2008 has been a fantastic year.  Yes it ended on a low, but I did do a fastest lap of 112.645mph.  I have lapped at least 2 sec's a lap quicker than I have ever been, at every circuit I have rode at this year, bar the Southern 100.  I have ridden harder and more aggressive than I ever had, as well as had the bikes in all sorts of shapes and enjoyed it.  I have made passes on people I would not normally do.  Plus I had my first win, starting from the back row of the grid.  Despite not having a good Ulster and Manx I have had a good 2008 Season.  Roll on 2009!

UGP & MGP what happened in between.

With the UGP over I was back in Navan out with my Uncle Martin and Cousin Stephen having a few pints and catching up before I caught the ferry from Dublin the next day. On the drive down from Dundrod, Andy Kirk rang and told me he had found a good engine for me, just incase.

I got on the phone to PaPa G who sorted it out for me, half hour later, Arend rang me and told me the new engine would be hear for Monday or Tuesday. Thank god, at least if I had killed the Engine I something to replace her with albeit a standard engine, but at least I’d get out.

I still had to give the bike to Slick for a butchers, you never know.

Back to Navan, after a few pints with the boys, Martin called it a night and headed home. Stephen on the other hand wanted more, so we headed to a night club. We had a laugh. It was cool, last time I saw Stephen we were kids playing. It was great seeing him again.

However I hated him in the morning, my head was banging. I got to the Isle of Man and straight up to Slick. He looked at the bike and said "I thought you'd killed it, I thought you were going to give me a challenge"

He sent me home and told me to pick her up in the morning. I got home feeling a lot better about things.

Next morning I was up at the grandstand signing on for the Manx. Last year they had a conveyer belt system in place. Which worked very well. You went in one end and came out the other all sorted and ready to race. This year however you had to go here for one thing after you had been there for that. You’d get there and then, No you have to do this first. Bugger me, I was eventually sorted and on my way to collect the bike.

I got to Slicks; the bike was sorted however I had a drop in power. Oh dear. This is what we were worried about. We all know the mileage I have had out of her. He asked me if I had cleaned the Air Filter, you can clean the Air Filter. He slapped my hand and took the pi$$ out of me in front of the boys that were there. Never mind, he said that will be why she is down on power. So he wasn’t too worried about the power drop anymore.

He also said that she is sounding sweet. No knocks, no smoke she is sounding really good. Go ride her and then let’s get her back and see what she is doing.

We got her back to Peel, the bike was still apart and I had 50 mins to get her together before getting out that night. As I pulled up to the garage, Maz called me to say that the practice on sat was cancelled. Thank god see called me. I took a step back and stated to sort the bike in slow time instead of rushing around.

I decided to check on the power cable that Jim installed for the Camera. I was a little annoyed when it nearly went up in flames on me

I cut it straight out the bike. No wonder it won’t charge the DVR. So ordering a new one of those today. I'll be getting me a few laps of the course myself I think. In the end I think we cut out 3 stone of extra wiring from the bike. With a clean filter and less weight I am taking John McGuiness's Lap record off him.

I was glad we did have time to sort things slowly I also found that my tank cover was wearing through the quick shifter cable too. Which we sorted and redirected. That would have been a pain. Plus I was knackered from my night out. I’m getting old you know.

Still I’ll finish her off today, and fingers crossed this weather sorts it bloody life out and get some decent laps in over this next 2 weeks.

NO Practice at the Manx GP

That’s right we got to the third night of practice tonight and we still didn't have a lap in anger.

The weather is shocking. I haven’t seen it this bad ever.

Fingers crossed we get out for a lap at least tonight.

MGP Third night finally a go.

Yeah Baby

Richard and Ron from Maxton Engineering came over to Peel during the day to have a look at my rear shock. On closer inspection I had no sag on the rear at all. He adjusted what he could and soon found that we had run out of adjustment. So we took the Shock out They serviced it and found that I was bottoming out the shock despite having a heavier spring already installed. They check what they had with them and unfortunately they didn’t ave the even heavier spring with them.

They changed a few internal settings and changed my ride height. We also changed the front slightly to compensate for the changes at the rear. All Data logged and away to the grandstand we went.

The weather was overcast but clear. The roads were also dry except for the odd river across the road. I found on the way over to the grandstand I was starting to get excited for the nights riding I had ahead. So I had to remind myself that tonight was the first nights riding and to take it steady.

It was soon time for me to take off Bray Hill. I was held up by the guy how made a better start off the line. I soon over took him by Alexandra Drive. I got round Bradden Bridge and got my head down. I was soon over taking more. I was noticing that there were a lot of people taking it real steady. I practiced a few things that John Barton taught me and they worked. Which was good.

I came through the Grandstand for lap 2 and once through Bray Hill I caught up with Jules Croft again like last year around Quarter Bridge. I thought here we go again. I followed him through Union Mills and over took him by the Post Office. I soon caught Maria Costello at Greeba but it took me till Ballacraine to pass her. She is quick once on the gas.

The rest of the lap went well. I did have to slow for an accident on the left after Gutheries. I hope the lad is alright.

I was happy to find that I lapped at 108 and 109mph, for my first 2 laps of 08, well happy considering that the track had rivers in places and greasy through Glen Helen.

Let’s hope tonight goes better again

MGP Practice Round up.

Sorry folks for my slack ass and not keeping you all informed about practice.
But as you will read I have been sorting the bike out and out practicing every night and it has taken up more time than usual. But this is the Manx, and that’s why we love it.

Wednesday night was good, well to a point. I set off with this buffoon on a bike. He was quick off the line, but carried it all the way into Quarter Bridge and over shot the corner. I nipped up the inside, as you do, but he came back passed me and over shot going into Bradden. I was nearly thinking of pulling in and letting him go.

I didn’t, I just tried to crack on with my own thing and ignore him in front. After following him for a few miles to Ballacraine, I knew that if I could get passed him he wouldn’t be able to keep with me, as it was clear him didn’t really know where he was going. I got an opportunity to get passed him going into Laurel Bank, but he wasn’t prepared to let me by and cut my nose off. I thought ok mate have it your way, I followed him to Cronk Y Voddy, where we came across 6 riders as a big group, 4 abreast over the straight. Great I thought where do I go. I waited to Handleys and nipped passed your man plus another. I cracked on and passed Callum O’Shea too. I was happy as I didn’t think the Buffoon would be able to get up to me now. But this was my next problem, because I had to pass this group we had caught as they were travelling a lot slower than me, I had to ride very hard to pass them. But this caused me to pump myself up.

