Right - so guess I got to put my money where my mouth is. Next year I plan to do the no limits series. Ill update this and each meet report as I go... But this is for Gary! He loves the finer details.
Race 1 report 29/30 March - Snetterton Well I knew racing was going to be a bit of emotional roller coaster, but it’s bloody hard work and really is a high and low full on weekend and this one certainly had its twist and turns on both me and Jase. Still sat here buzzing so sorry if this bores you all to tears lol Week before saw me pretty well sorted, until my new van burst an oil leak which meant getting a hire one sorted as no time to get fixed – balls!! Finished work thur night at 8pm, home, changed, see my mum (I’m a good boy and would be missing mothers day!) home by midnight, load van, bed at 1.15am up at 4.30 am 2 hour drive to snet – I was shattered, and still had a few tweaks to sort on my bike, like get it sorted for scrutineering lol Test Day – through briefing and was a real buzz about the place, everyone checking out everyone’s set ups etc and bumping in to faces I met on ACU day, time to get out on track and “size up” the opposition…. Suit up, and off we go, we pull half way out of pit lane and jase’s hand goes up – bike issues again which I won’t go into as I’m still gutted for him but long and short was he spent all of Fri and some of Sat with help from Dave trying to get the bike sorted, believe me, it was blood sweat and nearly tears by many… gutted mate, but soon be Cadwell. The lows hey… Well I got out and was running well, getting past more than getting me and was happy with the bike… putting in what I thought were fast laps and way under the 2.10 TD benchmark I set a week or so ago. Bring on Qualifying... Qualifying – Balls!!! I thought I was flying, really thought top five as couldn’t see many quicker…. And thought I’d upped my pace from TD big style…. Lesson number 1, talking times doesn’t count, Transponders do not lie…. I’d qualified 11 / 42 with a mid 2.07. I thought I’d gone 2.05. time to man up. Race 1 – Can’t say I was overly nervous, ignorance is bliss…. Just wanted to get away and not swallowed up, it didn’t happen, was down 4/5 places by corner 2 and 17th lap one . All I could think of was tyke telling me they take no prisoners, he was right! Settled down and picked few places off and back to 13th lap 2, was going well and carrying good corner speed but bike was lacking a bit on straights (standard gearing – job to sort during the weekend) but was back up to around 10th I think when I nearly rear ended someone in Hamilton and hit the grass about 80 odd mph I guess (previous grass tracks haven’t ended well) so get back on and try and get the 4/5 places I’ve lost again. Job done, try and reel in the next pack, going well, get a run on someone onto straight, move right and a bike in front I couldn’t see before had conked out and was rolling to a stop – honestly thought I was going to rear end him but just missed him at about 100mph and we clashed elbows / knees as I skimmed through on full chat…. This racing stuff is lively….. another grass track this time my fault saw me lose more places back to 17th to gain a few back and eventually finish 13th (lucky for me this time as they were 3 BIG moments)…. however I was pleased as I’d managed a 2.05 so had to take the positives and Q’d higher up the grid at 8th for next race. Race 2 – Again despite my best efforts, lost loads of places 1st two corners, but settled down, found my rythm and reeled in the pack to take pick a few of them off to come round in 10th lap 1, we’d sorted my gearing now which was awesome as I wasn’t getting blitzed on the straights, meant I could keep up, and give myself more places to size up a pass instead of only the big sweeping corners where I was finding good times on the guys around me. Think I made up around 7 places from my poor start and battled with some lads to finish 7th ! Just in behind P6! In my mind, this was my first RACE, the one before was survival lol…. I must say, as I finished I was a little chocked up and not too shy to say, quite proud of myself that id finally managed to achieve something I’ve wanted to have a bash at for quite some time!! Sunday Qualifying – The lows… not paying attention meant I was slow to the holding pen, and about 25 bikes got out in front, couldn’t get a lap together, and posted my Q time of 2.09 – 4.5 secs of my best yesterday. 