Brands GP 29th and 30th May 2004

Overview

Well although over the past few years the boys have visited the Brands Indy circuit a number of times now, the last (and only) time the boys had been to Brands on the full GP circuit was back when they were rookies in 2001.

Back then the boys found the circuit exhilarating ... well that is the polite way of putting it, basically in the morning practice back then, we packed our pants!!

Most of our fellow racers would have probably either been on the practice/trackday the day prior or at least certainly been there since we had last!!! this would potentially put us at a great disadvantage as Brands GP is certainly an 'experience' track. i.e. a track that experience & practice makes one hell of a difference at.

Saturday 30th May 04

Morning practice

Since we had visited it last 'dingle dell', the hillcrest blind chicane had been remodeled and replaced with the still blind 'sheen corner'. To be honest the chicane was taken as a straight line/constant radius corner before anyway, so I wasn't overly worried by the change.

Bearing in mind how frightening Brands GP was the last (and first) time we where here, I had the utmost respect for it. However this time I knew roughly where the track went. The track as a whole made much more sense to me and I settled in pretty quick.

Race 1 SS6 Qualifier

Start 14th

Finish 9th

Yet again there were so many 600s there were two grids full of them. I was in the second qualifier group.

Got away to a reasonable start and to my surprise generally made my way forward/held my own throughout the race.

One of the laps going round Druids I heard/felt the back lift slightly and step out in about 3 small 'hops', it didn't get too out of shape, but evidently something had touched down and began lifting the rear ... not good!!

Bearing in mind it had been ages since the last round and my experience (or lack of it) at this track I was riding more confident than I expected, yet I wouldn't say I was riding anything special. So to finish 9th was a bit of a surprise!! I guess this is more an indication of my competitors lack of experience here (unlike tracks like Brands Indy and Snetterton, which are evidently well trodden!!) so just goes to show what a difference to my finishes this factor makes. AS I have said before, in an ideal world I would send a lot more time on the bike, but circumstances and money dictate I am afraid!!

on inspection the exhaust connector pipe and belly pan had scuffs/scrapes on them, this would explain the lifting rear. I was pleased that it wasn't just me and then didn't think much more about it really.

Race 2 Powerbikes AM

Start 9th

Finish 14th

Well there had only been 2 races between my SS6 race and this one, which by the time I have got back to the collecting area and got the bike refuelled they are pretty much calling me to go out again!! and Brands GP is hard work!!, so fatigue may play a part here. Although Brands GP is quite a technical track, there are fast straight(ish) bits too. I had geared my bike to about 163mph and was hitting this down the backstraight. Its when the speeds get big like this that power wise I am at a real disadvantage against the 1000cc bikes that are probably carrying an extra 10mph at this point, which unfortunately I then have to make up the hard way namely brakes and corner speed!!

Race 3 SS6 Final

Start 18th

Finish 29th

I was feeling pretty confident as I had had a good result in the AM, 18th on the grid in the final is about as good as it gets for me. I know how imperative the opening lap is and I wanted to get a good start. By that I didn't expect to be leading by turn 1 but I didn't want to slip backwards and make more work for myself like I regularly do!!! Did get a reasonable start and into Druids for the second time I threw the bike on its side, druids being my strongest corner at Brands … about 1/2 way round the corner, for what seemed like no reason (didn't feel like I was overly pushing it) the back end let go in a big way ... my sphincter shortly followed suit!!! however I wasn't down yet ... then the front started to tuck, "ahh well this is it then, I am deffo down here" I thought in my head ... all the time I had been sliding off the bike and kinda holding myself up on my knee ... somehow ... and don't ask me how, it steadily came back ... I was pretty much off the bike at this stage so had to clamber back on.

I was pretty much in disbelief that I got away with that and partly through confusion (I really really thought I was down there) and bricking it, I just couldn't get my head back down again ... I had essentially just had an off (mat managed to get some pics on the Photos page)...