Going into Guthrie’s I caught another rider, who again was riding a lot slower than I wanted to go. I was passed by a friend, Michael Russell who rides for the RAF, we had fun out there, he was riding his 750 and despite this I kept with him over the mountain mile, it was funny I followed his lines which were quiet nice. I got back passed him going into Ballacraine, he did wave me passed so he could got a tow off me through Glen Helen, only problem was I nipped passed him and the guy in front, and that was the only tow he got. I continued but my second lap was a slow one compared to my first. This was a new personal best of 112.645mph.

The positives that we gained from the session were despite pumping up on the bike, we were faster. I thought my old gloves had stretch too much and this had also contributed to the arm pump, so I bought myself a new pair. Plus we confirmed that the front of the bike needed sorting as it was still far too lively.

So Thursday night we changed a couple of things, mainly the front of the bike and the gearing, more speed Captain!!! Plus after speaking to the clerk of the course I was given permission to start in the fast group, i.e. group 1 to 30. This should be better for traffic out on the course. I shouldn’t be coming across 4 bikes abreast along Cronk Y Voddy straight. I set off with Philip McGuirk. I went through the bottom of Bray Hill full tilt and Phil still pulled ground on me. By the time I was coming out of Union Mills he was already heading passed the camp site at Glen Lough. Thanks for starting with me. The plan was to have a couple of steady laps and try and go quicker but with less effort and stop pumping up

This lap was awesome; I don’t think I have ever got to Kirk Michael so quick. I haven’t seen the split times but I know it was quick, I got to Greeba and through her in and then crapped myself thinking it was far to quick and I was going to come off, only to find that I made it and easily too. So there is a tenth or two there.

Unfortunately, someone had spilt oil or diesel all the way from the last kink at Kirk Michael to Ballaugh Bridge and it seemed to fill the right side of the road. So thanks to that idiot who did that, because of them the session was ruined. Put it this way, I have NEVER seen a ‘lack of adhesion’ flag waved before. Nor so many of them. The guys in front slowed to a sensible pace, where I was willing to go a little quicker. I caught 2 of them and once clear of the mess that was Bishopscourt and Alpine I decided that these guys might be able to give me a tow. So much for my game plan of a couple of steady laps. I was chasing a guy on a 600rr plus a guy on a 750. The 2 of them instantly pulled ground on me after Ballaugh Bridge and I thought right if I can just latch on I’ll be sorted. But what I actually found was, when I was in Quarry Bends I carried a lot more speed than then and had to roll to avoid clipping the guys back wheel.

This continued till Ramsey, I was slightly quicker through the wiggly bits, but they had the legs on me on the straight, even the 600. This was good though, yes I had again met traffic, but this time the traffic was only a couple of mph slower not 20 mph slower. Going over the mountain I found I had again started to pump up on the bike. My right arm was so solid that I was struggling to not only use the front brake but to twist the throttle on and off. I tried to relax and it sort of worked, but I was still not able to ride 100%.

We went for another lap and much the same, I had my fast bits they had theirs. I was sat behind them the whole lap. I got to Sulby Bridge and I thought right I think I can get to Douglas at this pace and ride through this arm pump, but once I had completed the motocross track, the run from Ginger Hall to Ramsey, I was unable to hold on at all. I slowed right up and ignored the guys in front. I went back to my game plan and just practice my lines at my speed. Which was what I wanted to do anyway.

I was a little annoyed with myself in the end, I mean I should have done that from the start, but I must admit I had some fun riding with those guys. It also boosted my confidence that I was quicker than them in most places I just couldn’t get passed.

More positives, the changes to the bike were perfect. I have never had the bike running so well. The gearing could do with a slight tweak, but I tell ya. Suspension wise. It has never handled this well, the first thing from a riding point of view I have been able to get on the gas so much earlier than I ever have before. I am on it before the apex rather than on it or even after it. Ron and Richard from Maxton couldn’t believe I could ride the bike, looking back I don’t know how I did either. Still I could and I can now. Secondly, when back in the pits the tyre wear is SO different to how it was. The surface is ripped but in a different way, it’s nice. The way the bike was working before, the tyre were working far too hard and was being ripped to pieces. Not that I ever had a problem with tyre wear, but you know what I mean.

Friday night we tried another gearing choice to see if we could go any quicker. The suspension we were leaving. The 2 laps were pretty uneventful. I stuck to my game plan and took her steady and just tried to link everything better and not try so hard. But again I pumped up on the bike. I couldn’t understand why and it was starting to pi$$ me off. My friend Carolynn Sells was going well, she overtook me at Bishopscourt and she was on it.

Heading up the mountain mile I noticed that I had to put a lot of effort in to grip the bars. I was trying to stretch the new gloves. In a short circuit 6 lap race I would never have noticed this. After a few meetings the gloves would be perfect. But trying to break them in for 40 mins at a time is a pain in the right arm, I tell ya.

I pulled in after my 2 laps, to find that there was still 10 mins of the session left. Stevie shot back to the van to get more fuel, or what fuel we had left. Remember this is my 4th MGP and I have never been able to get a third lap in before, so we were caught a little short. While he was doing that I got Mike Craine, new KaKa Racing MGP pit crew, to massage my fore arm to realise the muscle a little. I took on fluid and put my new glove on again. Instantly I took them back off. There was no way I could have done a lap wearing them. So Mike ran back to the van for my good old faithfuls. People were starting to panic, as time was tight, but no need we had plenty of time. I got my old gloves and headed out for my third lap.

This was a cracking lap. The newcomer I set off after, I didn’t see until Handleys. Those R6’s are bloody quick. But I caught him and couldn’t get passed him until the 13th. Once passed, I cracked on. My arms were ok, tired but ok. The gloves were the trouble. This was so much easier than before. I noticed in Kirk Michael that the street lights were coming on. Winner I had my dark visor on.

Heading up the mountain I noticed that the air was cool. It was so nice. Calm! The bike was flying. I was thinking this was a good run over the mountain. Ok I was struggling to see but it was a good run. I was linking things better, plus there was a lot less effort involved. This is a good thing. Then as I went around the 33rd the bike died, blar blar that was it. Out of fuel as quick as that. No warning just Blar Blar and the engine turned off. I rolled from the 33rd to Creg Ny Barr and rang the boys. I was gutted as I only qualified 34th with the first 2 laps. But that lap felt quicker, only thing is I will never know if it was or not. The gearing was fast but not the quickest I don’t think. I have to decide on the day as wind will be a big factor.