14th on the grid and now back in the “interesting” part of the grid for race start…. Race 3 – I needed to address the start, I wasn’t struggling with the pull away, just the “take no prisoners” approach to first corners, so this time I manned up, went inside, took a few places, came across, closed the door the other side and took a couple more onto 2nd hairpin – game on! this was a 10 lapper so knew it’s be a tough one, tried to take my time, settle in and build on it. Was lying 9th after lap 1 and a couple of bikes in front, which I’d managed to claw back and had some great battles changing the lead between three of us for a couple of laps. What I didn’t know was some guy was stalking me as I hit traffic, got through the two kwaks I was chasing and run me on the last lap to within 0.03 of a second over the line, that’s close at about 150mph lol – we didn’t know who had taken it, but was shaking hands all the way round and laughing big time in Park Ferme about it. Turns out I’d pipped him to 5th and put in a PB of 2.03 on lap 10… but I really did throw everything I had at that race, I was goosed. But looking at the times now I’d dropped 7 secs off my first lap times in previous races, makes all the difference! Race 4 – Was some big accidents in the morning, I was sore, and not feeling it tbh, can’t believe I was thinking it but was so pleased with how it’d gone I was 50/50 on packing up and calling it a day…. I knew folk were either ambitious or tired, not a great combination and I didn’t want to end the day with a broken me or bike! Anyway, I went out – fcuk it, whats the worst that could happen…. Got an ok start, and despite my efforts couldn’t catch 8th & 7th… thought I’d bring home the bike as had a fair old gap and happy with my lot, only to get mugged off on the last lap by a lovely bloke called Alan who I met on the ACU who made 2.5 secs on me in the last lap. Another lesson learnt… the guy behind has never given up! lol… I’d like to say I wasn’t bothered but I was. See you at Cadwell Alan aka #121…. So all in all an amazing weekend. So sorry for Jase as he has helped me to get “slightly organised” over the last few months to only suffer problems at the meet, a massive thanks to Dave V who has put in so much time to help get the bike ready and also gave up his weekend for me (and to drink beer) to realise a life’s dream - I honestly wouldn’t of made the grid if it wasn’t to him so this weekend was all because of him tbh. Cheers mate. Barney for driving all that way to take some awesome pics to capture the weekend and have a crack with the lads, top top top effort mate Seen here http://1000rr.co.uk/pictures-videos/17215.htm Navvy and Joe for popping along and bringing stuff in to help Jase, and Abv aka rick for being my first paying spectator lol… sorry dude Also for all the texts and messages on here wishing us well, as Robin says, it really does help!! Sorry to waffle on, (if you’re still reading) but I’m still buzzing…. Next ones won’t be as long I promise!! Lol if anyone is interested, here are the times, the live timing that wedge put up was awesome - my lot at home loved it - cheers dude!! http://www.tsl-timing.com/nolimits/2014/141377nl1.pdf
Race 2 report No limits race dates! 26/27 April - Cadwell Park Round 2 - didn't happen - poxy motha fcuking van!!
