Snetterton 1st and 2nd May 2004  

Click here for Snetterton track layout

Overview

Well after his success at Cadwell and crowning himself ‘king of the wet’ Andrew was praying for rain so we could do battle with me again in the Powerbikes. I however although fancied a jostle/rematch with Andrew do prefer the dry and lets face it my new super tuned engine would only really come to the fore in the dry.  In the dry I should be able to use every last neddie down Snettertons long, long back straight (rivvett straight) :o)  

I also wanted to see if I could beet my old personal (Dry) lap record, which was set back in 2002 before my big ‘off’, the closets I had got since was a 1:15. As my confidence had grown a fair bit now from the 2003 lull, I’d use the 1:14s is my benchmark to know I am ‘back’, with the new engine now too, there was no excuses! 

Andrew and I set up camp Friday afternoon/evening, the place we normally try and get (looks right onto the collecting area) had for some bizarre reason now been fenced off.  We found a place near by, but it meant it was a bit more of a pain to get to the collecting area (involved a few sharp turns and some gravely road). 

Chief spanner monkey Matt and his, now becoming regular apprentice Edi, met up with us later that evening as they couldn’t get off work any earlier. 

Saturday 1st May 2004

To Andrews glee we awoke to a wet morning!!  I was a little gutted as the Friday had stayed dry all day, but hey, Powerbikes should be fun, the forecast was better for Sunday, so hopefully get to attempt my lap record then (if I didn’t bin it in the wet cashing Andrew!!). 

Although there was a round at Snetterton back in March, that was when I had my engine woes and it was weathered off too, so I wouldn’t really call that a visit. Therefore I counted this as the first time I have been to Snetterton since last season. 

Morning practice

So it was full wet conditions, ‘wets’ on. 

Got settled in and tried to get my times down a bit. It seemed that people were either WAY slower or WAY faster, so I couldn’t really get a tow from anyone to judge my own pace.  Due to this, I didn’t try anything heroic, but felt pretty comfortable. Fastest lap was a 1:31. 

Race 1 SS6 qualifier

Start 18th; Finish 24th 

It hadn’t really rained since first ting in the morning, for about 30 mins before my race I wasn’t sure if it would be a full wet or dry tyre choice.  From what I could see, the track was still very wet, but I knew a dry line would be appearing as the bikes went round. After lots of ummming and arrring, about 15 mins before my race I took the executive decision to go for a dry rear, wet front.  That combination is a good compromise, not ideal, but then there is no ideal for these sort of conditions (not allowed proper ‘Inters’ in supersport!).  It at least meant that I wouldn’t knacker my rear wet if it was predominately dry line now and yet I have a ‘safe’ front. 

I had a choice, brand new dry rear, or a part worn, well pretty knackered.  I was no way going to go out on an unscrubbed tyre in damp conditions so went for the partworn, unfortunately I had made this final decision quite late and by the time we had changed the rear, there was but about 5 minuites to get the warmer on and some vital heat in it!! 

So I was going out on an essentially cold DRY rear in damp conditions.  In the collecting are I noticed pretty much everyone else had gone for full wet front and rear. 

Pulled away pretty gently on the start of the warmup lap, even though I was going pretty steady the rear spun up a bit!!! It looked pretty dry really, so just presumed it was a combination of it being cold and evidently a little damp still. 

On the warmup lap it was clear that I had made a good decision going for the dry rear from a tyre conservation point of view, as the track had a distinct dry line by now and that would have knackerd the full wet.  But it was also clear that the dry was going to be a bit dodgy as there were parts of the track that were still covered in water/streams. 

So in my head I realised this and the cold tyres, so wasn’t really mentally prepared to push it really, it was a long w/e ahead and there is little point messing it up in dodgy conditions/tyre choice. 

Got away from the line ok really, but short shifted knowing the rear might spin up, got swallowed up into turn 1 and turn 2 … 

One of the most dodgy parts of the track was in the braking zone at the end of rivet straight, it was dry up until about the 100 yard marker where it was still very wet, even with puddles/streams still there!! SO I needed to get all my main braking done before I got there (normally still braking hard well past that and into the turn itself!). 