Saturday was cancelled due to weather. It was poor. Jet Skis would have been better. You get the picture. With a few days rest and my old gloves and a look at the data, I think we are there or there about for the race. I feel that I have let myself down a little, because I was fast at the start and then have gone backwards from there. But if we look at the other side of the coin, I have never made so many changes to the bike and it work. The bike is a real joy to ride as is the TT course, but if you can’t hold on then you are not going to be quick. I haven’t had a lap under 109mph all week. That ain’t slow. Plus I have broken my PB and Lapped at 112.645mph. So things aren’t that bad. But I will be pushing to go quicker in the race. I can’t wait, just hope this weather improves.

Well what can I say, eventful or what!!!!!!!  The day started cool calm and collected, no pressure, nice and relaxed.  We arrived at the grandstand at 0800, as planned.  We changed the wheels as planned, nice new hoops on for the race.  We also changed the gearing as I wasn’t totally happy with the gearing that was on.  The bike could pull it but it seemed laboured, plus it was a tad on the windy side.  Then the delays started to come in, first there was one delay then another and another.

Didn’t realise this at the time, but this was a blessing in disguise.  Stevie took the bike up to scrutineering as usual and then it happened, the bike failed.  My belly pan wasn’t holed but the bit that secures it to the bike frame wasn’t up to scratch.  So they wanted it repaired.  The only thing was it had been the same all practice week, so if they or she wasn’t happy with it then why not say something in practice week so that I could repair it in slow time over the weekend, rather then trying to fix it in the holding area when my fibreglass kit was back in Peel.  So with another fibre glass bought with yet more super glue, I got fixing the fairing. 

Fairing fixed, we went to put it back on and accidently clipped the bracket that holds the bottom of the rad to the bike.  It snapped!!!  Winner!!!!  I couldn’t believe it.  Now what was I going to do.  It obviously had a crack in it, one which we never saw and was obviously about to break.  So the blessing was that we found it now rather than breaking down in the race.  After an hour or so making a kaka bracket. We finally got the all clear from the scrutineer's and put her in the Parc Ferme.

We waited and waited.  We waited some more. Finally we got to the bike and warmed her up when we were given yet another, you guessed it a delay.

Finally at 1720 we were on Glencrutchery Road about to blast down Bray Hill.  I tried to keep myself calm.  For some reason I really wound myself up.  I was so nervous.  Which isn’t a bad thing?  I just don’t normally get this nervous.  I watched as each pair in front left.  I looked to the guy to my right, Tim Farr, who I was about to set off with.  We were the next pair away.  We set off, Tim Lifted the front wheel and immediately shut the throttle, cheers geez and I was off.  Immediately becoming as small as possible and tucking in behind the screen.  I couldn’t believe it when I drifted across the road to hug the bush before the St Ninians crossroads and Tim was their alongside me.  He was either on a very fast bike, or was just a very quick rider.  I decided to let him by; as I thought he was both and hoped he would pull me around. 

I was annoyed when I had to roll the throttle from the top of Bray Hill all the way to Ago's Leap.  I got on the gas slightly earlier than him and was along side him at the leap, only by now he was also back on the gas and pulled ground on me again.  I thought to myself “This is going to be a long 3 laps.”  Then as we drew to the slight right kink before Alexander drive he shut off and I got passed and accelerated all the way till after the jump at Alexander’s Drive before shutting off for Quarter Bridge. This was the last I saw of Tim all race.

I pushed as hard as I dared, because the conditions were dodgy and this was the first lap of the race so I used this as a sighting lap, as did most the field.  I caught up with 4 other riders through the Glen Helen section of the course, this was very wet in places and everyone was cautious through here.  Despite this I passed them as quickly as possible.  As not to lose too much time from being over cautious.
The rest of the lap flowed quite nice.  I was very concerned that I might suffer from arm pump again, but until now I was fine.  I grabbed the bike with my knees and almost let go with my arms.  It seemed to be working.  I had a good run over the mountain until I got to the 32nd.  I marshalled there on the Monday for the newcomers race and as I enter the first part of the 32nd I wondered what they would be thinking.  It was only a moment loss of concentration and I tipped it in a fraction of a second too late for the 2nd part of the 32nd.  Only thing was I went really wide and almost went off the mountain because of it.  I rolled the throttle and it wasn’t till the last part of the 32nd that I got back on the gas.  So don’t think I impressed them there with my bike riding skills.  Still there was another 2 laps to impress them later.

I sorted myself out and headed for Windy Corner when on the exit Ryan Kneen overtook me.  So I latched on for what I could.  Funny thing was although he was faster than me I followed him all the way to the Grandstand.  He pulled in after 1 lap for his pit stop; by doing this he would have got a flyer for a last lap.  I decided to go straight through and do a splash and dash for cash at the end of lap 2.  Dodgy decision as our last splash and dash ended with me stopping at the Creg.  I flew through Bray Hill full tilt; it always puts a big smile on my face.

I got to the Glen Helen section and had a couple of twitches, not slides but little reminders that grip wasn’t at its best.  So I rode accordingly.  Infact I was slightly slower through Glen Helen on this lap than I was on the first, go figure.

I had a big jump over Ballaugh Bridge, which showed me I hadn’t lost too much time through here as I believed I was loosing a lot of time here all practice week.  I carried a lot of speed onto Sulby Straight.  I knew this as I was really wrestling the bike through the last two bends.  I got my head down and just kept her pinned.  Like always I wheelied out of Ginger Hall and broke for Jules’s, I got back on the gas and without warning the bike just cut out.  I mean completely stopped as if someone had turned the key off.  It was so violent that I was almost spat off the bike.  Then it fired back up a few feet later it cut out again.  I stuck up my hand as I knew I was out of the race, gutted, but I also believed that I had the 4 guys I over took right up my you know what.  I turned and looked; the first guy came by about 30 sec later.  I was even more gutted; I had made up so much time.

I continued to roll all the way to the DOT building along the motocross track, properly known as Glen Duff, where 2 marshals Shaun and Marston helped me out by giving me water and the loan of a phone to let everyone at the grandstand know I was ok.

