Freaks DD Cadwell Race report

[Freak]

It's gonna be a long one so grab a cuppa first

Part I

I've yet to write a race report this season and after Cadwell the last round I think it's about time I did, so it's no short story.

I have to start by saying some of you will have been unlucky enough to see me at the DSC trackday at Cadwell and you may recall I wasn't best pleased with myself, to be honest I had no desire to go to Cadwell, everytime I've been before to watch BSB and club races alike it's always been wet, windy, cold and gloomy the DSC days were on par with those memories, the bike wasn't handling well and I just couldn't or wouldn't get my head round the circuit, Chass happily reminded everyone this weekend my closing comment was along the lines of hoping never to return! So I must apologise now

Well wind forward a month or so, the suspension had been sorted thanks to a trip to the purple ones, and last Monday Chass, Claire and myself ventured back over to do a trackday with No Limits, no expectations, no pressure just fun and in all honesty it was the best trackday I think we've all had all year, it was actually sunny and warm a bonus for Cadwell, this boosted confidence and the Friday ACU day was something to look forward too!

The Friday ACU day was great for me but groundhog day for Claire, two slow off's at the hairpin luckily she wasn't hurt and the bike has superficial damage ahead of the weekend, we had no idea if we were riding well with decent times so all we could do was wait for Saturday.

Luckily we had the luxury of a hotel and Friday evening meant a curry in Louth with Ian and MartinH, the morning saw more clear skies and with qualifying fairly late on my mood was good, I knew today wasn't going to be a full grid and no points but at least some of the main rivals throughout the year would be there.

Eric the red had been a nemesis for a few rounds and we'd exchanged some good passes along the way so banter resumed and in the back of my mind I had to beat him (Sorry Eric), qualifying was underway and young Matt passed me at the hairpin I knew he was quick so gave chase hoping he could toe me round only to see him and Dave Ainscough swap paint at Charlies 1 and head of to look at the scenery together, damn that toe didn't last long LOL! I'd got no idea where I was on the grid but after splitting A and B I was 10th, great I thought that'll do

Race 1 came and went before I could catch my breath, my start was average not that they're great at the best of times the battle was on with Eric and I glided by without too much effort, did he miss a gear? or more to the point when's he gonna stuff me up the inside? With Rich deciding he'd have a rest at the Gooseneck I'd gained a place early on, he was on his feet throwing the toys out of the pram so at least I knew he was fine the flippin' idiot, the race seemed to drag on and on, 6 laps of the technical Lincoln circuit doesn't half take it out of you let me tell you, I was glad to see the last lap flag and a sneaky look back over the start/finish confirmed I could slow down just a bit, eventually bagging 7th place my highest placing all year at that point I was chuffed but it also felt a bit hollow knowing the grid wasn't complete.

Race 2 was a tougher affair the start must of been worse and I got held up only to see the target getting away, Eric had done one and once I was free of the pack all my focus was on catching the silver bullet, I knew then that it was going to take a mistake on his part for me to catch him there simply wasn't enough laps to pull back that gap so I raise my hat to you young sir but we would continue that fight on Sunday, 10th was where I ended up not great given 7th in the first race but this was now 3 top tens on the bounce something on my wish list all year.

After all of the usual stories the swapping of heroic tales of battling lines we departed back to Louth for another curry, the same curry house in fact but this time they were on a go slow Claire was tired and starting to stiffen up after her Friday off's so an early night was had ready for point scoring day

 

[Freak]

Part II

Rumour in the paddock was Sunday was gonna be wet, something I had dreaded all year I just don't do wet plus Martin and I had had a bet that he was feeling confident to get a Top 10 at Cadwell money was the gamble a whole £10 who says us Northerners aren't big spenders eh? I awoke and speedily opened the curtains to see those familiar grey skies, the two previous sun filled days meant nothing now and the reality hit home it was depressing to say the least. We packed and headed for the circuit driving along I could see something on the horizon, something spectacular, were my eyes deceiving me? was that curry playing tricks on the mind as well and downstairs? A faint orange/red glow rolled across the undulating scenery as we neared the circuit, yes rubbing my eyes there was sun, sun breaking through my prayers had been answered, with qualifying at 9am I was hoping the ground would be dry, I expected the times to be down so this was a blessing.

We quickly arrived boyant in the paddock, Chass quickly rustled up a cuppa and before long qualifying began, the red skies must of played with my brain because the red mist reared it's head too, I wanted to get clear of the pack and I could see a few quick boys (and girls) ahead of me I didn't want to let them get away, I gave chase I remember passing Woodsy into the hairpin (now the Clairepin....sorry) and buggered off as fast as the bike would carry me, I stayed out until the end with no real feeling of how I'd done, I rode like I stole it but where would that put me?