On the exit of ‘the esses’ chicane that is just after this point it again was going from wet to dry again, right where you would ‘hook up’. 

Really didn’t feel too comfortable and had a few minor ‘moments’ so just kinda tried to not push it in those areas and cane it a bit more where I knew it was dryer. 

I kind of got into no mans land after a bit, no one really directly in front and no one really showing me a nose.  As the race went on I started to close down a chap though, I presumed his rear had started to go off as he really had slowed up and you could tell he wasn’t hooking up out of the (dry) turns.  Managed to get him before the end and just settled for that.  Really.  Crossed the line in 24^th??. 

Not really that impressive and I was a little disappointed, as I really want to do well in the SS6 class!! There were so many 600s that there were two full grids being run and the top 50% of each would qualify for the PM final.  The others would be in a ‘Non Qualifier’ final.  As I had finished that far down the order, I was almost certainly not going to qualify for the top final. 

I did however realise that if it dried out properly and I could get my head in gear,  I had a good chance of being able to win the PM SS6 non qualifier race as I knew I could lap significantly quicker than I had done in the qualifier!! 

Race 2 Powerbikes

Start 8^th; End 6^th 

I had a brand new set of tyres for this race, I had intended to scrub them in during practice, but that didn’t happen in the end because of the wet practice.  That said the new set I had had for brands actually felt really good from the off, so mentally I realised that there wasn’t really a huge problem here, the warmup lap should get the worst of it done! I generally take it a bit easy on the first lap till things settle anyway, so by then they should be pretty much hot to trott!! 

Got away from the line ok ish, not bad into turn 1 either, did loose a few places, but nothing drastic all things considered. 

Picked off a few during the race, but also got overtaken.  Had a race long battle with a ZX6, he certainly had some poke, I could make back the difference on the brakes, but never really had enough to make a pass.  I was stronger through the bomb hole and Coram, and made a few attempts round there, but just couldn’t get cleanly past.  What didn’t help is the chaps erratic lines making it difficult for me to commit to a pass. 

I knew I was quicker than him not only from through the bomb hole and Coram, but into Riches (turn1) and Sears (turn 2). I had been making up time here on previous laps after he had got a few bike lengths on me down the start finish.  So rather than closing right up on him this time on the brakes into Riches (then getting held up as I had before), I held back a bit this lap so I could get a good drive/run through Riches.  In the hope that I could get a good run through Riches and then Sears, rarther than just not having enough to pass and having to stop in line, then he would hook up and I just couldn’t make up and I would get dropped.  So, with the clear run thought I should be able to keep more momentum through sears.  I’d have to cut it close as if he didn’t get on the power as he had been, and I went in there fully committed, then I would ram him, if I held back to much then I’d drop out of his tow and he’d drop me again! 

Lined him up on the last lap and held back a bit this time, executed my plan, came out of Riches and was closing at about 10mph faster than him, but I kept it pinned, he hooked up good and the differential began to disappear … just in time as by the time he was doing the same speed as me I was less than a wheel length away!!  I was right up his chuff, the closest I had been all race at this point of the track, I tucked in tight and made sure my gear changes were perfect … I was right in his slipstream, this time he wasn’t dropping me anywhere near as fast!  I had only lost about 2 bike lengths by the end of the starght (instead of 6-10 as before), on the brakes into the esses it was!!! 

Got to the 300 yard marker and pulled slightly to the left (at that speed and that distance, I wouldn’t be able to react in time to prevent ramming him when he started baking).  My braking marker was the 200 yard point.  At about 205 yards he started braking!!!  I hit mine right on my marker and slipped past his inside on the brakes.  As I had the line, I purposely over braked slightly for this corner to ‘stuff him up’ a bit (as he had done so many times to me!) in the hope he would loose momentum and I could make a gap. 