Although I continued I was obviously 'off the pace' now and I was getting swallowed up, over the course of the next few laps I nearly got taken out half a dozen times, one of which was at the very fast and potentially dangerous Paddock hill. I just wanted this race to end, I really wasn't sure if I was going to make it home it was that frantic out there!!!

I was oh-so glad to cross the chequered flag and I rode back to the collecting area still collecting myself to be honest. Like I said I had essentially just had an off, but luckily for me it had effectively been pain and cost free!!! I however took this as a crash and hence a BIG warning!!

I really wasn't sure what I had done wrong to be honest so presumed the tyre must just have let go!! It was an old tyre that I had used on the Saturday at Snetterton and had turned round as the LHS was really god still (now effectively the RHS). Even so I have used old tyres before, so wasn't totally convinced by this. Either way I now needed a new/different tyre before I would be able o have any confidence in it. This was my Powerbikes race was in a few minutes and thee wasn't enough time to make a change (and get heat into it). at this point I really considered NOT doing the Powerbikes race as I was really shaken and had no fait in that tyre now. I would potentially be a danger to myself and everyone out there if I wasn't on the pace. I also would really really! kick myself if I consequently binned it!! However where I finished in this one would grid me in the Sunday am race. If I didn't start/complete the race then I would be at the back of the grid. I am actually doing pretty well in the Powerbikes championship (10th coming into this round) so I can't really afford to be starting from the back of the grid.

I ummed and arred for ages, but decided to go out there and simply get a finish, anything would be better than a DNS.

Race 4 Powerbikes PM race

Start 14th

Finish 18th

Still bricking it, didn't do anything heroic, jut rode clean and smooth, although I wasn't really 'trying', the back end didn't feel too bad to be honest, but there was no way I was going to push it!!. Crossed the line in 18th which although out of the points, all things considered wasn't bad. I was also pleased I had got back out there rather than let the doubt/nerves fester over night!!

I was glad to finish, on the cool down lap I was just meandering round then I noticed a bike against the tyre wall at Druids, er … it was orange!!! As I got closer it was indeed Andrews bike!!! I banged my head/lid in disbelief, Andrew had had an off!!! Was it n the last lap?? I hadn’t noticed it/him there before that!! But it hadn’t been red flagged, and there was no one on the floor being attended to, so presumably he was ok??

Andrew episode

On getting back and de-gearing, we then wandered up to scrutineering to collect Andrew/his bike. His bike was there, but no Andrew. He was evidently still down the medical center. Matt et all said they saw him wandering about after the crash (which incidentally was on lap one it would seem) so he must be largely OK and they were just checking him out or something.

We took his bike back and got to stripping it down in an attempt to ready it for his next race if possible (and he was fit to ride).

Andrew eventually came back, with an icepack. Overall he was thankfully ok, but his left arm was badly swollen at the elbow. When I say badly swollen, he looked like Popeye after a dose of spinach!! The swelling worsened with time and he/we decided we ought to get he seen to again. The medi centre were really impressed … in a “wow look at this Ted” sort of way … they sent us off down the local hospital to get it checked out properly!!

We got there and there was a massive queue, a 2 hr wait … most of the people seemed less than emergency … Andrews arm looked impressive, so I suggested Andrew ‘milk it’ a little … he then faked semi fainting and massive pain … we got straight to the front of the queue, they got a wheelchair and carted him off!! Sweet!!! :oD

They x-rayed him etc, but couldn’t really find anything wrong, perhaps a fracture, but it wasn’t clear. So just gave him a sling and a few drugs and said report to the fracture clinic in a few days … anyway Andrew didn’t care about the pain etc, he was more worried about what his wife Annette would say!!! … there is a story there, but it probably isn’t my place to talk about it, so lets get back to the race report!!

Sunday 31st

Greeted by what again looked to be set as a nice day weather wise.

Race 1 SS6 Qualifier

Start 15th

Finish 23rd

Put another rear in as like I have pointed out, lack of confidence in the first one. This one was indeed still ‘turned’ and 2^nd hand (from the Sunday of Snetterton) but looked in good condition, especially on the (what is now) RHS.