Race 3 report 17/18 May - Donington Park Well all I can say, is WOW…. What a weekend, great weather, great company and brilliant racing, really have fallen in love with Donny. Firstly though, quick thanks to Dave V for helping me out all weekend with the bike, takes huge pressure off me knowing he’s got my back on the bike front, legend dude!! And for Barney for once again giving up his weekend and driving to and throw to Donny both days to take pics of us lot, I’ll thank him every time he does it as we all appreciate it so much. Was also brilliant everyone coming to watch and cheer us on, not only was it great to catch up and have the crack, but it really does help get you motivated for the next race when you are feeling it. Was a mixed weekend for me results wise, but my times improved hugely again which is good. As that was always the plan originally when I started this year – learn tracks and get quicker. I’ll TRY and keep this brief….. but sorry if I bore you all to tears…… Day 1 – As Jase said, we did a TD on Tuesday to learn track but was mixed conditions so only 2 dry session so we entered in the NL Cup (class above us) on sat to get more track time as the Newcomers was 1 race Sat 3 races Sunday. Qualifying – was terrible, went out got stuck in pack, every time I backed off to get a gap to attack more came through, was the hardest session I done all weekend ended up red faced, dripping buckets, pissed off and not happy, 1.47 and in 21st place – bollox. Qualifying NL Cup – empty track, best session all weekend for learning, really got in a rhythm, thought I was flying, 1.45 I think but thought I was going better, hey ho, 16th out of 25th so not the end of the world. Race 1 – New Comers, got a good start, the snet swallow ups I was getting have gone and I’m making a few places 1st corner, had some great battles and picked my way through the pack to get a 9th from 21st, felt good on bike but little tired but 9 laps round Donny is never going to be easy in that heat! Pleased enough, just need to sort out qualifying as I was well within top 10 (not top 3 who are rapid) pace. Hit a 1.42.3 so 5 seconds off q time and came in just behind Cookie 0.2 secs who joined us for the weekend and was going very well and smooth so was good to follow. Had a lunge up him on last corner but he came back on inside and piped me on the line – fair play matey. Loved it Race 1a – NL cup, much the same TBH, great start, few places, settled down and tried to find a rhythm, these lads (mostly club licence) weren’t quicker to be honest, guys at front are same times as new comers (in one case same bloke ha), but slightly less grid and more experienced rider, similar times meant that it felt soooo much safer, every pass made on me and made back seemed clean and fair… I settled down well, relaxed and pushed on getting an 8th which tbh was a little surprised with but well chuffed, was running 6th for 1st few laps but faded a bit towards the end. I’ll be moving up next year bib or no bib as ours is a little whacky races at times – fun, but unpredictable as the lap times vary so much through the grid. Was getting cramps though at end as dehydrated – nothing to do with late night and lots of beers of course. Oops. Day 2 Qualifying – full of beans, not hung over porridge for breakfast and well WATERED (with h2o this time) I felt great, aiming for 1.42 which should easily put me in top 10. Good start and make a couple places and run with the front boys instead of trying to get through the pack and chase the others down was the plan. Got out, rode great, really smooth, linking it all up, came in, yup – cracked it…. nope, 1.45.3 – shite…. Back to 16th…. Race 1 – this wasn’t for the faint hearted, again I got a good start, made a few places and lap 2 safety car came out as there was a big off through craners (think it’s called that) three laps of safety car (this was actually pretty cool 1st time for me tbh) meant this was going to be a 6 lap dust up and knowing cookie was now behind me, I needed to keep on my toes. Car in and off we go, had about four laps picking up a few more spots and then an awesome battle with cookie, he tried the same move on me into hairpin and I came back under, clean as a whistle moves and brilliant fun! We then chased down a guy in front until the back straight, 160mph and the bike blows big time, smoke everywhere and couldn’t see bike in front…. Race was red flagged and we came in. Wasn’t till after I looked at our bikes and lid and was covered in oil you realise how bad it is and what a great job the marshals do. We also both admitted that we didn’t back off despite not being able to see as we didn’t want to lose our place – stupid I know, but heat of the moment stuff! lol I finished ahead of cookie (about 10th) and with a last lap of 1.41.9 so was well pleased however it wasn’t meant to be – apparently I overtook under safety car, but myself or cookie didn’t recall as he was behind me the whole time and race