I was gutted this was beginning to turn into a bad few weeks.  No races at the Ulster and now I lost one at the Manx.  Slick will sort it, if we can’t.  I got back to Peel   had some scran and got back to the garage and stripped the bike.  It was like a proper Manx.  In the garage at midnight, beer in hand and the bike in pieces.   We cleaned a few things up and sorted a few cables, and when we run the bike it run.   But too make sure we will get her run on Slicks Dyno.

We got to Slicks and run her on the Dyno.  The problem didn’t show its head.  Winner and Slick said if it doesn’t show its head then we can’t fix it.  Then as he was running her down to turn her off, it did it and cut out.  One of the relays was clicking like a madden.  There you go.  So we rushed back to Peel and started to strip Stevie’s bike and took the relays back up to Slicks.  Stevie insisted that we take up his bike incase there was something else wrong.  Good job he did really.  We put the relays on my bike and the problem was there and seemed worse.  Then we had a brain wave and we checked my battery.  When we were pressing the starter switch the battery was dropping its voltage to 2 volts.  Err Houston we have a problem.

Slick concluded that I had broken a lead plate in the battery and I had lost a cell.  It was Knackered.  So we got Stevie’s battery and put it on.  Put the volt meter on and the low and behold, the voltage dropped to 10 volts instead of 2.  Bike sorted we had a couple of other things to do then we were ready for the Senior on Friday.

Senior Race

We got up in the morning to grey skies and rain.  Winner!  Another day of delays, this Manx will go down in history as the worst Manx ever for weather.  Still these are the cards we are dealt with.  The bike flew through scrutineering and waited in the rain in parc ferme.  Meanwhile we waited out of the rain in the Hailwood Centre for the inevitable race delay.  Too everyone’s amazements we weren’t given a delay, it was cancelled till Saturday.  You have to be kidding me.  I had to be on the ferry Saturday morning no matter what.  I couldn’t believe it.  What an end to the Manx, what an end to the season.  I loaded the van and said my goodbyes and headed back to Peel.  We were talking and backing the Clerk of the Course, because he had been so accurate all week with his weather reports.  So he must know something we don’t. 

Back in Peel we loaded the van for home the next day after we took Stevie’s stuff off my bike and back onto his.  The van was loaded to the roof, but more importantly, while loading the van the sun had come out and was splitting the stones.  I was thinking he made a bad choice and the racing could have gone ahead.  But I kept reminding myself that I couldn’t see the mountain.  I received many calls that afternoon telling me that they were now thinking of running the race this evening.  I headed home and listened to the radio and looked at the webcam of the mountain.  It was clear.  Hoofing, I might get to race after all. 

We got the bits back off Stevie’s bike and waited for the radio report.  At 4 on the dot we were told the race was going ahead.  We headed through to Douglas. We got to Greeba and it started to drizzle.  The further we got the more it drizzled.  By the time I was at the grandstand the fog was down, we could hardly see the tower, and the rain was coming down.  Never the less we got the bits on and the bike through scrutineering.  Again the bike was waiting in the rain, while I waited for it to be cancelled again.  Eventually it was.  The senior was cancelled twice in same day.

My Manx was properly over.  I had to be on the ferry the next morning come rain or shine.  I didn’t get to run the bike properly to find out if we did sort the problem out with the battery.  I also didn’t get to do a 113 mph lap.  But I did enjoy riding the Mountain Course.

The three week I spent away supposedly racing was a let down.  My 2 favourite circuits and meeting, the reason why I race and I didn’t race at either event.  So much for my blow out before I go away but there is always next year.

Slowboys take on the Manx

DAY 1,
I arrived at the isle of man with my son Lewis (our first ever visit to the island), we met up with Billy Boy and his crew (great bunch of guy's) .Then we were introduced to Bill's mum and partner Arend (very welcoming people), we watched Bill set off on his first lap and the hairs on my arms were standing up - what an experience seeing these guy's in the flesh doing what most people can only dream of.
We watched the green light come up on Bill's number board to indicate he was a mile outside our grandstand position, He came past like a man on a mission ,(then we heard after a few minutes or so that he had broke down ) I WAS GUTTED FOR HIM. The end of the day came and back at the garage nothing showed as a fault as to why the bike had cut-out on him.

Day 2 ,
Slick Bass put Bills bike on the dyno to see if the fault would occur which it did at the very last minute- turning out to be his battery - this was replaced and retested ok.  Bike now sorted for Senior race on Friday.
Me and Lewis went around the circuit on my bike and I must say I now have even more respect than before for anyone who takes part in the races on the TT circuit, later that night we watched the races at PEEL BEACH and my son had his photo taken with JOHN McGUINESS, IAN HUTCHINSON AND DAVID KNIGHT many thanks to them.

DAY 3,
the race was postponed until an update at 4pm (which I didn't hear as we had to leave to catch the ferry back home), I heard from Bill later that it was cancelled, the weather being the culprit on the mountain TOO MISTY.
I really felt for Bill as it was gutting that he couldn't get out there (as I knew he had to leave early Saturday morning to catch his ferry).

MANY THANKS TO BILL, HIS MUM AND PARTNER AREND FOR HAVING US STAY WITH THEM FOR OUR TIME ON THE ISLAND AND THE FOOD THEY GAVE US, I COULDN'T THANK THEM ENOUGH, AND THEY MADE US FEEL VERY WELCOME.

Night before take off to Ireland

Well its 2311 hrs, didn’t realise that it was anywhere near that late. Finally, I am packed and ready for the road. The bike is all stickered up and ready after the Jurby Road. I’ve a few things to do to her after the UGP, before the MGP.

Its going to be a strange one this time. This time last year me and tony were all packed and ready to go, but we had each other to share it all with. This time I’m going alone. So although I’m excited I won’t have anyone to be giddy with. Even though I’m having the time of my life.

I can’t wait. I just hope it dries out a little. It has monsooned now for a couple of days; rivers are starting to appear where they shouldn’t be. I need it dry to break lap records. Fingers crossed.

As soon as I can get on interweb and up date you all, I will. If anyone reading this finds any pics taken of me please post them here for other to see.

Faster Faster Faster, that’s the goal this year.

Well there are bound to be a few moments along the way.

Night before Practice UGP

After waking up at 4 in the morning on Sunday morning after only 5 hours sleep, I jumped in the van and made my way to Holyhead. Typical, because of the hour I left the roads were empty and made very good time all the way to Anglesey. If I had left 2 hours later you just know I would have hit all the traffic jams there could have been. Still I didn’t and I only had a few hours to waste at the port.

