5th May 2003 - Snetterton

Put on a new set of tyres and blagged another practice pass after more clutch and brake fiddling over night. Decided that I really needed to work on my brake and turning points so planned on spending the first race getting my act together.

Race 1 - Mini Twins

Made a much better start and went around the outside of a bunch of people only for the guy who I was beating in the Championship to push me on to the mud on the way out of Riches. Nice! A bit of motocross action and I rejoined with Gary Morris, who had beaten me in both outings on Saturday, a few places in front.

It took me a couple of laps to get my head together and my new found turning point for Sears helped me hang on to the back of a couple of riders although I still wasn't able to get by in a straight line. The next guy made a mistake at the bomb hole which I took advantage of and the second was despatched a lap later at Riches. Gary had about 5 seconds on me but I kept my head down and worked on being consistent and after a few laps found I was catching him.

Probably wouldn't have got close enough for a pass as he was strong in all my weak places but slow in the area that I was quick but he was a bit indecisive going round a back marker and I managed to get on his tail. I went round him at Coram's despite him running wide and I shut the door going in to the chicane. Unfortunately I went in a bit hot and ended up on the rumble strip on the way out which let him come past again. Another lap and I was back with him and as I still hadn't seen the last lap flag so I had some time and after he ran wide through Sears when the leaders came through I managed to get right on his back wheel down the Revett straight. It took the whole length of the straight but I managed to get by at what was probably less than walking pace. Unfortunately he then did a do or die block pass going in to the Esses which meant I had to back off a bit.

There was a slim opportunity to go underneath on the way in to Coram's but I wasn't sure so backed off intending to get him on the next lap. Unfortunately the leader must have taken the last lap flag so the next thing I knew we were heading for the chequered flag with Gary still in front - Doh!

Still improving although only managed 11th place but much happier putting in a best of 1:25.49 - Should have been 10th but for the grass tracking at the start.

Race 2 - Mini Twins

Having seen how much I was losing to the other SVs down the straights I reckoned I should still be able to get in to the mid 1:24s times if I didn't get held up by some of the other guys in the corners. Made a much better start and was with the next row going in to the first corner. For some strange reason Gary Nicholas had made a bad start and Gary Morris was in front of him. Great, maybe these guys will hold each other up and I won't get left behind so badly.

After a couple of laps Gary Nicholas overtook Gary Morris and I took full advantage of a mistake on the way in to Sears to get between the two of them down the straight. Mmmm, imagine what I could have done with 72 hp :-) I concentrated on trying to stick with the bike in front but he was gradually pulling away. A mistake when getting passed by a guy on a VTR going through Russell's Chicane meant I ended up on the rumble strip coming out and I lost the drive on him and Gary Nicholas in front.

Ended up with a lonely 10th place but had managed to get my times down to 1:24.69 which I was pleased with. Reckon I'm losing 1.5 seconds down each of the straights due to the power deficit so am reasonably happy with the times I had got down to.

Shame about the crashes on Friday as they hit my confidence for the weekend and I only got back on the pace by the end of the weekend. I lost 13 points to the guy I was leading in the Championship so he is now 9 points ahead. Hopefully I can get the engine sorted in time for Brands where I can put the new ground clearance to good use and do some reasonable lap times.

Bring it on! As long as it's not wet in which case I'll probably come last. Ho hum!