Free Practice
Having tested at the circuit previously, we thought we had the bike setup quite well for the circuit, but things didn’t feel the same and I needed to make a few little changes to help me improve. My lap times were getting better and better I was feeling very comfortable on the bike. We made a few changed mid session so that we could get the bike to its best. But I didn’t feel 100% comfortable on the bike. I was having slides everywhere and struggling to keep the bike the right side up at some places. Still, I ended in a healthy 3rd position.

Qualifying 1
Having made a few major changes, we knew we were taking a gamble, and as Sunday was forcast wet, we had to use qualifying one as the final qualifying! I stayed out for most of the session, and I was lying around 10th position. I needed to go quicker but I just didn’t feel good on the bike. With only a few minutes to go, I pulled into the pits to make a few changes to the bike. I then set out for the final 4 minutes of the session, the bike was feeling better and I was more confident, but I was really struggling with traffic, I couldn’t get a clear lap. Having crossed the line with a few seconds remaining, I had only one lap to get to the front of the grid. I made a few passes and managed to get a reasonably clear lap until Melbourne hairpin, I was stuck behind a few riders which slowed me down slightly. I crossed the line not thinking I had improved in time, however I got up to a brilliant 2nd position on the grid. It was great to know I could do the times in traffic.

Qualifying 2
As the forecast said, down came the rain. I didn’t need to go out in the session, but I wanted to because I haven’t done much wet testing. I stayed out for the whole session and managed to put some very consistent and fast lap times in. The bike was feeling brilliant on the slippery Donington surface, I completed almost a full race distance and managed to get 2nd position. Obviously this didn’t matter as the grid was decided on QP1. Still, I gained some great experience on wets, and knew that I was competitive in either wet or dry conditions.

Race
I got a reasonable start in the race and managed to get 2nd in the first corner. I was following AJ Venter, who was the pole sitter and he was very strong around the track. I was about to launch an attack and then the race was stopped due to a collision at Melbourne Hairpin.
In the second part, I got a better start but only managed 3rd position into Redgate. I was confident and very comfortable at the pace that was set. Eventually I took the lead with a hard move on AJ into McCleans. I then tried to get my head down and bridge a gap. But AJ Venter and Lee Johnston were too strong and I couldn’t pull away. I was making mistakes left right and centre and the bike was really unsettled into the hard braking corners. I knew that I wasn’t going to pull away so it was just a case of riding defensively. I made a huge mistake and over shot the hairpin on the penultimate lap, which allowed Lee to take the lead.
Knowing that I only had one lap left, I had to make a drastic move into the old hairpin which somehow stuck! I then did the lap of my life and tried to keep the lead. Knowing that I wasn’t as strong as AJ and Lee around the Melbourne loop. I rode a defensive line and also took the corners slower so that I could get the punch out of the corners. I managed to hold off any attacks and keep my lead to the finish! What a race! T

Summary
The bike was brilliant and definalty one of the strongest of the 3. Although I wasn’t the fastest rider in the race, I managed to put some consistent laps together which took me to the flag! In a class like this, there is no way that you can break from the field, as all bikes are so alike. Still, it was great to get another race win and trophy for the cabinet. But I need to keep my form in order to fend off the rivals. For now, it’s back to training and looking onto Snetterton in a couple of weeks.

I would just like to say a great big thank you to Steve Booker who gave me some great tips and support over the weekend, and who has kindly agreed to help me throughout 2008. Its great to have him back into racing and to be helping me! Thanks Steve!

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