I was soon on the ferry and sleeping like a baby.

We landed in Dublin, I set the Tom Tom to Clusker Park in Navan and away I went. I had a couple of days to spare before I headed North for Dundrod; I had a few plans for these couple of days

1. See Croque Park, as I was in Dublin.
2. See Slane Castle if it wasn’t too far away.
3. See the family, if I could find where they all lived.

I told the Tom Tom I didn’t want to use toll roads. So off we went. The roads got small and tighter and people got more and more. Then there was a road block and a sea of people all wearing Red, what the fook was happening here. I looked up and there it was, Croque Park. Tick box 1.

Made up with meself for stumbling upon one of the things I wanted to see. I cracked on to Navan. As I drew closer to my Irish home I got the feeling I knew where I was. Suddenly I drove around a corner and was welcomed by a road sign say

“Welcome to Slane”

Bugger me Tick box 2; I’ve just seen Slane Castle. I couldn’t believe it. Thing is Ireland is a big place and I always thought that Slane could have been anywhere, turns out its just a few miles down the road from my Uncle Watty's.

Watty and his Girlfriend Irene took me into town for a few scoops in Navan. We ended up in a pub called Wiggy’s. Oh my god!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I spent Monday at my Auntie Rosie’s which was really good. It brought back so many memories from when me and Tony were kids (Tony can’t remember last week so he would never remember the place) still I did and it was great seeing my cousins and there kids. Oh how we have all grown.

I got up today Tuesday and headed north. About half way up the heavens open, just like the news said. By the time I got to the circuit the place was flooded. I drove around the course, and when I got to Williams Corner there wasn’t just a river across the road, water was gushing out about 2 foot in the air from the hedge. Fook me, the van fully loaded aquaplaned.

I got to the paddock and was happy to find that I am in B Paddock this year and not C paddock with all the Wood Chips. I set up in the pouring rain and checked the bike over. Meanwhile the rain stopped. Once sorted I had a little lie down. After an hour or so I popped down the shops for some food and drink, via the circuit obviously. I was surprised to find that after the downpour we had earlier, that after only a couple of hours the track was mostly dry with a couple of damp and wet patches. Let’s hope the weather stays dry.

While sitting in KaKa HQ (the gazebo) my neighbours, John O’Brady and his wife offered me a power point instead of running my jenny. Then after they finished their dinner they then offered me some food and a can of beer. Which I was very grateful for as it saved me a trip to the BallyMac, a pub a few miles down the road in the middle of no where (they would never hear me cry).

Now I have finished this, I'm off to get my head down early, lots to do tomorrow.

UGP Practice

Unfortunately things in Ireland didn't go to plan. I got up around 8 in the morning after one of the worse nights sleeps in ages. Couldn't understand why it was so bad I was creamed crackered.

I soon realised how valuable Stevie Christian really is. I was running around like a headless chicken. I was signing on one min, scrutineering another, and then having breakfast. Put like this it don’t sound much but on your own it seemed a lot to do.

Around 11 ish as promised, my cousins, Jonathan and Richard Farley turned up to offer their support. Infact when they did turn up there was nothing left to do except go and watch the bikes. It was a while before I was out.

We watched at last years spot the last corner on the track. Nothing special happened. While watch the newcomers going round I realised there was a few last things to do before heading out.

I sat in the holding area with Johnny and like last year it was like they were waiting for the 'R' (rain) to come. Obviously they weren't, but it felt like it when all you could see was this huge black cloud coming in.

We finally got going, I took it steady for the first lap while I remember my way around and checked out where the wet patched were. Good job I did, because at the end of the Flying Kilo, a corner at the end of a very long straight, it was soaking wet. Infact all the way to Leathemstown it was wet. Then from there it was dry. It was wet where you’d expect it to be dry and dry where you'd expect it to be wet. Only in N. Ireland.

Once I knew what the crack was I started to increase my speed. Good job and all, as the weather was starting to come in. The first 2 laps around Deer’s Leap was dry, after that it was soaking. Not very nice on a corner that requires big, you know commitment.

On the 4th lap or so I caught up with John Crellin and after a scary lap following him I thought it was time to pass him, which I did coming down from deer’s leap. I managed to stay ahead for a little while, but coming into Wheeler's Corner I got on the gas and the bike lost all drive. It just sort of went 'wer wer wer' I first thought that the back wheel was spinning up. But I seemed to have no drive. I looked back there was no smoke, no noises, I tried the gas again and the same happened 'wer wer wer'. I then thought have I ripped all the teeth off the sprocket. I don’t know it could happen. 'wer wer wer' maybe its dirty fuel, or a spark plug gone or HT lead. I put my hand up to let the others know and made my way back to the pits.

Once back at KaKa Race HQ, I started the bike again to show the boys what the bike was doing when Johnny screamed stop and there it was, a hole in the casing.

My world fell in. The UGP was over and the bike might be dead. Dear God.................

With nothing else to do we got on the lash and I drowned me sorrows. We had a good night actually.

Next day we loaded the van and watched the racing. As it turned out, it was to be the only racing at this years UGP, as Sat was cancelled due to bad weather. I must admit I found a cracking place to watch, Flowbog. If you ever go and watch, I recommend.

Fingers crossed I get her fixed in time for the Manx.

What a day, what a day.

The day started with a delay due to the lack of marshals. While we waited for the situation to get sorted this gave the radio commentators a chance to get round the paddock and chat live to a few riders. One of them being me. So I have now had my first live radio interview. I’m sure I was stuttering like mad, but think I sounded ok. Nervous or what with a mic put in your face.

Eventually we got out for practice. This was ok but I geared her really wrong. I had no legs down the straight. So I got back to the pits and changed the gearing and a few settings on the suspension and out for another practice. The bike was so much better.

Because I messed up the gearing in first practice I also didn’t qualify to well. So I had my work cut out. I got a blinding start, which made all the difference. I had a good dice with Dennis Booth from Northern Ireland. I passed him he passed me and I’d pass him again. Once finally passed him I got my head down and set about chasing the guys in front. One of which was Si Fulton. I tried to pass him going into the last corner, but once alongside him he drifted wide and nearly put me in the hedge. Poor spectators shit themselves, thinking I was coming to join them.

Eventually I got passed him after riding right up his backside round the kink at the end of the start finish straight. He knew I was there and stayed down the left side of the track. But I went further left and got him on the brakes.

