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Snetterton
11th & 12th October 2003
Click here for Snetterton track layout Most of the rounds this season have been on a Saturday, with an official practice day on a Friday. However on this weekend the championship I am competing in was on the Sunday, with BEMSEEs other championship on Saturday. This meant that if I were to do the official practice I would have to wait around a day. Andrew suggested that instead of doing the practice that we could enter the Saturday event and use that as our practice. This made sense so I phoned up and put my entry in for this event too. Saturday
Morning Practice Well as usual we get a practice session in the morning,
this was to be my first time on the race bike for a month. I have found
this season that where the rounds have been few and far between it is a really
steep learning curve when I first get back on the bike, hence doing practice
days to get up to speed (pun intended). I have also been getting my
confidence back slowly but surely, regaining trust in the bike, the tyres and
myself. There was no 'slide' in the Michelins I was using, they either gripped
or you were on you behind! The movement I get from the Pirellis, which because
of my experiences with the Michelins first unnerved me, is just the Pirellis
communicating with me and not a sign that I am coming off!! Now I can feel
the bike move beneath me and not worry too much, just like when I used to run
the Dunlop’s, the magic word ‘feedback’. An uncontrollable factor that is always a concern is the
weather, this year I have been really lucky and pretty much all events have been
dry. There is noting worse that running on a damp track, it is too dry for
wets and too wet for drys. You are in no-mans land (not allowed proper inters
under FIM supersport regs). As my confidence has been growing I didn’t
want any such variables in the pot to mess things (my head) up. To my
pleasure I seemed to be blessed with what looked to be a glorious day (for this
time of year). So track condition was not an issue. My best recorded time ever at Snetterton is a 1:14.69, I
have struggled to get 1:16/17s the couple of times I have been there this
season, finding it hard to be consistently under 1:19s even. To my
surprise after only a couple of laps I was in the 1:19s and by the end of the
session I had got a high 1:18. That is a promising start bearing in mind
the layoff and that practice is only about 5 laps. At 1:18s I’d not be that
far off the mark and hoped come race time they’d fall further.
Definitely the fastest (pardon that pun) I have got ‘up to speed’ this year. Sat Race1 Supersport 600
Start 21st Row 6 Now this was a bit gutting actually, I actually expected
to be near the back of the pack as this is the first round I had entered of this
series, bearing in mind in my championship I have been generally drawing
positions from 30-38th every time. Therefore being 21st was actually a bit
annoying, I had a half decent start position (as things go) and yet I didn’t
care about this championship and this was supposed to be practice for me ...
starting on the back row would have been fine!! Set off on the warm-up lap and the oil flags were out at
Russel’s. This is the chicane after the fast Corams and it leads onto
the start finish straight. Someone had evidently come off in a previous
race and dropped a fat line of oil right from the apex where you 'flop' over to
the left all the way across the track to the edge. It had obviously now
been covered with powder by the marshals, but you could still see the oil line
there. Now remember on my last visit to Snetterton I highsided on the exit
of Russel’s, so I was a bit timid there anyhow, and at the best of times it is
a classic place to loose the front on the entry. Oil at this point isn't
exactly what you want! So made a mental note to take Russel’s easy until
I case it out. Got away pretty well, about holding my own into turn 1
(Riches) although plenty of bikes about things seemed less manic than normal
(than in my championship SS6 races) with no real wild swerving going on, just
people jostling for position, but not so erratically. After a few laps
things settled down as they spread out and I started to get dialled in, making a
few passes here and there, definitely being strong into Riches and making lots
of time there. I usually take Russels chicane in 2nd and this is about
right, but due to there being oil mid corner, I didn't want to go in there as
hot with the front too loaded, hence going in slower than normal. This now
meant that I was bogging down on the exit. On lap 2 I tried using 1st, but
to be honest 1st was way too low. When I hooked up the front rose on the
power, to counter this I leant right forward and short shifted to second, the
front was still aloft, but I didn't have to back off, so still getting
reasonable drive. Looked good too so I am told :) I decided after this that 1st
wasn't the way to go however as it unsettled the rear on entry and is too fickle
on the exit, so just stuck with 2nd and slipped the clutch a little if
necessary. Laptimes were coming down passing a few people if/when
possible as the race continued and I got a 1:16.07. Crossed the line 18th Happy with that bearing in mind that this was essentially
practice and most importantly I felt at ease on the bike, which generally I
haven't of late until I have had quite a few laps under my belt, often taking
until the end of the race day to really get stuck in (by which time it is all
too late!!). I felt I was smooth and pushing/working the bike well, but
still within myself. Places I could improve on was into the Esses at the
end of the backstraight (I was braking too early) and into Russels chicane. Sat Race 2 Supersport 600
Start 18th row 5 Noticed on the warm-up lap that the powder/oil down in
the chicane now had a definite 'swept' line, but you rally didn't want to go out
of this and I could still see the oil there too. So surmised perhaps 70%
in there to start with as opposed to the 40-50% in the previous race. A bit more disappointing start here, but not too bad
either. My horsepower deficit was rally starting to show down the backstraight,
getting overtaken by 3 or so bikes on one occasion. Once things settled
down I got stuck in and took a few of those places back, generally making my
time at Riches and out from the Esses and hard through the bomb hole then
driving round to Coram, where I would go round the outside. This is a very
fast long sweeping corner, that I used to not particularly like, even slightly
fear it, so me even attempting to go round the outside here was a good sign that
I was getting confidence in my tyres/self back. I noticed an interesting phenomenon too, I could actually
tell when someone was in tow down the backstraight because my screen would start
to shake/vibrate. Soon after I could start to hear the pursuers intake noise,
the sun was getting low too, so there was quite a shadow. I could see
which side the pursuer was moving; so would gently drift over to block them ...