Still a little taken back after the near off the day before, but with a different tyre I was determined to put that behind me.

I got an appalling start, probably dropping 15 places on the open lap .. once you loose momentum someone passes, making you loose even more momentum and every man and his dog then passes barging you even more off line!!!

Not really sure why I did quite so bad as it was really poor even for me!! I suppose a little thoughtful of Andrews incident the day before, also I wasn’t 100% committed during this race, this sometimes happened in my first race on the 2^nd day, probably related to the lack of sleep I get at the track, by what is the 3^rd day (including the Friday travel) 2^nd night, it starts catching up with me. But I also realised I had messed this one up and there was no point pushing it.

23^rd, well that means I didn’t make the big boys final this time. Still like at Snetterton I might win the N/Q race!! I also realised if I was to do this I needed a BRAND new tyre in the rear as that way I can ride 100% as there was not enough time to fit and warm that before the morning Powerbikes race, I’d have to wait until lunch and go out on an unscrubbed one for the SS6 race.

Race 2 Powerbikes AM

Start 9th

Finish 16th

The pace had really picked up now, wouldn’t say I did much wrong, but was struggling with this new pace. A small way into the race I saw Phil Bevan on his Duc 998. I recognised him as he raced with Matts (my loyal spanner man) old race club. I also knew his pedigree as matt had told me. He and his bike are both x-BSB. That said, for some reason he was in my grasp!! I had no right to be with a bike and man of that calibre and I really digged in, I wanted to beat (or at least keep with) this bloke!! This really helped me pick my game up, to my surprise I was keeping with him, his bike was defiantly v-fast, but for some reason he wasn’t really that quick into some of the corners, of particular note was Hawthorn Bend (at the end of the back straight) and Stirling’s bend (cambered left hander after dingle dell (sheen corner)). I actually was really comfortable riding with/against him, unlike the SS6 loons who where all balls less skill, Phil had nice clean and predictable lines, this instilled confidence in me that I could run close with little danger.

Managed to get the run out of Sheen corner and make a pass on him into Stirling’s, nice!!! He however blasted me about ½ way down McLaren straight!!! The fight was on!!! I passed him some more, once into Graham hill, but again he blasted past come the straight (cooper).

Last lap flag was out, I had him in my sights, passed him into Druids this time I think, took the middle of the track on the exit of Graham hill to make his pass harder. Held him off ok, only to get smoked again down the back straight (pilgrims drop). Right I knew my last chance was Stirlings!! Held back a little into sheen corner so I could get the run on him, drove out hard and executed the pass on the brakes, nice!!! Now to hold him off to the finish! Again took the middle of the track here to make his pass harder, he didn’t pass before clearways, I braked very late for clearways and tried to get good drive through/out of there. He still hadn’t passed … I buried my chin in the tank and kept it pinned to the line, swerving slightly to try and put off the pass. Just as I was crossing the line I saw his front wheel!!! This one would be close to call!! If I beat him it was only by a wheel length, if he had beaten me then the same!!! Either way it had been a great experience and I was chuffed!!!

Race 3 SS6 N/Q Final

Start 5th

Finish 4th

Well I had done so poor in the AM race I had only qualified on the 2nd row!!! Put the new rear in over lunch and got the warmers on to ‘bake’ it a little.

The weather had been ideal all w/e, however literally 10 mins before my race big black clouds loomed on the horizon, threatening a downpour!! Oh for goodness sake, it was one of those ‘what shall I do (tyre wise) moments!!! I wanted to win this race, I didn’t need to be thinking about tyre choice!!!

