Well, the first round of the Thundersport Golden Era Superbike series was at Brands Hatch, 9th and 10th of March.
I didnt bother with the practice day as the weather wasnt looking good and as it turned out it was fairly wet on Friday, nevertheless there was a host of mods that I could have really done with testing but would have to suck it and see in Qualfying.
It was bloody cold and with a track that was half wet/ half dry all weekend it was kinda tricky. I went and bought some new Bridgestone wets and waited until we were out.
Big grid this year, 37 riders entered but i think only about 28 on track..some may have cried off or had problems with their bikes? SRADS, RSV1000's, ZX7R's, Ducati 955SPS, MV Augustas...it looks a trick grid this year with some nice bikes. My heart sinks a little, this season is going to be tough.
Qualifying - 9thI rode around quite steady, it all felt OK but was pretty slippy at Druids (the hairpin). The bike didnt feel too bad and the 30mm offset and re-valved rear shock has transformed it..it really does feel like a 250GP bike but not really the conditions for a proper test.
1st race - DNSAs I came to the start to take up my position, the clutch came loose ! Turns out we hadnt been tightening the nut up enough all this time, luckily a Ducati team from the Powerbike class (they had a Panigale) who took a genuine interest in the bike, came along with a clutch holding tool and we did it correctly..along with Loctite !
2nd race - 8thI had the idea of sticking slicks on....not the best idea Ive ever had, but the track was nearly dry and the Michelin supermoto slicks are like a wet compound slick anyway...could be my trump card......But I rode like a pussy willow, found it hard to judge how late to brake on the (ice looking) wet parts of the track and the rear spun up when the dry line disapeared. Was getting a bit more confident, but the bike was struggling on top end..something was wrong?
When I got back, we found the main jets had fallen out !! Oh well, jetted up one size and had tea for the night...darn its bloody cold.
Saturday...Woke up out of my cosey sleeping bag to snow falling, just a light flurry though and it wasnt sticking...did I say it was cold, well I'll say it again, brrrrrrr !! A beans on toast breakfast with a nice up of tea (or three), warmed me up about 0.1 degree.
Warm Up3rd quickest, bike felt good, was definateley quicker now.
1st race - 7thA few races before our race a massive engine blow up put oil down, so they washed the track as there was so much oil down, but of course this put water down which wasnt going to evaporate anytime soon. At least it was no longer snowing, just a nice arctic wind to chill the body.
The hairpin was really slippy, even upright the back end would step out and a few lads came off. Not nice conditions to race in and a pretty lonely race as I was a second and half behind 6th place but was catching up the group in front.
Dad also commented I wasnt braking as late as I used to on the 600's, too smooth he said !
2nd race - DNFGot my head in gear for this, there was a dry line (ish) round the hairpin, the rest of the track wasnt too bad but still really cold. Wets for everyone and even then they werent heating up. Was in 5th and got up to 3rd by lap 3, caught the leaders quite easily and was surprised as my bike was only about a bike lenght slower than the SRAD and Aprilia RSV of the 1st and 2nd lads down the straight. This could be it, an air-cooled 2 valver on the podium at least !
Then, as I was along the start finish straight..blurrrrrgggh, then it chimed in again. What the hell was that? Its cured itself now, carry on lad, carry on ! Caught them up again, and a flash thought in my head said 'John, you havent had a shave, your gonna look scruffy on TV, what am I going to say..' strange thoughts.
As I accelerated down the start finish straight that lap, planning my outbraking manouvre going into Paddock the bike died again....yes, the novice mistake of running out of fuel !!
I put my hand up and pulled out...Ive been brought down following a rider of exactly that before so safety first.
2 litres left in the tank, so it was surging to the rear and not reaching the tap at the front..a design flaw i'm afraid.
Pic of braking into the hairpin, stop being wide eyed and go for it lad, you wuss !
We are thinking of adding a second tap now, or just make sure theres enough in next time Dingus !
Donnington Park next, Easter weekend...hopefully it will be dry and sunny and we can find out for sure just how well the bike goes.
Dad has also started to get the bits together for his build now, his will be a 750 version though...I keep telling him to do a full fat 944 one but as he will be in the Classic Club, he isnt too bothered.