So, What can i say about the weekend, i was riding on board an almost standard Yamaha R6 2008 machine, prepared by Len Manchester Motorcycles. This was due to my split from Colchester Kawasaki which was announced last week on my site.

So it was back to learning a new bike for me, and Free practice 1 was just the time to do it. I went out, just to get used to the bike and be consistent. I really enjoyed riding, and the bike felt brilliant, i popped in a load of consistent laps during the session, and although they were not lap record pace, i was very comfortable and could have definately improved.

With only 1 practice session, it was difficult to set the bike up properly, the gearing was out and the suspension needed a little tweeking. So overnight, i went around the paddock to ask some big teams what they would recommend, so that we could find a good base setting for the weekend ahead.

Qualifying 1
Come Saturday morning, and typical English weather - Rain! I was really annoyed because i needed to test the dry settings. On the other side of things, i had never been on wets on a 600 before, so it was a good learning curve for me. Qualifying seemed to fly by. I stayed out virtually all of the session, and i was chopping ang changing around 20th position throughout the whole session. I managed to put some good laps together, and ended in a very respectable 21st position.

Qualifying 2
As it was raining all through Q1, i didnt think it could get much worse for Q2, but boy was i wrong! Just before we were due to be out on track, the heavens opened and the track was saturated - again! I decided to keep the same wets on, as they were already 'bedded in' and were ready to put some fast laps in. I stayed out most of the session, and i was getting stuck in traffic on almost every lap. And when i got a clear road, i made a few mistakes. I made the decision to pull into the pits, as which time i had qualified 43rd, which would mean i would not qualify for the race. I stayed in the pits for a few minutes before making a few minor changes to suspension, and heading out on track again. The bike immediately felt better, in fact, my outlap was as quick as any lap i had done previously in the session! I managed to get two consistent laps in, and i saw the 3 minute board and knew i would have two more laps. So i backed off for the lap in the hopes of putting a good next lap in. I came over the line ready for a faster lap, and the chequered flag came out just as i was crossing. I was gutted, because i knew i could go quicker. I ended the session in 19th position, which was where i qualified for the grid.

Warmup
Not alot to say about warmup, except that the track was dry and the sun was poking through the cloud! I put old dry tyres on, with the dry settings we put into the bike on Friday evening. I stayed out the whole session and loved every minute of it, the bike was smooth and hardly ever went out of shape, everything came together and it seemed effortless. I came back to the pits to find i was 6th overall!

Race
Although a little late in the day, the race was dry and there were no signs of rain. I got a fantastic start to go around the first corner in 15th. But then i went backwards to 20th on the first lap, and i could'nt get comfortable on the bike, but then, a few laps in, things started getting better, and while lying in 17th, i was able to put some really quick times in. It was like someone had flipped a switch, suddenly i felt more confident on the bike and was able to push harder. I made a few hard passes on people and gained as many places as i could. By the 8th lap, i was in 11th, and then on the 9th i went over in 8th position. I was getting quicker and quicker and i was feeling more and more at home on the bike. Then coming out of the complex, Dan Smith had a huge highside which caused the race to be stopped. I was gutted because i knew i could have gone a little quicker should the race have carried on. I came home in an excellent 8th position overall.

Summary
Looking back on the weekend, i believe i definately made the right decision to switch to Yamaha, i immediately felt at home on the bike and learned various new settings i didnt even know existed! I also learned the amazing grip that wet tyres can give. The race result came as a complete shock to me, as i didnt really think i could be fighting this far up the field in such an early stage of the season. I will definately be in the gym training hard for my home round at Oulton. Where i hope to take my maiden victory in the class! Roll on Oulton!!!

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