It hadn’t rained yet so stuck with drys. In the collecting area, our racing friend from rookies Paul Mullen was gridded the row behind me, even if I didn’t win the race I HAD to beat him!!! :o)

There had evidently been a big crash in the previous race as we were waiting for ages, I have always been anal about my tyres and their temperature, and was even more concerned by the extended wait as the rear was unscrubbed. I have found that a nice HOT unscrubbed tyre can be worked pretty hard from the off, no problem, but I was unsure about a cold (well not up to temp) one. It was a long warm up lap though, so should be able to get some heat in.

We must have been in the collecting are3a for 15 mins now, I had intended to scrub the rear in on the warmup lap, but where it had con cold I obviously was just trying to get some heat back into it!!! My original plan was to try and get up front as quick as possible to try and ‘break’ the pack as that worked at Snetterton. I knew that a top SS6 rider had gone down in the AM race so he would be starting at the back of this grid and he would soon scythe his way though, therefore even more need to get a gap and make the most of it in the hope he couldn’t make the difference up before the flag.

However being unsure/happy with the rear I realised I should just try and hold my own on the opening lap and make my move when I have more confidence in the condition of the rear (probably on lap 2). 6th I believe at this point.

Got away from the line ok and held my own on the opening lap. Started to get my head down now, and then proceeded to make my way forward. Until I got stuck behind Mr 4th place. His lines were erratic, but he was quick/had a quick bike. I just couldn’t make a clean pass, I could see the lead 3 getting away now, I was getting frustrated. Tried to make a pass a few times into Drids, but bailed out as it wasn’t clean enough and I didn’t have the faith that he wouldn’t just slam the door and cut my nose off. Also tried into Stirlings, but again just couldn’t quite make it.

Eventually managed to get past him into Paddock hill!! And set about the next bloke … unfortunately he had made quite a gap on me now after that other bloke had held me up. But I recomposed and dug in … dug in deep!

Managed to close him down, his riding was much better/predictable and although I had a few failed attempts still, I managed to execute a pass ok. I was now in 3^rd place. The lead 2 were in sight, but I needed to keep the pace up, but within a lap that fast guy (that had fallen off in the am race) blasted past down cooper straight!! I recomposed myself and pushed forward again. The other bloke was now in the lead!!! I got right on the tail of Mr 3^rd place, but there simply wasn’t enough time to pass before the finish!!! 2.44 seconds behind the winner ( 0.75 behind 2^nd 0.27 behind 3^rd).

Gutted there hadn’t been another lap and that I had got held up, I at least deserved 2^nd and could probably have held 1^st if I could have got clear at the start, but hey that racing!!! I however had ridden my hardest all w/e and loved the new rear tyre … what am I still doing messing around with turned/old tyres??? (well I do know it is a money thing, but what a difference to confidence and therefore lap times fresh rubber makes!!!)

Race 4 Powerbikes PM race

Start 16th

Finish 17th

Still fired up from the SS6 race, but again, only time for a splash and a dash before I was out again!!

On the opening lap I spotted Phil Bevan again! (he must have passed me in the 1st lap kafuffle) Great, lets do battle with him again I thought!! That was not to be the case though, I got stuck behind this extremely powerful green thing and saw Bevan inch away!!!

I did make a few paces on green thing, but he would simply blast past at the next straight, getting in my way at the next corner again!!

As I wasn’t fighting for a podium or anything it was quite good fun doffing him up when I could, I was on the wind down from the SS6 race now, Bevan had gone and was just there having fun!!

Summery

We were never going to do Pembrey 26June as it was deemed to far for 1 day, (nor Croix (in France) on the 24^th and 25^th July as that was too much time away really once you have included travel etc), but Andrew consequently can’t make Brands on the 10^th July 04 either. Therefore his next round he intends to go to is Cadwell on the 21^st August. That firstly is ages and secondly is 4 rounds of what my be our last season that would be missed!!! For me that is too much and too long!!! I am reliant on Andrew for my transport (him transporting me and my kit round the country is how he sponsors me) so have to really fall into line with the rounds he wants/can do, but like I said this is to long and too much I would be missing, so will have to hire a van to do Brands!!!

So roll on Brands 10^th July!!!