Eglington gains points as form returns

May 1 & 2, 2004 - We arrived at Snetterton on Friday afternoon to get set-up for the weekends racing. After a week of heavy rain it was dry on Friday and the forecast was dry for Saturday and Sunday. So, being optimistic, I changed my wets (still on the bike from Cadwell) to dry tyres ready for the first practice on Saturday. Woke up early Saturday morning, got myself and the bike off to scrutineering and it started to rain. Back to the caravan and another wheel change back to wets.

Saturday practice:

As usual, our 10 minute practice was not really long enough. I did not have to learn the racing lines but had to try to adapt my circuit knowledge to the bike. A little difficult in the wet but I took it steady and had an uneventful practice session.

Saturday Race 1: Grid 13 – Finished 10th

The weather had dried up a bit but we were only the 3rd race on the circuit. Tyre choice was difficult for everyone as the track was starting to develop a dry line in places, but there was still standing water in some areas. I chose to use a wet front and dry rear tyre in the hope that I could get a good drive out of the corners. My son, Shaun, had come to the race and it was great to have some help with the last minute tyre changes, tyre warmers and stands.

Starting from 13th on the grid, row 4, I expected to be a bit slow as my dry rear tyre would not grip as well as the other riders on wets. As expected, I lost some places coming up to the first corner but then lost a whole lot more after some typical first corner clashing, having to back off to avoid running into the rider in front and then getting balked a bit. I tried to get the power on really early to get a good run to the next corner but picked up a large slide on my cold dry weather rear tyre. This put me in about 22nd to 25th place. I settled down, let the tyre warm up, looked for the best lines and then started to work my way through getting faster as the race went on. By the end of the race I had worked my way up to 10th and was catching the next group but needed another couple of laps to make up the next couple of places. I was pleased with my result, especially after such a bad start.

Saturday Race 2: Grid 20 – Finished 12th

This was the 600 A final and was on a fully dry track. My start off the line was average but I held my position and then passed a few bikes on the entry to the first corner. After that I slowly made up ground and passed a number of bikes to get into 11th place on the last lap. One of the riders I’d passed earlier must have been following me closely and he passed me with half a lap to go. I was pleased as this was a good result in the main final and more points scored.

Saturday Race 3: Grid 17 – Finished 9th

This was a replacement race for a previous Snetterton race that was cancelled due to bad weather. My start was average, just keeping my position up to the first corner. I decided to take a risk and go around the outside to make up a lot of places in the first corner. As with the previous race I worked my way through and ended the race heading a pack of six or so bikes across the line. This was my best finish position in the series so far and my lap times were quite reasonable considering the old tyres and a very oily circuit. By the end of the race I was starting to get the feel of the new bike and was just starting to get into some controlled sliding.

Sunday Race 1: Grid 6 – Finished 7th

My rear tyre had worn through the limits and was de-laminating to the canvass. Rooster (Pat Robinson) saw this and donated me a used rear for the race. So, another last minute tyre and wheel change was made and the bike was ready to go.

I was hoping for a good race and got into 5th for the first half but lost a couple of places by the end. The new rear tyre was a little slippery to start with but settled down as fresh rubber was exposed. Although this was my highest finish position so far I felt I didn’t ride very well. Not as smooth and accurate as I should have been.

Sunday Race 2: Grid 14 – Finished 15th

A fair start then some bunching in the first corner kept me back a few places to probably around 15th or 16th. In the first lap I made up some places and rode a fairly good race to lead a pack of 7 or so bikes across the line at the end. Overall I was very pleased with my result as this was the main final with all the top riders in it, and staying on. Although my lowest position for the weekend, I felt it was my best ride with good close competition and good lap times.

Overall, it was a good weekend. The bike performed well and my results were good although I had the advantage of being on a circuit that I know quite well. I’ve moved up from 36th to 22nd in the championship, out of 74 point scorers. My riding is improving slowly but surely. With my main focus on learning to ride the bike I’ve yet to get into racing but that will come with time and confidence. My lap times were OK but I still need to be able to do a couple of seconds quicker on worn old tyres to be in a position to stay in with the front runners when I have new tyres. The good news is that the tyres are still quite reasonable at their wear limit and are perfectly suitable for my current level of riding. I do hope to be over-riding the tyre limits before I need to fit new ones, otherwise it’s just a waste of money.

My next race is at Lydden, a circuit that I don’t know. So it’s back to trying to learn the circuit in the 10 minute practice. At least I should have a reasonable grid position, possibly on the second or third row if the 600’s are split into two groups. At worst I’ll be on the fourth row, so a good start and hang in with the faster riders will be my tactics to learn the track in the first couple of races. It’s 2 day race weekend so I will have four races.

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