Hookedup good out of the esses and ran ok through the bombhole, but not quite as good as normal as I was thinking about him behind me!  Then round Corum, still no sign of him!! Held a mid track line into Russles (the final chicane) as I didn’t know which side he would try and pass (and didn’t want to leave the door wide open!!).  I hit the brakes … I then saw out of the corner of my eye him slipping up the inside!  I had braked quite late, and you could tell he had over cooked it slightly.  He cut right across me and held me right up as I had to brake harder not to hit him!!  In this melee, a third chap sliced between us both!!!  A very bold move, that could have taken us all out, but it payed off for him as he got through cleanly!!  

Tried hooking up better than the ZX6 bloke, but was in the wrong gear now, without realising at the time I crossed the line in 6^th.  

Didn’t realise I was actually running in 4^th before that incident it would seem, that makes loosing the 2 places even more gutting!! 

Still 6^th is a good result and by the sounds of it, I would have kinda been gifted 4^th as two of the front guys went down on the last lap (i.e. if they hadn’t I would have only been 6^th anyway). 

Race 3 Powerbikes PM

Start 6^th; End 6th

Made a couple of passes, but just got outpowered down the starights. Ended up with the same problem with the ZX6 bloke!!  Took him on the brakes into Russles with a couple of laps to go, but he blasted past/took me back at the end of the start finish, again stuffing me up a bit.  Managed to get back on terms again by Corams into and closed right up onto Russels, where he was crawling through, but taking up all of the track!! I had to go in there slower than normal because of this, so tried 1^st (normally run 2^nd).  When I hooked up,  well it was just too much, so had to short shift to 2^nd, which unfortunately lost my flow/drive and he blasted away! Spent the next lap and a bit trying to get back, but I had dropped too far behind now really and just couldn’t get on terms.  Corssed the line in 6^th.  Again Could have been 5^th, but there you go!!! 

Again 6^th isn’t a bad result, so although frustrated with Mr ZX6 again, pretty happy with that as a result. 

I had been trying pretty hard and was pleased to find out that my best laptime was a 1:13.49.  That is over a second quicker than my previous lap record!!!  That was one of the min things I wanted to achieve/prove to myself over the weekend, so was pleased by that.  Especially as it was early days yet!! 

Race 4 SS6 non qualifier

Start 7^th; Finish 1^st

As I explained I had a bit of a naff qualifier and had indeed not got into the main final.  I had actually only made 7^th on the grid in this race! 

If I was going to attempt to win this, I knew it was crucial for me to get away with the front few not slip back as I normally do on the opening lap or so (where it is generally so frantic mid-back of the pack!).  I also presumed that the pace would be pretty hot and I couldn’t give anything away! 

Got away from the line ok, actually made a few places on the brakes into turn one!! .. that is unusual for me! … I actually came out of turn 1 (Riches) in 3^rd.  That’s good I thought, happy with that, that should set me up for the rest of race.  Then to my surprise, everyone seemed to brake early (to me) for Sears … hummm … I’ll have some more then!! Took 2 more into there (putting me in 2^nd) and clearly had more momentum than the front guy … hooked up out of Riches and wasted the lead bloke … fug me I am in the lead!!!  Tucked in real tight and kept it pinned, left the braking pretty late (for a first lap) into the esses and to my joy no one passed.  Again hooked up out of there and well just kept my head down!!  Got to Russels and was still in first … hooked up out of there and pulled a cheeky wheelie … I couldn’t believe I was leading this race so soon!!  Put in a couple of hot laps now as I didn’t want to get complacent. 

On about lap 4 I took a good look over my shoulder as I was hooking up down the backstraight.  Not only could I not see anyone close behind, but not even anyone coming into Riches … so either someone was RIGHT up my @rse … or I ha dropped the rest of the pack by a fair way already!!  Again not wanting to get complacent I kept it hot.  Every lap looking behind me at that point.  But nothing … on about lap 4 I seemed all alone still and hadn’t really seen anyone for ages and I was thinking to myself, er have they stopped this and everyone else has gone or something??? Kept a keen eye on the marshals posts, but no flags or anything … a bit bemused I carried on. 

