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Photo courtesy of Wileman Photography
Race Report
BMCRC Nationwide Supersport 600 Championship
Rounds 15 and 16 – Snetterton 13-14 August 2005
August 14, 2005 - This was a race I was
looking forward to, with the intention of getting back
near my normal riding and race positions. My injuries
were healing well.
My goal for the weekend was simply to try to get back up
to my normal race pace. I could not afford to do the
Friday practice day so just had to make do with the 10
minute practice and races.
I still have not been able to replace my leathers from
the April crash (being cut off by the hospital) so once
again had to make use of my endurance team leathers for
the weekend.
We arrived at Snetterton late Friday afternoon, but for
a change before it got dark. Mike Wallis had kindly kept
us a space on a grass area in the paddock. We were lucky
as when we arrived the paddock was already full. By
early evening it was overflowing. The bike was
scrutineered, just in time, and the wheels sent off to
Alan Russell to fit the new tyres kindly donated by John
Sanders in March.
Saturday Practice:
The practice was only used to scrub in the new tyres and
because of limited fuel I could only do three laps.
Saturday Race 1: Grid 16 –
Finished 6th
I got a reasonable start but because I was on the inside
I was boxed in in the first corner and lost a few
places. I passed five or six bikes back to get up to
just inside the top fifteen by the end of the lap.
During the race I made up a few more places moving up to
tenth. I was still not riding as well as I should have
been but was feeling reasonable for the circumstances.
Near the end of the race there were a few crashes and I
moved up to finish in sixth place.
Saturday Race 2: Grid 6 –
Finished 18th
In the lead up to the race the weather was changing with
spots of rain then drying. I decided to run a wet front
and dry rear in case it got a little damp. This is my
nearest setup to having intermediate tyres. I must get
another set of wheels so I can have intermediates. Just
as we came into the pre-race collecting area it started
to rain properly. There were a few on wet tyres so it
was going to be a difficult race. My start was fair and
I had a go at holding my place into the first corner. I
slid on the brakes going in, then a bad slid mid corner
and on the way out. Into the second corner I slid badly
again and ended up running of the track. Re-joining put
me near the back of the field. I made a few places at
the end of the straight then had another big slide
through the Bombhole. This made me decide to take it
easy and reduce the risk of crashing. Not a nice race at
all.
Sunday Race 1: Grid 18 –
Finished 21st
Once again the weather was playing up, but it was dryish
before our race. As soon as we went onto the circuit it
started raining. The dry tyres were slippery once again
so I chose to take it easy, minimum risk, and just
wandered around slowly.
Sunday Race 2: Grid 21 –
Finished 22nd
In the lead up to this race it looked like the weather
was improving and the circuit was dry. A few minutes
before our race it changed again and started raining. It
still looked a bit to dry for wets but I put my wets on
anyway. Going onto the circuit it was patchy wet with
some fairly dry places. I really did not want to be out
in those conditions that would wreck my brand new wets,
so I took it very easy to save the tyres. I was pleased
when it started to rain harder as it saved the tyes from
getting damaged. Even so, my mind set was staying
conservative so did not get a good result.
General Comments:
Overall it was a weekend that I was really looking
forward to, but it did not turn out that good. My first
race was OK but the other three were not enjoyable. Even
on Saturday evening it rained hard and was cold.
Phil Polden was once again showing just how tough he is
to get over all his bad luck problems, with a hurting
eye and an unlucky crash on Sunday damaging his
championship position. It was good to see Greville Ball
starting to look himself again with some good rides.
Pat Robinson was unfortunately missing due to Caz having
tooth problems. Shaun Gilbert had even more bike
problems to bring an untimely end to his season. Michael
Wallis did not have a great weekend either with some
minor problems and a small crash. Most people seemed to
have a worse than average weekend.
The highlights of the weekend were seeing Dave Shelvey
win his first race followed by the biggest grin
possible. It was also good to see Nick Sanders get a
well deserved third place in his last race on Sunday. It
was also good to see Lyndsay and Michael.
Im now looking forward to the last race at Brands and
hoping for consistent wet or dry weather.
SUMMARY &
RESULTS
Saturday Race 1: Grid 16 – Finished 6th
Saturday Race 2: Grid 6 – Finished 18th
Sunday Race 1: Grid 18 – Finished 21st
Sunday Race 2: Grid 21 – Finished 22nd
Championship Points: 68 = 19th place
HIGHLIGHTS:
NEXT RACES
Round 17 3rd Sept Brands Hatch
Round 18 4th Sept Brands Hatch
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