I tried to catch Andy Cowin but couldn’t. I was well happy having lapped at 108mph. 2mph faster than last year.

The 600 race was on row 3 for the start. Another good start and I was away. Again I had another good Dice with Dennis Booth, only this time he got the better of me. While chasing him I was taken by Alan Jackson, which meant I had to get passed him to get to Boothy. This took a little longer than I thought it would which meant he had now taken Andy Cowin.

Once passed Jackson I set about get passed Cowin. Like Fulton in the earlier Race Andy Cowin tried to put me in the Hedge, I lost a little ground on him while I sorted myself out, then the horns came out and I want to pass him. I chased like a mad thing and caught him at the last corner again but was too late to make a move. I was well happy I had lapped even faster at 109.229mph

Last race of the day I had a pig of a start, I had a good little dice with Alan Jackson again. I sat behind him for a lap and tried to learn a little of him, Once the class was over I nipped passed him and didn’t see him again. It was a lonely race, so I concentrated in putting in the fast laps. Unfortunately my fastest lap was only 108mph. Not to shabby but I was trying for a 110. The re is always next year.

I love the Jurby road event. Relaxed, no pressure and bloody good fun. I did take some video footage which I will post ASAP. But I only got practice as my DVR battery died. But it’s clearer than last year’s footage.

Next race is the Ulster and Manx. I cannot wait.

First Practice

Second Practice

Race Day

Got down the pits early Thursday morning, ready for the day’s antics, the weather was grim, over cast, wet in places dry in others. There was only one tyre choice to make and that was dry’s, as it would of kill the wets.

We were the first race of the day. So out we went eventually. I had a good look round on the warm up lap and it was wet and horrible at all the bad corners you really didn’t want to be wet. Iron Gate, Ballanorris (Billy's Gate) and Williams, Great Meadow was slippy too.

We lined up on the grid, the lights went out and we were off. I got a cracking start and went from the third row to 5th. Down into Iron Gate for the first time and I slid a little, then into Ballanorris, like last year the bike went sideways and nearly put me into the wall. I slipped in Williams and completed the first lap. I decided at that point I would just finish the race. I was eventually over taken by Adam Jones and Peter Simpson, because they were just willing to go that bit quicker than I was in those areas. Fair Play boys, I just didn’t want it to end in tears. I finished in 7th place and lap 1 sec slower than my PB.

I was also in the last race of the day. Which meant a lot of waiting around. As the day dragged on, the weather turned for the worse and started to piddle down. Off with the dry’s and on with the wets.

In the Solo Championship race there was a big crash involving Victor Gilmor, which delayed the proceedings, as it seemed to take forever for them to clean things up.

This meant our race was cancelled. Which was a shame as I was all fired up for a wet race again like last year.

Looking on the bright side, at the awards night in Castletown we were given back £50 as we paid to race but didn’t, so it was great telling everyone that I had won some prize money for my efforts in the 600 race. Never let the truth get in the way of a good story. It felt like prize money anyway.

On to Jurby Tomorrow.

We got up in the morning and scrutineered the bike, signed on and had breakfast.  Practice went okay; I knew I wasn't going to break any records that morning.  I had just fitted some new brake pads and new tyres to the bike.  Both needed bedding in.  We also changed the suspension settings on both the front and rear of the bike, something I don't normally do.  After chatting to Pea, we decided it was something I needed to do.  At a few circuits now I have hit a brick wall, not literally, I just can't seem to go any quicker.  I think I have done all the improving I can do, now we had to start changing the bike to get the most out of the it.  Hopefully with this, the speed will come. Still, nonetheless, I was going to go out and have some fun.

After the first couple of laps, I could start pushing the bike a little as the brake pads were bedded in.  But as I started to push.  I noticed that the suspension on the front felt very, very different.  It was like I had to fight it all the time.  It just didn't want to do what I wanted it to do, it almost felt alien, something which it had never done before.  I got back and spoke to Pea, as well as analysed the on board footage.  As we watched the footage, we noticed that the bike was chattering under braking going into corners.  Just one of the things that was making the bike feels alien.  Once in the corner, the bike was trying to push me out to the corner.  Obviously we had gone the wrong way with the suspension.  It didn't matter too much, this was after all, a learning curve.  No surprise at the end of the session Jeff qualified 25th on the grid, while I qualified down in 30th.  Remember I was still bedding stuff in, and the front end wasn't feeling too great.  I was only one second slower than Jeff, lapping at 1.54.83 not my quickest time, but only three seconds slower than i've ever gone.  Not too bad really, I wasn't really worried.

So after a few tweaks here, a few tweaks there, it was time for my first race, the Formula 600.  Although the brakes were working, they were different to what I was used to.  They felt weak, even though they weren’t. I just had to pull harder on the levers than I normally do.  Instead of using sintered pads, which I am used too,  I'm now using carbon pads, which were obviously feeling very different.  I got out on the track and set about setting a good lap time.  The suspension improved, but it was still a little alien to me.  I mean, it was working better, but there was still room for improvement.

I got an okay start. I got boxed in again into the first turn.  However, coming out the first turn I got on the gas earlier and powered down, I past many riders going into cascades, Jeff being one of them.  Once around cascades, the race pretty much settled down.  Although I did overtake one more rider going into Ireland's, a ballsey left turn before Shell hairpin.  I was following Matthew Norman on a bright green Kawasaki 600.  I tried everything to keep with him as the race continued.  He slowly pulled away from me, each lap.  I ended up being on the track by myself.  So I just concentrated on setting good lap times.  I found after about lap six, I started to get really tired.  With only a lap or two to go, I could hear another bike behind me.  Once the race finished I wasn't surprised to see it was my arch nemesis Jeff Booth.  Once back in the pits, it was apparent that Jeff was beginning to suffer with gearbox problems.

Jeff's son went and got the lap times from the race office.  I was very happy when I saw that I lapped consistently at 51 seconds and 52 seconds laps.  Hence why I got so tired.  Although I never lapped quicker than I have ever gone, I was only a fraction off my fastest ever time.  But I was knocking on the door of a fastest time the whole race, which wasn't so shabby.

I explained to Pea that there were still a few changes I wanted to make to the bike.  It was still better than the qualifying session, but it still wasn't right. As it turned out we almost went back to the settings we had at the start of the day, but I did take away a lot of knowledge after that. I tried something new although it didn't work, at least I knew what l had done wrong and how to correct it.  Plus I now know what chatter feels like, as I never had it before.  We made the last few tweaks for the next 600 race.