they would then chop back and I could see the shadow move, so I’d drift back
blocking their pass again. I used this tactic a few times, but one in particular
comes to mind, same routine ... they’d try the pass on the LHS, I’d pull
over ... then they’d pull right, so would I ... now at this stage most seemed
to bail out as we were near the end of the straight ... but oh no not this guy,
he had backed off slightly but was still coming .... I gently squeezed and
squeezed him right until there was only just enough room for him to keep on the
black stuff ... but he wasn't conceding ... his front wheel was moving into my
peripheral now, so things were tight. Now remember this is Snetterton
backstraight and we are doing about 165mph at this point. Admittedly I was
not going to squeeze him out totally as I wouldn't do that, but he wasn't to
know that!! Staying committed 2" from my side, running the risk being
run off the track at 165mph ... he must have ‘rocks’ the size of
footballs!!!! I had stopped squeezing now but also not opening up,
there was no way his bars could pass mine without contact or him running off the
track, so he couldn’t get passed we were nearing the braking zone. I had
the line and was going to brake as late as possible. I know I can make it
from the 200 yard marker, but anything after that is a lottery, and we were
approaching the 200 marker board ... FAST ... we got to it and he was still
coming ... I was about to start braking myself when I saw his front go back (he
had hit the brakes) like I said I was about to brake anyway as soon as I saw him
going back I hit the brakes HARD!!! Made the turn and kept in front,
result! Take that mate, who’s the daddy!?!?! However all this was a bit of a wasted effort as he
passed me on the power about 1/2 way down the start finish straight. (there was
no shadow this direction, so nothing I could do as I had no idea which side he
would attempt). Doh!! Exciting race though and had got my times to mid 1:15s Finished 18th. Sat Race3 Clubman 600
Start 22nd Row 6 Grided up and noticed that Linzi was a couple of rows or
so in front. Right, it was to be my mission to pass her!! On the
warmup lap I noticed that '1-arm bandit' was there too!! both are quick, both I
had to beat!! Now that I wanted a good start, I had a mission. I
actually got a horrible start, dropping a good few places on the opening lap.
But then I buckled down and started to make my way forward. Finding it a
bit difficult as the riders were quite grouped up; I prefer to pick them off one
by one (less variables). Got passed and eventually got 1-arm bandit in my
sights, again impressed with how fast this bloke is, but did get passed with
little fuss. Then a few places in front of him was little Linzi, I had her
in sight, really buckled down now, caught and overtook round the outside at
Coram. She then got alongside me near the end of the start finish, as I
said I was strong in here and left my braking late ... she was alongside me on
the inside, so offline, but in the way ... I left the brakes really late but had
got my marker and hit the brakes. Hit the brakes too but seeing what line
she was on and how late I had left it, I was pretty sure she would go wide ...
so I over braked slightly to allow room for error, she did indeed go wide and
started pushing me wide, so I just let it run a bit to clear her back wheel then
made the 'switchback' and hooked up passing her on the inside. I shook my
head at here as she had made a rit' mess of that (potentially could have taken
me out too). I then proceeded to mess Sears up, I was furious with
myself especially as I had made a bit of a show by shaking my head ... I bashed
the tank in disgust with myself but powered up. Come 1/2 way down the
backstraight my screen started shaking ... I know who that is it though!!!
