ACU British 250cc Championship, Anglesey 18-19 August
Round 6 of the 2007 British 250cc championship involved the longest journey of the season, a 680mile round trip to Anglesey north Wales. The circuit was completely rebuilt for the 2007 season and hence a more level playing field was expected. The long journey was well worth the effort even if the weather left a lot to be desired - the outcome a great track and 2nd podium of the season.
Due to work commitments unfortunately we were not able to set off until around 6pm on Friday but light traffic and pushing the ABSracing vehicle to it's limit meant we arrived shortly after midnight. Again thanks to Adrian for his suport accompanying me to the meeting. This proved to be invaluable throughout, especially when trying to setup the caravan awning in storm force winds and rain on arrival.
Due to work commitments unfortunately we were not able to set off until around 6pm on Friday but light traffic and pushing the ABSracing vehicle to it's limit meant we arrived shortly after midnight. Again thanks to Adrian for his suport accompanying me to the meeting. This proved to be invaluable throughout, especially when trying to setup the caravan awning in storm force winds and rain on arrival.
Saturday morning was relatively relaxed. The weather wasn't very inviting and a late start ensued. Practice wasn't until the afternoon and hence there was plenty of time to setup, have the bike scruitineered, sign on and attend the briefing. The weather stayed wet and windy hence the bike was adjusted to suit - wet weather tyres and different suspension settings. Even though the conditions weren't great it was quickly evident the track was. A few minor adjustments were made after the first session and invaluable wet weather experience was gained building upon earlier experience this season. Respectible lap times were achieved on par with the fastest bikes on track.
Saturday morning was relatively relaxed. The weather wasn't very inviting and a late start ensued. Practice wasn't until the afternoon and hence there was plenty of time to setup, have the bike scruitineered, sign on and attend the briefing. The weather stayed wet and windy hence the bike was adjusted to suit - wet weather tyres and different suspension settings. Even though the conditions weren't great it was quickly evident the track was. A few minor adjustments were made after the first session and invaluable wet weather experience was gained building upon earlier experience this season. Respectible lap times were achieved on par with the fastest bikes on track.
Sunday morning the conditions had improved but the wind was still very strong, the track damp and temperature low. We decided to try a different tyre combination and had an old set of slicks 'cut' to help accommodate the cold and damp conditions. We were caught napping slightly before qualifying and missed the first few minutes (not helped by a starting problem and feared engine failure after some strange noises - thankfully a false alarm!). Taking it easy at first to get used to the tyres and conditions the pace was gradually increased. The last lap felt on target for a quicker lap but unfortuntely a red flag meant the lap was cut short a few corners from the end. As a result we qualified a dissapointing 10th place, 3rd row of the grid, although having come from 9th to 3rd earlier in the season all was still to play for! Dry weather was forecast for the afternoon race, hence new slicks were fitted and a few alterations made to the bike.
Sunday morning the conditions had improved but the wind was still very strong, the track damp and temperature low. We decided to try a different tyre combination and had an old set of slicks 'cut' to help accommodate the cold and damp conditions. We were caught napping slightly before qualifying and missed the first few minutes (not helped by a starting problem and feared engine failure after some strange noises - thankfully a false alarm!). Taking it easy at first to get used to the tyres and conditions the pace was gradually increased. The last lap felt on target for a quicker lap but unfortuntely a red flag meant the lap was cut short a few corners from the end. As a result we qualified a dissapointing 10th place, 3rd row of the grid, although having come from 9th to 3rd earlier in the season all was still to play for! Dry weather was forecast for the afternoon race, hence new slicks were fitted and a few alterations made to the bike.