The next 600 race was a 10 Lapper.  If I struggled with eight laps, what the hell was I going to be like after 10?  But who cares, I just love riding man!  To be honest the next race was pretty uneventful as well.  My fastest lap was a 1.51.57.  Again, not my quickest ever time, but not far off.  Again, I lapped consistently around 51 seconds and 52 seconds a lap, which wasn't bad considering I did it for 10 laps.  At one point, I did hear Jeff get right up behind me. After a couple of laps he was no longer there.  In my head, I thought I left him, it turned out his gearbox problem was becoming worse.  I finished the race in 20th place, with Jeff all way back in 25th.  Not to bad, however, the lap time wasn't great.  I was learning more and more about suspension and feel from the front end of the bike.  Shame about Jeff's bike, as we normally have some good races between us.

Up until now the day was running really smooth, every race went out on time, every race was a cracker and I was enjoying the day.  I was also proud of the fact that I was racing aggressive and I was maintaining a fast lap time every lap.  The next race, the Open Race, is more of fun race to get more laps under your belt.  I mean let’s face it when you are racing against 1000 cc bikes, on the track like Oulton Park, you don't really stand a chance.  Once they get on the back straights and they open up, they just pull away from us 600s.  But we'll give it a go.

I think somewhere high above God was looking down on me as I was seventh on the grid.  Jeff was miles down the track on something like 30th.  I knew the way things were going I wasn't going to see him the whole race.  So again I set about setting good lap times obviously deep down I was trying to break my lap record of 1.50.98.  I got a good start, despite the 1000cc's being quicker off the line and found myself in fourth place going into cascades.  Once out on the track, one by one they picked me off.  After just a couple of laps the race was red flagged. 

Now starts the pandemonium.  We lined back up on the grid after a few minutes wait at turn one.  Then the guy running the grid, came down and told all the riders what was about to happen. Just then the rider on the Kawasaki pulled off the grid and went out on his warm up lap, one by one all the other riders followed.  Frantically the marshals were waving red flags because there was still debris out on the track.  We had to make our way back to the start line for a second time.  After another couple of minutes waiting, I say a couple, it was probably more like 10.  We got going for another race.

Again after a couple of laps into the race, there was another red flag.  So again we lined up on the grid..  This was where all the confusion came in, most of the riders were starting to worry about fuel and one by one they pulled off the grid to the paddock to re-fuel.  This must have been a bad crash, because we seemed to be waiting forever.  Even the guy on pole retired, which was great for me because I moved up the pole.  Check me out.  That would have been a great photo. I don't think I'm going to get many of those in my career.  I took my gloves off and felt the tyres.  They were stone cold.  After a couple of guys got a bit hot headed about the cold tyres we were finally given 2 warm up laps. When the race eventually got underway,  I made another good start, or better than I used to anyway.  I thought I was holding my own against the 1000cc's, but as the race continued they eventually picked me off one by one.

I was finally happy with the new settings for the front and rear of the bike.  Although they were very close to the settings I had originally on the bike, I did get just a little bit more out her.  I could brake a little later, in every corner.  I did have a couple of dices with a few guys, they had their strong points I had mine.  Jeff on the other hand had pulled in after the first red flag.  His gearbox problem had become dangerous.  He couldn't change down to second or first at speed, so coming out of corners he was just bogging down.

I was a bit gutted I didn't beat my lap time of 1.50.98.  But on the other hand, I gained lot knowledge about my suspension setup of the bike.  As well as that, I lapped consistently at a very fast pace for the whole race, despite being very tired.  When I got back to the pits we packed up as quickly as possible.  Jeff and the gang all mucked in so we could get on our way to Cadwell Park.

Never mind Boothy there is always next time. 

CADWELL Park 8th June

After a three-hour drive to Lincoln, we stayed at my friend, Jules Crofts house.  Seeing as though he only lived 45 minutes down the road, it made sense to stay at his house rather than camp at Cadwell.  Tracey, his good lady got up at six in the morning to cook Pea and I, bacon and mushroom sandwiches.  Okay we left 15 minutes late, but it did set us up for the day.

We parked up in Jules’s little hideaway, under the trees.  What a little goldmine this was going to turn out to be, as the temperatures of the day started to sore.  We got to scrutineering, only to have the most awkward scrutineer in the world.  I know he's only doing his job and it is a job I am thankful for, however, there wasn't much time before I was out practising.  Bear in mind, I still had to change my gearing.  Once signed on, the bike was ready to race.  I could finally sit down.

I was pleased to find out that I actually had a qualifying session that morning, as I thought, as a Sunday only rider, I was expecting to start at the back row of the grid in every race.  At least, I wouldn't be on the back row for the open race.  Looking in the programme, I was starting in ninth on the grid for the 600 qualifying race.  Yeah baby!!!  I got practice out the way, dialled myself in with the different track.  I took it steady as I knew I’d be flying by the end of the day.

Qualifying was okay. I overtook a few slower riders, and wasn't actually overtaken myself.  Pea explained to me a new line around Charlie’s 1 and Charlie’s 2, which I experimented with and It worked.  The other area I tried to improve on was Chris's Curve.  I knew the last time I was at Cadwell, I lost a lot of time around Chris's curve.  I also lost time going through the goose neck, despite knowing it wasn't my fault.  I qualified something like 20th on the grid in the Open A final, two places ahead of my other arch nemesis, Jamie Adam.  Yeah baby!!!

I got back to the pits, made a few changes to the bike suspension. I softened off the rear of the bike, as the rear tyre was getting ripped up from the hammering it was getting around Chris's curve.  It was around this time that my sponsor Tim King, from TK com and his good lady Pam arrived in the paddock.  As well as the in-laws, Tony and Wendy McArdle.  It was good to see everyone.  However, it wasn't long before I was out in my 600 qualifying race.  Yet more drama at Cadwell.

The race started, and I made a good start, half way round the first lap I was in eighth position.  Then on the second lap coming out of the chicane just before the mountain, this guy three in front of me high sided.  The two guys in front of me unfortunately were pushed wide onto the grass to avoid hitting the bloke who high sided.  To be honest, I was just trying to avoid the carnage.  But in doing so I overtook two guys on the grass.  This put me in sixth position.  I got my head down and cracked on regardless thinking that some point I was bound to be black flagged for an unfair advantage.  However, the guy was spat so high into the air, that he actually really did hurt himself.  So the race was red flagged.