The sun was even lower now and I used the shadows again to block her in the same
way I had the others. But even after doubling back to the right, she switched
back left again and made the block pass. I got her again out of the
Bombhole/round Corams and made enough room on top keep her at bay into Riches,
therefore got a full pelt run at/through it and this would have given me enough
to break free of her grasp. In the last few laps a few others tried to
have a ‘nibble’, but I rode defensive lines there on in and held it. Finished 16th with 1:15.11 but most importantly (to me)
even after the poor start, finished in front of Linzi!! (well there were 4 bikes
between us by the end looking at the results) I had hardly been a gentleman, and
I don't think I will be on her Christmas card or dating list, but hey!!! Saturday summeryThis is more like it recognising people out there …
setting myself goals and buckling down until I achieve them, I have missed that
element this season and I am sure that has impeded my progress/recovery as you
need that focus to go the 10/10ths. Overall I had had a good day and part of me wanted to go
home there and then so I could finish on a high. But heay Sunday here we
come! Sunday 12th (KoC round)
The day again was set to be dry, but it was cloudier and
cooler, with a chilly wind blowing. But it hadn’t rained overnight and
being in mind what time of year this was, I was pretty pleased! Morning Practice Well for some reason a 1:19 was the best I could muster,
but to be honest I never got a 100% clear run and I knew that things would
hopefully pick up later on once I had woken up, track temperature was cooler
than the day before too. Race 1 Supersport 600
Start 32nd row 8 Yep now back in my championship I had drawn a placing
back on the 8th row!! For flox sake!!! Got a reasonable start but took a bit of a while to
settle in, but the last 3 laps or so I was back in the 1:15s, but again noticing
how much I was loosing out on horsepower. Race2 Clubman 600
Start 6th row 2 Now I was pretty pleased they had scheduled the Clubman
race nearer the middle of the day as usually Clubman 600 is the last race of the
day. That can be a real pain as things are getting dark and tiredness is
really playing a part. 6th on the grid and I knew a good start was
imperative as I would struggle to make up any lost ground up the front of this
pack. On the warm-up lap there were oil flags out at turn 1 (Riches) ..... In the previous race someone had evidently dumped oil
right on the racing line all round Riches, right from where you turn in all the
way to the first apex. The entry to Riches is very fast and semi-blind, however
I loved it and from there right the way through to Sear's was/is my strongest
part on the track and I could and had been gaining massively there. My real
trump card you could say. A card I had been using to great effect all w/e.
However with that much oil/powder down crossing or very close to my line I
couldn't go in fully committed and therefore lost my main advantage because of
it. My other strong section had proved to be through the Bombhole and round
Coram but without Riches I was gonna struggle to make up elsewhere for my BHP
deficit down the straights. However on the warmup lap I had noticed there was a nice
little (~10”) gap between the oil and the inner kerb. I could use that on the
opening lap when there is the big halt and jostle, it would be of no use after
that though as you take a totally different line into there on a flying lap.
I figured if I aimed for this then I could make good at the start. The race started and I headed for my clear patch …
unfortunately someone out dragged me and was alongside, so I couldn’t get on
line. I had to concede else I’d have run right across the oil patch/line, I
therefore lost my momentum and suffered for this that at Riches and consequently
at Sears, also that effected the drive down the backstraight … it was a
disaster … by the time we got 2/3 of the way down he backstraight the Red
flags were out. So we all slowed up. There had been an incident at
Riches where 3 or 4 bikes had gone down (probably on the oil/powder!!??). On one hand I was quite pleased I’d get a second go at
the start/opening lap, but as it was a big accident (i.e. lots of bikes
involved) it took a good 10mins or so to clear ... remember it was cold wind ...