By about lap 5 there was still no sight of anyone, I started thinking … “Ok Nick, you have got this one, you need to keep you head down a bit else you might get swallowed at the end like you did back at Pembry that other time I was leading all race and had backed off.  But I also don’t want to keep it unnecessarily hot in case I fudge up and throw it all away on a needless crash!!” 

I was now gaggin for the Last lap flag, it seemed like I had passed the line 100 times, but it just didn’t seem to come out!! 

What seemed like 20 laps and an eternity later and I was about to cross the line for what seemed the 1000th time, and I the flag bloke just START to  pop the last lap flag out … humm this must be the last lap at last then??? Not 100% sure though … this race is going on for ever … Took a good stare over my sholder down the back straight again, still no one that I could see.  “Come on, keep it together now Nick”!! 

 I then saw a backmarker way up ahead!! … Oh no … please no, don’t let me get taken out or held up by him!!  But kept it safely hot, I could see him up ahead and I was catching him like mad.  On the brakes into Russels and he was just hooking up out of it.  Took Russles with plenty to spare, then hooked up for the final drag.  The last lap flag was clearly out now (presumably for the backmarker??) again right as I was aproachign the line he dragged that in and started to poke the chequered out … I thought “that’s it … finally the finish, I have done it” and backed off.  

I then had a nagging thought of Pembrey type flag c0ckup again.  So I then re got my head down and kepot a reasonable pace.  Took the back marker and looked behind me down the backstraight … humm … no one (except back marker).  But the marshals didn’t seem to have their yellow flags out (like they do when a race ends).  What is going on?? I think it is over but is it??? Please please don’t take this from me in that crew way again!!! 

Aproached the chicane and saw the marshals tentatively walking out to the track with their red flags … at that point I was pretty sure it was indeed all over!! … so slowed up and put my hand up. 

Pulled up and spoke to the marshall, explaining that I wasn’t sure if the race had actually ended.  He said “yeah they were saying across the radio to me ‘don’t step out in front of that bloke, we think he doesn’t realise the race is over, he is still on it!!’” … we chuckled.  Wow I had really done it!! 

Returned to the paddock, a little flustered/confused really.  

I guess I was pleased, but it hadn’t sunk in yet really.  Just glad it was over.  I also realised it wasn’t the proper final, so no trophies or points or anything, so did it really mean anything at all that I had just won?? 

According to Matt et all, I had actually finished 13 seconds in front of the next bloke!! Kool :o) 

Looking at the times my best time would have been good enough for a top 5 in the main final!! 

Race 5 SS6 Snetterton 20 March cancellation (bad weather then) re-run

Start 38^th; Finish 20th

This was to be my 5^th race of the day and there was only 15 mins between my last one finishing and this one.  Before the previous race I wasn’t sure if I would bther with this one, but I guess on a bit of a high and the fact I hadn’t worked to hard had plenty of energy left, so thought what the hey!! Might as well :o) 

Well started right at the back of the grid, wasn’t expecting much to be honest and didn’t really care!  Didn’t really think I was trying to hard in this race and nothing memorable happened.  I was surprised to find out that I had actually finished 20^th as it hadn’t seemed as if I was passing many people.  Strange, anyway you don’t get anything for 20^th place. 

Saturday summery

Had been a good day overall, mixed feelings about the race win, it was good that I did it, but didn’t see it as a proper win … take away all the fast guys and I can win … so what??? Still it was nice to be first across the line at long last and to do so with such a great lead was cool.  I have really have to try and dig in deep, shut my eyes and hope for the best on the opening lap and get away with the front lot a bit more, thus hopefully be more likely to qualify better, so I get a better start in the main final!! 

Sunday 2nd May 2004

I had noticed in the last race on Saturday that I was starting to get a bit of brake fade, the pads hadn’t been up to much for a while now (all this season so far), but they hadn’t faded, just not as good a feel or power as they had been.  

Also my rear tyre was looking like it was passed its best, no totally knackered like I have normally run them to, but past their best.  I realised that there was no point splashing out all this money on a competitive engine and running/scrimping on tyres. If I want to run with the front guys, I need fresh rubber like they have got. 

