Medical
Thank you to my mechanic Dave for all his efforts, Colin for his advise, Mark and Sarah for the opportunity, PCR and everyone in the team.