that means cold rubber ... noggin knows this. So although we get a warmup lap this is never gonna be
enough for stone cold tyres, especially at a place like Snetterton. I tried to
put to back of mind and figured ‘hey we are all in the same boat’, but I
have been on my behind enough due to cold tyres and that concern was still there
for first lap or two. So the combined problem of cold tyres (noggin) and masses
of oil down on my strongest part of the track kinda knackered it!!!, Lost quite a few places on the opening lap or so but
tried to stay in touch, once I got confidence in the tyres I did make one or two
of these back. I was bound to struggle though as one of my strongest places had
been spoiled. It was very disconcerting to see the powder ‘dust’ fly as
people in front picked it up when they passed. Firstly it is as if someone is
going down and secondly it was almost like riding through a puff of smoke so you
can’t pick your line accurately. Had a battle with a few different people at the end of
the backstraight, employing my ‘wandering’ technique, a couple did pass but
I’d generally got them back round Coram. One guy passed down the start finish as we entered the
final lap, I planned my attack for Corams. He got some room on me down the
backstraight, but I closed up on the brakes and round The Esses, I then needed
to hold back a little, with the intention to carry more speed through and get
the slingshot out of the bomb hole. He actually went through there pretty
strong, but I still made a little ground on him. I then started to execute
my move round Corum, but as I got alongside he saw me and purposely moved wider
… and wider … I didn’t have enough momentum to make it before he closed me
off completely so I conceded. Hey fair game, I had been doing the same
sort of thing down the backstaright!!! Crossed the line in a lowly 10th. A bit miffed
really. However I didn't really do anything wrong and felt I was
stronger into 'The Esses' than I had been all w/e, this probably made up the
deficit I was suffering at Riches. So in short, that was the best I could do,
just circumstance again really working against me!!. Did have some good battles
where I was overtaken and took back though so not a bad race if you excuse the
actual position. Fastest lap 1:15.09 Sunday Race3 Supersport 600
Start 37th row 10 Now I had finished the AM race in 23rd, so should be
starting from that position in the second race. I arrived at the
collecting area and was told I was 37th on the grid … a bit confused but went
in and I lined up in the collecting area … after a bit of pondering I rode
back and checked they had got my number/position correct. On their sheet
it did say no 65 pos 37. There had obviously been a mess-up at the office
where they sort the girds. This is the second time this has happened to me
this season, the other being at Oulton, some other jammy sod who presumably got
a DNF in race 1 has been inheriting my grid positions when hey should be at the
back! Lined up on the grid and to make it even worse an entire
row in front of me (Row 9) was empty, and no one either side of me … I was
last man on the grid in the middle of nowhere!!! There were a few other places
up ahead that weren’t filled either. I was not a happy bunny. I was so far back that I couldn’t see the flag man,
first thing I knew about the race about to start was when every one was lurching
forward and clicking in gear .. I presumed we were about to go so did the same
… by the time I had selected the gear, got the revs up to 8k and looked up,
the lights were green!!! (I had noticed the lights had been very quick all w/e). Someone up front missed a gear, I had to swerve to avoid
hitting them, got round Riches (the oil/powder had been largely swept by now)
and when on the brakes into Sears, noticed one bloke go down about 15 bikes in
front … thankfully (for him) no one collected him, but a bloke a few bikes
further back went down on what was presumably his oil. The race was soon
red flagged. Another 5 min wait and we were off. Yeay cold
tyres!! … I have to say I was a bit despondent by now. Again had to
judge my start by others actions, but got to see the lights go green this time.
Launched away and made a few places into Riches, another into Sears. Only
to get smoked down the back straight. After a few laps I started to get dialled in and enjoy
myself, got the lap times down to a respectable level and made some forward
progress. Employed a few of my ‘wandering’ moves and a few
passes round Coram. Crossed the line in 17th. Which I have to say I am
surprised was that high especially as my best time was only a 1:16. I think it
helped that the grid wasn’t that full and a few crashed out. Still made
quite a few finishers places forward from my start pos though. Summery
Sunday had been a pretty bad day for circumstance ....
but I had stayed on and overall I look on the weekend in a positive light.
This is the closest I have felt to being ‘confident Nick’ all season, the
laptimes are in spitting distance of my best too and yet I still feel I am not
‘pushing it’ so have more to come (although sometimes if you try too hard
you go slower). After the rocky start to the year, my goal was then
realistically to get back to the level I was before my Mallory incident in 02.
I finally feel I am almost there, everything is becoming natural and relaxed
again, I am enjoying ‘working’ the bike and not in constant fear it is going
to ‘let go’ on me unexpectedly, I am remembering why I love riding bikes
fast and competitively again. To be honest with these events my whole attitude is
starting to change, I am getting much more positive and believing in myself
again, really beginning to climb out of this mental hole I have dug for myself.
I just need positive ‘vibes’ and some good circumstances/luck to continue
the healing, I am trying to block out as much negativity as possible. Hopefully Brands will go without hitch in a couple of
weeks so I can finish the year on a high. Then I can re-group and attack 2004
with full vengeance. I have had a few thoughts about 2004 already, considering
changing class, possibly getting an Aprilia RSV 1000 R Mille. Then I can
enter the MRO Mille challenge, where you are not allowed to modify the bike
much, so gives it a level playing field i.e. not having to battle with a massive
money/machine disadvantage. I can also do BEMSEE Supertwins and Powerbikes on
it, which is what Andrew will be competing in. My other option is getting
a fat loan out (a slippery slope!!) and throwing a few k at the motor to make my
R6 more competitive. I am favouring this at the moment as I love the R6
and enjoyed riding it at the w/e and it is what I am used to. Also one fear of going the Mille route is that I dunno
how quickly I would convert to a v-twin and I don’t want to waste of a whole
season trying/finding out. Also I would have to buy a cheaper 2nd hand
Mille, so I am thinking ‘better the devil you know’ and all that thus favoring
the sticking with the R6 option at the mo. I am bound to change my mind again a few times.
Lets see how Brands goes first!!!
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