So the executive decision was made to buy some new pads and a new rear tyre for the sunday round.  In times gone past I would have used the rear until it was totally shot or turned it and run it backwards, but I can’t get away with that any more if I want to run at the front!!! 

Race 1 SS6 qualifier

Start 20th; Finish 16^th

So brand new rear tyre, new pads, humm … would have been nice to have scrubbed both in prior to the race, but there was no opportunity.  I was pretty confident now that the tyre wouldn’t prove much of a problem, as have scrubbed in 2 sts already this season and they give confidence pretty quickly.  But the brakes/pads were a bit of an unknown.  

Ran the brakes out of the collecting area all the way to the grid to get some heat in (they are carbon based pads so even when bedded in, need this anyway).  Went away from the line, braked early for turn 1 … brakes didn’t really do a great deal, but hey I was still bedding them in.  Went round turn 2 and set off down the backstraight, hit the brakes earlier than usual (at the 300 year instead of 200 yard marker)  … er … they are not doing much here … pulled a bit harder … er come on … pulled harder still … holy smokes slow me down!!!  Did make the corner, but nearly had to run straight on!!  Ahhh them brakes aren’t particularly good yet then … I’ll remember that!! 

Lined up on the grid and set off for lap 1.  Realising that the rear tyre had only done that one lap and not fully scrubbed yet and that the pads weren’t up to much, I made sure I took a defensive line into turn 1 and braked nice and early.  Unfortunately that equates to getting fully mugged in a SS6 race!!!  No big surprise I was going backwards now! 

The brakes were much better at the end of the back straight this time, so they were bedding in nice. 

Got some confidence in them now, so set about getting my head down.  Started to make my way forward a bit, taking bikes where I could.  

On about lap 5, carried more speed and got better drive than the guy in front through the bombhole. I started going round the outside of his CBR600RR round Coram, this is a very fast (3 figure) corner, I had my line and wanted to keep as near as that as possible … so cut it pretty close to this bloke!  Got almost alongside him and it must have bricked him up as he started to go wide … only I was right there!!! I was doing about 5mph more than him at this point and just kept my line.  As I got alongside his bars he had moved out enough for me to clip his bar with my elbow!!!  God knows why, but I found this really cool at the time and it didn’t really bother me … it did cross my mind that that perhaps we might both go down here, but I just carried on. His bike disappeared backwards and from my perspective, luckily nothing came of it, it was possible that he had gone down, but probably not, just bricked himself and gone way wide now!! :o) 

Not much more to say about this race really.  Crossed the line in 16^th, gutted, one more and it would have been points :o( 

Race 2 Powerbikes

Start 6th; Finish 10th

Well I had done rather well in Powerbikes the day before really and hoped to keep up the good work. 

Started 6^th on the grid, got away pretty well, but lost a place or two on the power down the back straight. 

Things then kind of settled down a bit until I caught behind a bloke on a Gizer thou, same old story, lots of power, not the best lines.

Not much really to remember in this race, crossed the line 10^th. 

Not as impressive as the day before, but still a respectable result at a power track like Snetterton. 

Looking at the results the pace was much hotter in than the day before, the front guys getting in the 1:10s!! 

Race 3 SS6 final

Start Thirty something; Finish 25^th

As per usual an uninspiring SS6 race.  When I start that far back, I realise that I am not going to be up to much, so just kinda write the race off.  I must stop doing this else I am never going to get up there with the front guys where I belong/want to be!!! 

Race 4 Powerbikes PM

Start 10^th ; Finish 12th

This race was only one race after the supersport race I had done (i.e. SS6 was race 13 and powerbieks race 15) .  So only enough time for a splash of fuel, a quick drink and I was pretty much out again.  It had been a long weekend and this was he last race, kept a reasonable pace, got caught behind someone again and spent most of the race getting frustrated!!!  Finished 12^th. 

Overall Summery 

Well not a bad weekend all in really, some pleasing results beat my personal lap record by a second, stayed on, new fairing looked good.  Roll on Brands GP!!! (Andrew and I are not going to Lydden which is the next round).