Back in the paddock DCR appeared (a bit like the shop keeper in Mr Benn) to inform me that somehow I had bagged 6th place, I couldn't believe it considering how much I'd hated the place a few weeks before, the rollercoaster was well and truly underway with few rock anthems some flourescent headbanging I was ready (it was I had to be there moment)

Race 1, well before race one I asked Doug if he could give me some visual info from pit wall which was much appreciated, it was great to be back with riders I aspire to be with week in week out, Stumpy to my right and Rattler to my left the lights go out and I dump the clutch and the forks extend and the front wheel goes skyward not the start I was hoping for entered my head let me tell you, the bike veers to the left as I my right foot was still on the ground I shut the throttle hard, she comes crashing down I've not lost much ground so pin the throttle again and deja vu the front wheel launches itself again this time bowing from left to right and again the throttle is chopped the pack is vanishing and third time lucky I get away. I've lost so many places Eric is off into the distance probably laughing to himself and my next big concern was Claire then if I was really unlucky Martin on the Multi, I tipped into Coppice and the big red fun bus appeared on my right and chopped in front ready for Charlies 1, I had to go wide to let parcelforce through then another wheel appeared a Bondloc sticker came into view either Ian had a really bad start or it was Claire, the bum and pony tail gave it away yes Ian had had a lousy start (joke) and I was mugged by the pair of them in 50 yards or so. I knew I had to get good drive out of Charlies two to try and get past the fun bus into Park corner, I had the drive and past I went only to have my nose cut off on the brakes into Park, I settled in behind and took a wide line round the red bohemoth around Chris curve, Claire came into view and I dove across in front of Martin at the Gooseneck, Stumpy was down but OK, no time to think I wasn't too concerned about Claire yet more concerned the big red Venga bus was coming, he'd been bragging all weekend how easy he was passing people at Mansfield so I knew he was gonna make a pass I tried to cover my line but sure enough he went round the outside, the rosy red Godzilla came back into view but he'd run it wide and couldn't commit the overtake, from that moment I knew he was done and after Claire I went. The obvious passing place was the Clairepin sorry hairpin I knew it she knew it but she didn't stop me coming through, the next few laps flew by needless to say I could see and was slowly catching the 3 way battle between Nick, Tim and Chris Doug was waving his arms from the pit wall telling me I had a good gap behind and to back it off, but with Woodsy in a battle you never know what you might be gifted hahaha, but the boy rode good they all did and I had to settle for 7th place, another 7th amazing and another top 10 finish.

Race 2 a better start but still not a Trouty special all I can really recall was seeing Nick and thinking I could have him, I was trying to line him up for a pass at the hairpin this started way back at Mansfield but I messed the chicane up and he pull 20 yards back on me it took all my concentration not to let him go and as we entered Charlies 1 and 2 I was back on him, the long drag up Park straight paid dividends into Park corner, it felt easy maybe it was I couldn't let up because I knew Nick wasn't going to back down, the next lap I could see number 42, crikey it's Ian it was a big ask but I had to try I knew laps were against me and time was quickly running out, I knew Nick wasn't going to give up either Doug was signalling I had a gap but daren't give up the fight the last lap flag appeared and I tried my hardest just to stay smooth until the chequered flag appeared. As I powered out of Barn for the last time it signalled not only the end of the race but also the end of my first season in DD, I'd managed to get up to 6th place my highest finish all year and another top 10.

The season certainly ended with a high and even moreso given my thoughts about Cadwell months previously, it's one where I'm already looking forward to going back to strangely.

So if you're still reading this you deserve a trophy!

The journey home was filled with more stories of gargantuan battles something I love about DD so many view points from so many riders.

Now time for a quick thanks

Finally I must say a HUGH big thanks to Chass, OD2, Pondstart, Bondloc, J&I Pipework Services for all of their support and help this year.

To EVERYONE in the paddock, Alan/Charlotte for being you, Bev and Murray, Bones for always smiling, The Birdman for all his amazing insight and guidance, Uncle Steve for banging my head against the wall on more than one occasion, Doug for doing his birdie song impressions, Chris, Tim for always having some titbit of advice, Ali for his laugh... nice T*ts! Dom for his tips here and there and texts of encouragement throughout the year, Couchie and Lucie for words of wisdom all year although the cat food burgers at Brands need to mentioned LOL Stumpy for always being one of the first to come over and perk me up you rode damn well this year fella, obviously I must mention your better half too, Eric for being a good target which I'm sure I must be for him too, Martin for riding the wheels off that thing, the MT for putting this great series together, NE for great races.

And finally the biggest thanks goes to Lily, my Claire for kicking me up the backside and getting me out there in the first place just slow down a bit eh?

#41

 

[dseered]

Well done to you both for being out there and mixing it with the best of 'em !

 

[eonan]

Cheers for taking the time to post this, it makes great reading...and really well done to both of you