Race Reports- Mallory Park 7 July 2002
Race 1 GP250 - Get a good launch but fluff 1st to 2nd change which allows Simon Boddison to sneak past into 1st as we go into Gerrards. As we come out of round Gerrards I am pushed back to 4th as John Lewis and Paul Mumby-Croft come past on the run into the Esses. Hold on to then through the Esses then slip past two of then going into the hairpin. Come out of the bus stop in 2nd but loose the two places on the run into Gerrards. Have great difficulty holding the line through Gerrards and lose contact with the leading 3. I now progress steadily - backwards through the field, as people slowly slip past. On the start of lap 6 I have dropped to 7th then 8th as Pete Lodge comes past. Decide to up the pace a bit to catch Pete close in but not enough to get him before the line. Speed wise there isn't a lot in it, my bike might be a tadge quicker but so much is dependant on corner exit speed it is difficult to say. My riding has been a bit lacklustre and the front is still not inspiring. Lap times were miserable at 58 seconds. Still a row 2 start for the next race so if I can tweak the front should get a better result. Best lap was 54.2, next best was 54.9 slower than my best last year on the KR (must stop remeniscing).
Race 2 F400 - Go out but I can't say I am on fire and keen. Get another good start and lead round Gerrards before losing ground at the Esses I am braking way earlier than anybody else and am slow around that corner, front doesn't give me the confidence to push really hard. It is ok going into the hairpin and I gain a bit of ground. By the end of the lap I am in fourth then lose a place on the 3rd, 4th and 5th laps. Pete Lodge came past somewhere and I think I followed him round Gerrards before we ran side by side into the Esses, I am on the inside but though I brake fairly late I don't take him. Pete however, leaves it too late on the brakes and runs wide through the first part of the Esses and loses drive on the way out. I repass him on the run up to the hairpin and hold him off to the line. Lap times are a fraction better but still painfully slow. Best was 56.95 over two seconds off last years pace (there I go again). Richard Welch won followed home by Stuart Bedford. The Championship is swinging in Stuarts favour as Dan Williams didn't get out as about 7th reserve. I get 7th, Pete Lodge was 8th. Richard Saunders came from the back of the grid to finish 3rd KR, with Chris Matthews, coming upto speed, as 4th KR ahead of John Buchan and Brian Mattock (Mark Brown's trick ignition gave up the ghost and his bike refused to fire up). We then had Mr P, Ian and Michelle. My front end is getting worse the harder I push - decide that is enough messing about and I am going to put it all back to last years standard set-up. Only consolation is I know I was riding well below my limit - but Pete Lodge was close to his. I suppose this is where the on board video does give an advantage as you can see what those behind are up to. More on this later in the 2nd F400 race. Don't skip forward carry on reading.
Race 3 GP250 - Not a lot to report launched well, went round slowly slipping back. race finished. Not a lot to report. Will check video to see if I can remember any more. Lap times in the 57 second bracket.
Race 4 F400 - Get a good start and slot into 4th am trying a bit harder and manage to hold my place for the first lap. As we come out of the bus stop it feels like the front end is about to fall off, back off a bit and check axel and various bolts to see what is going on. Yokes don't look straight and I might have twisted the front as I yanked it through the bus stop, it had lifted the front wheel at that point. I back right off until I am suprised as Richard Saunders comes past me ( the first KR and two stroke). At this point I think bugger this and set off in pursuit. I have given Richard a 50 yard head start and manage to close the gap down to about 20 before he pulls away again. My bike is definitely no quicker and I am not riding as well so I just slip back. I expect to see Pete lodge and the rest come streaming past but nobody else gets through before I cross the line. The race is red flagged just after I cross the line. Best lap was 57 something and I finished 11th overall 2nd KR behind Richard who came in 9th. Just behind me was Chris followed by Brian , Mr P and Michelle - Ian's bike expired? Didn't find out until I got back in the pits that the race was red flagged because of Pete Lodge and John Buchan coming together going into the Bus stop. Assuming they were behind me check the video to see what had happened. As it looked particularly nasty went looking for Pete to find outwhat had happened. Very suprised to see him ruefully examining his helmet but otherwise appearing ok (thankfully). John Buchan in the mean time was shipped off to Leicester General for X-rays. He had landed on his hip and they were just being careful. Hear later he is probably just bruised. Get an e-mail from Mark Brown - not so good for John, turns out it is a broken pelvis and a couple of bust ribs . He will be out of action for the rest of the season. Chris is 'Happy as Larry'. Mr P was very happy with his tyres the Rennesports sticking like the proverbial... and not moving at all. His problem is now the rear end which is bottoming out - he was slower than when out in the Wednesday practice. With Colin out, Mark Brown not riding and Pete Lodge and John Buchan falling out of the last race I have moved up a place and closed the gap a little on the leaders. Pete now has a twenty point advantage over Colin which is going to be difficult to close. Richard Saunders was flying and the win will help his confidence no end. We have now had 4 different winners this year and may yet get more. Not sure how Chris will do at Cadwell as it is a much more difficult circuit than Mallory. But if he goes as well as he did at Mallory he will be giving some of the established players a run for their money (Watch out Mr Lodge and Mr Sleigh, Little Fish has already taken Team T3's scalps). He was particularly chuffed at having tracked down Phil Bedford Pphil was a faller in the last F400 along with Dan Williams who managed to get a ride) who lapped him at Angelsey. Me I am not over the moon, bike was better but still not up to scratch. It might be me, but while I think it is the front that is causing the problems I am not going to push - I also have little incentive as all the championships are now history. Will use the rest of the season as testing and see if I can get back on the pace. To start with prior to Cadwell I will swop everything back to last years spec as I know the machine then was capable of running at a pace that won races and set fastest laps. Having fixed that I will try and fix the rider but that might not be as easy - am I past it?
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