The race was re-run, although slightly shortened.  I got off the line, I thought okay, only to be overtaken by Furry.  Thing was, I knew he started way down the grid.  In my mind I was thinking that he jumped the start.  I know he's a novice, but a quick novice.  This made him an absolute nightmare to follow.  I just didn't know where he was going to go next.  I followed him for three laps, and then on the last lap I really want to get passed him.  He was fast down the straight; he had a very quick bike.  But I knew and could see I was carrying a lot more corner speed than him.  So I used this to my advantage.  By this time I was getting very confident around Chris's curve, I was doing what I had been told to do by Jules, and that was red line in fourth gear all the way round to the Gooseneck.  Any ground, furry had gained on me into Park bend, I made up around Chris's curve.  Only to my horror, Furry let off mid Gooseneck, and with nowhere to go I almost slammed into the back of him at speed.  (The memories).

I rolled enough to miss him, and tried to drive down into Mansfield.  I got along side furry, but could not overtake.  So in my mind.  I wanted to do the old KaKa manoeuvre and over take him at the bottom of the mountain.  But to do this I needed to drive hard out of the chicane.  I tried to carry as much corner speed as I could through the chicane, but did not judge furry's speed very well.  He was going fast into the chicane, but mid chicane he just stopped.  With nowhere to go, I had to do something  otherwise we both would have gone down and I probably would have caused a lot of damage to the bike.  Even though banked right over, I grabbed the front brake to avoid hitting furry.  I went down, I landed hard on my shoulder and tumbled like a little rag doll.  I was worried I was going to go back out onto the track and get run over.  But luckily I didn't.  But when I tried to pick myself up and get away from the track, all I could do was fall back over.  Three times I tried.  On the third time I just stayed there laughing.  The Marshal however was a bit concerned, worried that I may have hurt myself.  When the racing finished, I was allowed to ride back to the pits, which I did with a round of applause from the crowd.

Once back at the paddock, everyone was there waiting for me.  They knew I had crashed as they didn't see me on the last lap.  Tim was only thinking “how much is this going to cost me”.  But luckily for him and me the only damage to the bike was the screen.  The crash bungs had done their job.  So off I ran to Dennis Trollope and bought myself a new screen, and set to get the bike ready for the next race.  Always drama at Cadwell Park on a sunny day.

Up til now everything had been, bang bang bang.  We had been flat out from getting to the track to this point.  Finally we could calm down and have some time to ourselves.  It was at this point I could finally sit down with the in-laws and have a chat about our new house.  If you are reading this Tony and Wendy, thanks again for all your help.

The Phoenix Open Final.

I did, as you have already read, start somewhere like 20th on the grid, I can't remember to be honest.  And I don't really remember much about that race.  Except that one point in the race I was on my own.  With a clear track ahead of me and some guys in the distance I got my head down behind my new Pan European screen and got about chasing these guys ahead of me.  It was at this point I put in my fastest ever lap around Cadwell Park 1.40 something.  Three seconds a lap quicker than I had ever gone, which wasn't too bad considering I crashed the last time I was on the track.  But for me, I caught the three guys ahead of me.  And for three laps, I tried everything to overtake them.  I lunged here, I overtook there and eventually I overtook in places I've never over took before.  Once ahead of them, I pulled a three or four second lead over them.  Now, this write up doesn't give this race any justice.  It wasn't just one or two manoeuvres, I tried everything.  When I finally over took them it was the greatest feeling in the world.  I don't remember where I finished in the race, it doesn't matter where I finished, and all that matters was the fact that this was my best race ever.

Why was it the best, because it was my hardest circuit race I ever had.  I wasn't just the dicing one bloke, I was dicing with three.  With a little patience I finally got past them all.  It felt like I had won the world championship.

600 Final

Because I never actually finished my 600 qualifying race, I never qualified for the A final.  Except for the very first meeting on the 600 RR, I have only ever qualified for the A final.  The first time I ever qualified for a B final, I had to crash to do it.  Thing is with this brought pressure.  Everyone thought it was a foregone conclusion, that I would win this race.  Looking at the lap times of everyone in the race, I too thought I was going to win this race with these.  You live and learn.

While in the holding area, I noticed a 1000 cc Kawasaki sat waiting to go out onto the grid.  It was at that point I recognised the bike and knew this was no slow guy.  Oh well might not be as easy as I thought.  We lined up on the grid, and I knew I had to make a good start.  The Kawasaki was on pole, while I was in 18th on the grid, last place.  We set off on a warm up lap and straight away I blasted past many of the other riders.  But making sure I didn't get too carried away, warm up laps are not always a sign of what's about to occur.  By Charlie's 1, I was in second place following the Kawasaki.  Once on Park straight he opened up and just pulled away from me.  I used the rest of the practice lap to judge if I could carry enough corner speed to get back anything I lost down the straights.  We pulled up on the grid for the final time.  In the back of my mind I knew I could catch him from the mountain round to the start line.  All I had to do was make a good start and not let him get too far in the lead, otherwise I'd be in trouble.

I was more concerned that the pressure would get to me and I would fluff the start.  Lights came on, I held her at 7000 revs.  Lights went out and I blasted off the line.  It was mint; the front wheel lifted 1 foot off the deck and stayed there most the way down the start line.  By Coppice I was in 12th or 13th place.  I knew I couldn't let the thousand get ahead of me too far, so I just held it open and went around the outside of everyone on the right-hand side.  By Charlie’s 1, I was in third place.  I could see the thousand just up ahead in first, already I had made up the lost ground on him.  I just had to get this, the 600 out of the way.  I carried as much corner speed as I could onto Park straight, and chased the 600. 

Wherever he was braking I was braking later.  I just couldn't let the 1000cc get too far in the lead.  I broke a little later than usual into Park corner and almost ran off the track, but I held it together and got my head down and chased the Kawasaki.  Around Chris's curve I did hold my own, but the Kawasaki did have the legs on me.  However once we got round to the Gooseneck, he was mine.  From this point all the way round to the start straight, I gained on him.  In fact he held me up.  Especially at Hall bend, in the previous race oil had been spilled on the racing line all the way through Hall bend.  What I found was the thousand gingerly went through Hall.  I used this to my advantage and l set up for an overtake at the old hairpin.  The only thing was the first time through Hall at speed I lost the front over the cement dust.  Luckily I never went down, but my arse was twitching.  Hasten to say I didn't overtaking this lap.