control were a bit cagey about the whole thing, so 10 sec penalty meant the finished me in 19th! ar$e…. wasn’t happy, even my 1.41.9 didn’t register as they took lap before red flag as last lap – double ar$e…. but we have got the TSL live timing to keep jase quiet lol… but would of also put me 6th on the grid – and I would of loved to of had chance to try and run with the front 2 rows from the start….. Race 2 – not much to write home about, started 14th, had a great battle with my pal Alan who came out on top on this one and came in in 12th. Felt really sore, really tired and didn’t have anything else to give, he clocked me each lap on Melbourne loop and maintained the gap. Lesson learnt, don’t eat too much at lunch as I felt very sluggish. Transponders don’t lie – best lap of 1.44.1 – cookie fecked off in the distance with his newly dialled in shock – he told me what he’d done and then helped me with mine to improve my bike….. that’s class that it. Race 3 – Felt great, best I have all weekend, finally not sore and really up for this one. New tyres on and rear shock dialled in a little and although starting 13th a good start should see me up with the 4th to 8th spot that were all running very similar times. Attack attack attack was the plan…. Cookie was in front of me and went off like a scalded cat – good, I’m having that and off I went behind him, we came onto back straight flying about 6th / 8th, he went passed a guy and I left it late, trying to out brake a guy into foggy S’s but went to hot and ran on as was on the rumbles and could slow down quick enough, turned round, re-joined and came across line in 19th…. grrrr…. Regrouped, settled down and just went for it…. what came was the best race of the weekend and prob most fun I’ve had on track, got through a few guys then could see the pack in front led by cookie…. Bike felt amazing and was getting phenomenal drive from firmer rear and put in some really consistent lap times – best being 1.42.1 on lap 10, also felt stronger on the bike as race went on, 3 laps to go I knew I was catching them but not enough time to get right through, but thought I’d try and close the gap, two laps and I think I might get a couple of em…. 1 lap and the last bike starts to drop off, he’s spent but giving it everything (time sheets show that all of us went quickest on last laps – that’s how hard we were all trying) … I get a better drive out the S’s and know I need to out brake him, leave it as late as possible and brake hard into Melbourne, taking the outer line to square it off and set myself up for the next hairpin and hopefully take the flag….. in my head this was last chance saloon and I wanted that 10th position BAD….. well they say fortune favours the brave, it doesn’t always… I simply asked too much of the front, it tucked in and down I went…. Spinning on my ar$e watching #21 aka mr gixxa aka Benjamin Gibbs head off down to take the flag….. only to jump up, run to bike and try and get it up but clip on had gone…. I hear a massive roar from all the lads, Mrs Cookie, my dad and his pal who were right there on that corner… was a truly special moment and one I won’t forget. Well that’s racing, and I bloody loved it! See you next time Mr Gibbs…. Sorry to go on… but was hand on heart one of the best weekends on a bike ever, the company was ace which really made it and the weather brilliant…. Think me and Jase have made a new racing buddy in Cookie and was gutted for Jase who had bike probs but still had a huge smile on his face. Great weekends racing for all and we are all in one piece – can’t complain at that. Got a few thing to sort out in terms of getting ready for the races as much as in the garage and off the bike in terms of fitness and being a little more prepared, as although I’d doing it for fun, when out there I’m frustrated as I know the guys in front are better prepared so need to give myself more chance to challenge (yes Steve I was listening and thanks for the pointers) end fo the day, it’s a massive amount of money and you want it to be fun, but if you know that by being fit you could go quicker – seems silly not training a little tbh. But all in all happy days – roll on brands. Jimbo#11
Yeah! But you got to pull your finger out Dave. Normally by this time in the year you as team chief would have sorted out some winter testing??? My passport hasn't got any new Spanish stamps on? Wtf!?
Looking good Jimbo, now all we need is a pic of your bike and lid and your number to cheer you on….. go jimbo go jimbo!!!
Will do my best to see you at Anglesey. I am sorry to say though that I draw the line at being brolly dolly.
When he does Cadwell if he goes round Louth the night before wi Dave I predict a DNS. some cracking tracks there Jimbo will see you at Cadwell fella..... ...... ...... ...... we will all go round Louth!!!
Cheers skippy Preferred number would be 11 dude, I'd love to show ya pic of the bike, but tapatalk ain't working. Maybe my crew chief could help!?