The build up to the race went well and I was fired up to gain grid positions after the start. I was very focussed on the grid and when the lights went out had a great start up to around 6th place. This was cut short due to a red flag half way round the first lap. Frustration wanted to show it's head but I kept my focus and on the restart had another good start to 7th place. I was up to around 6th at the end of the 1st lap and shortly after I caught up with a group of 3 running a reasonable pace (Pallett, Kenchington, McAloran). I settled behind for several laps while I learnt the track in dry conditions. I was getting good drive out of the fast Church bend and overtook Pallett down the adjoining straight. On the next lap I caught McAloran and overtook up into the complex. There was now a reasonable gap between myself and Kenchington infront but with open track I was now able to increase the pace and get to grips with the track. Lap times quickly fell by nearly 2s to 1:12. Within half a dozen laps I caught Kenchington (2nd in championship and multiple race winner) and was preparing for a pass into the complex several corners in front, starting with good drive out of The Banking. Unfortunately my focus wanderred slightly and when on full power the back end came round on a damp patch when exiting the corner. At first I thought I was already off the bike but to my amazement shortly after being thrown around I was still in the saddle heading onto the grass towards the tyre wall. Large run off was invaluable as I was able to make a gradual turn to arrive back on track. Unfortunately the excursion cost around 10s on lap 17 and I was passed by McAloran who prior was around 6s behind. During the near miss my right knee was injured and it took a few laps to accommodate a slightly different riding position and to clean dirt off the tyres. I was soon back into the groove and subsequently set my fastest lap of the race 1:12.04 on the 20th lap. I caught McAloran on the penultimate lap and made a pass going into the complex on the last lap. Chris [McAloran] made a strong reply and to my surprise let off the brakes and made the corner first - nice move. I made a last desparate move into the Corkscrew but to no avail and hence took the chequered flag just behind Chris. I was a little frustrated and when I discovered I had actually lost 2nd place it dawned on me it was time to hire a pit board crew - knowing 2nd was in grasp may have encouraged that extra effort during the last two laps which were slightly off pace.
The build up to the race went well and I was fired up to gain grid positions after the start. I was very focussed on the grid and when the lights went out had a great start up to around 6th place. This was cut short due to a red flag half way round the first lap. Frustration wanted to show it's head but I kept my focus and on the restart had another good start to 7th place. I was up to around 6th at the end of the 1st lap and shortly after I caught up with a group of 3 running a reasonable pace (Pallett, Kenchington, McAloran). I settled behind for several laps while I learnt the track in dry conditions. I was getting good drive out of the fast Church bend and overtook Pallett down the adjoining straight. On the next lap I caught McAloran and overtook up into the complex. There was now a reasonable gap between myself and Kenchington infront but with open track I was now able to increase the pace and get to grips with the track. Lap times quickly fell by nearly 2s to 1:12. Within half a dozen laps I caught Kenchington (2nd in championship and multiple race winner) and was preparing for a pass into the complex several corners in front, starting with good drive out of The Banking. Unfortunately my focus wanderred slightly and when on full power the back end came round on a damp patch when exiting the corner. At first I thought I was already off the bike but to my amazement shortly after being thrown around I was still in the saddle heading onto the grass towards the tyre wall. Large run off was invaluable as I was able to make a gradual turn to arrive back on track. Unfortunately the excursion cost around 10s on lap 17 and I was passed by McAloran who prior was around 6s behind. During the near miss my right knee was injured and it took a few laps to accommodate a slightly different riding position and to clean dirt off the tyres. I was soon back into the groove and subsequently set my fastest lap of the race 1:12.04 on the 20th lap. I caught McAloran on the penultimate lap and made a pass going into the complex on the last lap. Chris [McAloran] made a strong reply and to my surprise let off the brakes and made the corner first - nice move. I made a last desparate move into the Corkscrew but to no avail and hence took the chequered flag just behind Chris. I was a little frustrated and when I discovered I had actually lost 2nd place it dawned on me it was time to hire a pit board crew - knowing 2nd was in grasp may have encouraged that extra effort during the last two laps which were slightly off pace.
Moving on from the disappointment of missing 2nd it turned out that it really was a great result! The large distance behind the winner (contributed largely by off track excursion and poor grid position) didn't reflect the achievement - fastest lap only 0.3s slower than the winner and once up to pace with clear track many laps were within several 10ths of the leader's times. Not only were lap times on par with the winner/leaders but further progress was made this meeting in catching and running with one of the race winning regulars. Retaining 4th in the championship the gap to 3rd place has been reduced and the lead over 5th increased. Overall confidence has been increased and further progress is aimed for during the next meeting at Snetterton in two weeks.
Moving on from the disappointment of missing 2nd it turned out that it really was a great result! The large distance behind the winner (contributed largely by off track excursion and poor grid position) didn't reflect the achievement - fastest lap only 0.3s slower than the winner and once up to pace with clear track many laps were within several 10ths of the leader's times. Not only were lap times on par with the winner/leaders but further progress was made this meeting in catching and running with one of the race winning regulars. Retaining 4th in the championship the gap to 3rd place has been reduced and the lead over 5th increased. Overall confidence has been increased and further progress is aimed for during the next meeting at Snetterton in two weeks.
For results please visit Mylaps or ABSRacing
Additional Argus (only) part:
Not having ridden the 250 at snetterton before shouldn't be too much of a handicap because i'm familiar with the track, have always had good results there and should be able to get some valuable practice on the day before the British 250 race - that top step of the podium doesn't seem so far fetched anymore!
