1st July 2001 - Mallory Park

Dashed down from Oulton Park after the last race on Saturday in time to get set up for racing at Mallory Park on Sunday morning. Not something I fancy doing often as it's very hard work - Fortunately this is the only date in the 2001 calendar where this happens much to the relief of everybody.

Did do a track day here earlier in the year but was never really comfortable with the hairpin and bus stop sections to the point where I would quite easily lose half the length of the main straight to some guys only to be back behind them again a lap later.

Race 1 - Rookie 600

Started in 22nd position (row 6) on the row behind Glenn Berry and the usual Rookie posse. The lights changed and the rest of my row charged off while I waited for the bike to get in to the power band. Finally got with it and headed for a gap in the row in front. The guy on the left started coming across on me just as Glenn moved towards me from the other side. Already committed to the gap I ended up shoulder barging Glenn out of the way - sorry mate!

Found I was braking much too early for the Esses although would be right up behind the guys in front on the exit as I seemed to have a better line than they did. Lost a place or two on the approach to the hairpin on most laps only to make it up again around Gerrards later on. A couple of times I realised that I wasn't using all the throttle about half way round the corner - A quick twist of the wrist and the pace moved up a gear rapidly.

Gradually the exertions of the weekend took their toll and I fell back to the group behind. One guy came by on the way in to Gerrards and got stuck behind the person I had been chasing - I managed to ride round the outside of both of them and it took him another lap to catch and pass me again ;-)

Eventually caught a small group of two or three bikes in front but simply ran out of laps to do anything about it. They were quicker through the hairpin but the chequered flag appeared before I could get to Gerrards and try to pass them. If the finish line had been at the other end of the pit lane I would probably have got one of them as we were that close.

Rather disappointed to finish in 22nd place, well, disappointing given my recent form anyway. Completely blew away my best lap time though - At the track day I did here earlier in the year I only managed a best of 58.12 but got down to 56.93 and there are still areas where I know I can make up time.

Race 2 - Clubman 600

Decided that I was too tired to enter the Clubman 600 races. As it was I ended up as second reserve, due to the smaller grids at Mallory, which would have meant that I would have to start at the back anyway. I really didn't have the energy to fight my way through that many back markers.

Shame really as the much reduced field meant I could have probably done better in the Clubman race than I managed in the first Rookie one. Guess the heat and exertions of Oulton Park were taking their toll on everyone and that's before some of the accidents that cut down the field at Oulton yesterday.

Race 3 - Rookie 600

By the time lunchtime came around I was feeling rather unwell to the point where I wondered whether I would fall down every time I stood up. Although I did manage to recover enough to go for a short walk later on I didn't feel steady enough to risk riding the bike. I thus withdraw from the race and live to fight another day with bike and body intact.

Race 4 - Clubman 600

Did not attempt to start the race due to feeling unwell.

One good thing about not being able to start the second Rookie 600 race was that I got to watch it from the vantage point overlooking the Bus Stop chicane. It was amazing to see the difference between the front boys and the rest of the grid. Gave me a whole new perspective on the lines and speed you can use around that section. Also interesting to note that Ian Davenport, who won both the Rookie races also managed a third place in the SuperSport 600 race. I think that sums up the quality of the front riders in the Rookie championship this year.

Worked out at least one reason why I haven't been so good on the brakes (aside from lack of bottle that is) - I think the fluid is so old and knackered that the lever almost comes back to the bar. Doh! I'll be sure to get that fixed before next weekend.

A really good weekend - I feel I'm making some progress now after the constant string of mid to low 30 position at the start of the year. Now if I can just get a bit fitter... I have also withdrawn from the Clubman races at Snetterton and Cadwell (a circuit I only have vague memories from my solitary previous visit). Hopefully this will give me more time to think about things and not make me so tired as I was this weekend.