Race Reports


	Race Reports- Cadwell Park 3/4 August 2002
2/8/02	Getting ReadyAfter the failure to perform at Mallory I have thrown in the towel and decided that the bike needs to go back to last years settings. Put the old standard springs in the bike leave oil at 350ml per leg 20ml than normal (will check this and will measure the air gap). Forks have 15mm of chrome showing above the Yoke. Whilst I am doing this I straighten the front end again as it has twisted. Take a long time making sure it is spot on. I also dump the EBC pads and put in a set of Ferodo CP911 black backs (can't get the 901 Red backs any more). I have decided to buy a set of the Rennesports that Mr P used at Mallory as A) they were very sticky, B) They are effectively slicks. Well actually buy a set of 110x17 and 150x17 for Mr P and pinch his 120x17 and 160x17 for me. The tyres he bought were to big for the KR-1S front and RGV rear but are spot on for my 3.5" and 5" rims. Nice of the people at Metzler to do a set in the size to fit the RGV. Decide not to fit the tyres until the day as uncertain about the weather and the KR364 is a good alround tyre wet or dry. Also a bit uncertain how the tyres will behave on a light bike with me on board. Mr P has put in a new set of rings in his + swopped the tyres. Chris's KR we leave as it hasn't done the miles of Mr P so we leave the rings alone. Mine I can't be bothered to change the rings and as the bike is running fine leave it (there is that word can't be bothered - symptomatic of my whole season so far). We are booked in for the trackday at Cadwell on the Friday. Mr P travels up Thursday night. I get stuck in meetings in London and don't get home till late so decide to do a dawn raid Friday morning. Start loading Thursday night and finish of Friday morning. Chris and the girls are with me. Rock, Fish and Jace are due up Friday night. Loopy and family are up Saturday along with Rick and Dave. Sandy is due saturday yo Marshall and Daz + freinds are due Sunday. Tis going to be a very busy weekend. Get to the circuit about 8:30 and unpack at a leisurely pace. realise that we have left tent poles at home so call back to Jace to dig them out. So laid back we miss the first session but as it is a trifle damp not to bothered. Of more concern is no tire man. Colin is also practicing so will be interesting to see how he goes. Spend the first session going slowly to get Chris (first time out) and Paul scrubbing new tyres up to speed. After a couple of laps Paul has gone. Later find out electrical problems sidelined him at the hairpin. Bit of head scratching as to Pauls problem. We suspect the alternator because of previous probs. That looks and checks out ok. Go out for second session with Chris and up the pace to about 1:55. Paul mean time tracks his problem down to a loose connection on the diode block. Chill out over lunch. The weather is holding up only downer is no tyre man. Colin is struggling with the carburation on his bike but going plenty quick when it works. Paul Mumby-Croft is running in an engine on his TZ. Third session I am late out for some reason and wait for Chris and Paul to come round. Signal to Chris to follow me but he blats past, follow him for a couple of laps while the tyres warm up then close up ready to pass him and up the pace. As we go into Park Chris tips in way to early and I think he ain't going to make it. Sure enough straight on to the grass - though to his credit he keeps it up. Shake my head indicate what I think of him and toodle off. Bike is going well but getting a shake just before Coppice. Fourth session get a few laps in before Colin comes past, I have been following Chris so pass Chris and set off after Colin. Out brake myself going into the Mountain section and make a mess off the mountain running up the middle and wheelying off it. I don't do wheelies so next time round knock it on the head. Colin mean time pulls away and Chris goes chasing him. Sit the session out watching how people are going. Chris is down to 1:50 which is very respectable first time out. Mr P is down to 1:52 which again is on the pace. Skip the last session as Mr P had said he saw a tyre man at far side of paddock. Whipped the wheels out and send the Girls and Mr P's mate Pete off to find the tyre man. No tyre man - can't be bothered to put the tyres back in for the last session as Colin has offered to change the tyres for me. He has a bead breaker and compressor. Jolly decent of him. Watch the last session as Chris and Mr P go round. Both riding well. After the session Colin fits the Rennesports for me - will have to try them out tomorrow. Have a chat with Paul about tyre pressures. His mate Andy Whittley (Aprilia Cup champ and 1:36 round Cadwell + wild card GP ride at Donny GP) reckons 31 ft and 28 rear. It is other way round to what I run but what the hell we go for that. While I am fiddling also back off the rebound 1 click back to last years settings (can't compare with standard as it is a different shock - all I can say is it comes back quickly but with a noticable bit of damping). Get the bike scruted then retire to the club house for Beer while Paul and the girls go and get Fish and Chips. Many beers later, fish and Chips + a Barby, Oh and some where in between the beer and the chips Fish, Rock and Jace turn up with the tent and put it up, head off to bed. So much for only having a couple of pints.
3/8/02	Wake up in the morning with this sort of distance about everything. Out in practice 1 and toodle round slowly getting used to the tyres. Bike feels totally different to yesterday. Now tracks like arrow, feels solid - bit like a brand new bike. Not sure if it is tyres, the pressure or the suspension tweak but feels good. Not a lot else to report. Mr P and Chris did their practice sessions with no probs. We are out in Race 6 F400 then 8 GP250. (more to follow)
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This document maintained by mark@teamsparrow.fsnet.co.uk. Material Copyright © 2002 Mark Jordan