17th June 2004 - Brands Hatch

Thanks to Mark Hill at MHP Exhausts we managed to patch up the battered exhaust cans, straighten the flattened link pipe and fit my spare seat unit. With the bike ready to go it was just the rider that needed help.

Fit enough to ride thanks to Brian Simpson it was nice to be in the relaxed atmosphere of the Motorcycle Folly once again. This time a few friends from the MiniTwins series had come along and although my tyres were long past their best they were to prove quite entertaining none the less.

I've never been 100% comfortable on worn tyres but as I didn't have the strength of the enthusiasm to get them changed before the track day I would have to make do. It turns out that Metzeler RennSports can be a lot of fun once they get beyond their best with plenty of progressive slides, particularly getting on the gas hard at the bottom of Paddock Hill bend whilst chasing Gary Morris.

Had a really good day although couldn't manage a full session due to pains in my wrist and leg. Encouraged that I could probably get out and race again before the end of the year if my budget could have coped with it. Turns out that having first Nigel Voyce and then Garry Stephens knock me off had taken almost two grand out of my budget to get the bike straight again and have my leathers repaired.

Not sure what is worse, having to give up my racing for the season due to injury or finances. Either way it was frustrating but it would be good to get healthy and fit before the 2005 season rather than continually having to start racing with some injury or other hanging over me. Fingers crossed for 2005!