Lily
Pink Totty
An ‘interesting’ weekend!!
After a visit to sunny Wales last weekend for a first experience of Pembrey I quite liked the circuit but was praying that we could have some decent weather or it would be a nightmare!
Managed to get away earlier on Friday so we arrived at Pembrey by 6.30, found Chass who had saved us a big spot and got set up and scrutineered.
Awake bright and early on Saturday and it’s sunny – wooohooo!! Got some new boots on and ready for an early qualifying. Saturday is non championship for us so good practice and chance to get up to speed.
Qualifying and I am scrubbing new tyres then bogged with traffic every lap so no expectations, only to find I am 5th on grid – good effort but slow times…hmmm
First race and it’s a flag start. I am on outside of track and everyone goes past before I wake up. I set off on a mission for the first corner which is a 2ng gear tight hairpin. Sadly, with my view blocked by other riders I came through the pack at a rate of knots and found the apex about 10 ft away before I braked..with the back wheel in the air and the front sliding it wasn’t looking good, but by some miracle I made it round the corner and set off to get up to speed. Pretty soon I was into 5th place and Ali B was in sight. I was with him for a bit and he had a nasty moment out of the old hairpin when I could have got him, but he is a determined lad and with no points at stake I didn’t want to risk it. I took a glance behind and had space so settled back and brought it home in 5th my best result, if only it was points scoring ☹
Before I comment on race 2, I should apologise to the other riders for my effort in the first corner – it wasn’t big and it wasn’t clever and I won’t do it again!!
Race 2 and a better start but Andy Shep had got away well so after a bit of a fight with Rich C I was in 6th when I looked behind to see Rattler right on my tail. Bob was waving frantically and I thought ‘yeah yeah I know!!!’ Rattler passed lovely into the hairpin and I tucked in to follow him. Last lap and Rich C comes past – arrg I’m not having that!! Some good close dicing and I get past him exiting the left handers and have to protect my line to the finish to get 7th place – again a great result with no points ☹
Saturday was my birthday so I had already been treated to some lovely gifts and some great cards and well wishes. After a fantastic dinner of steak and champagne I was dragged outside to be humiliated in front of everyone singing happy birthday and then made to bounce around on my birthday present – a space hopper!!
Thanks so much to everyone that wished me well, got me cards or cakes etc, mucho appreciated and made it a great birthday!!
Sunday morning and again it’s dry and sunny. Late qualifying and I am struggling to get any free track when it’s red flagged. Nasty crash and we are all hoping they are ok. Back out on track and still struggling with space so just try to make the best of it I get a huge slide on the front into the left hander and it scares the crap out of me. 8th on the grid this time.
Cracking start (for me anyway) on race 1 and I manage to pass a few to get into 10th AK and Tim are just in front and then AliB and Freak just in front so we have a good opportunity for some racing!!. I start pushing and manage to get past Rattler as he is all over the back of Ali trying to find space. We spend a few laps with us all pushing hard and some good passing and defensive lines. It’s clear by now we won’t catch Jon and Ali so need to focus on our group.
Last lap and I manage to get to the front out of the hairpin. I get my head down and try to protect my lines. Old hairpin and AK comes past at speed. Too hot to make apex he takes it wide and I exit right on his tail but can’t pass. I know Tim is right behind so I just stick with Ali and try to get up through the gears. Last corner (Honda Curve) and I know I am not good in, but get excellent drive out. I accept I can’t get past AK so aim for speed to stay in front of Rattler. AK goes in with tons of speed and is miles from the apex, I try not to follow and hit my line and head down to drive knowing Tim is right behind. AK is way off left after running deep so I set my sight on the line knowing I had it if I kept my head down when suddenly there is a huge bang on my leg as AK has come back from left and we met on the same bit of tarmac ☹ I get a huge wobble but cross the line. I turn back to see AK on the floor I was gutted ☹ Back in paddock and I have a dead leg but worried about AK. He returns looking a bit battered and sets off for home via A&E to get sorted. I finish 8th but it doesn’t feel that good ☹
Second race and I just couldn’t get my head straight after the incident. First corner and I get freaked by bikes near me so back off. I do a lap then decide there is no point as my head is just not with it and I am fluffing gears and lines all over the place. I come in and watch the rest of the race.
So, a mixed bag of a weekend tbh!! Best wishes for all the fallers and hope everyone heals quickly. Huge thanks to Bob and Viv for looking after us all weekend. To Jon for a great birthday and to Nige and family for making me laugh on Saturday night!
Roll on Brands!!
After a visit to sunny Wales last weekend for a first experience of Pembrey I quite liked the circuit but was praying that we could have some decent weather or it would be a nightmare!
Managed to get away earlier on Friday so we arrived at Pembrey by 6.30, found Chass who had saved us a big spot and got set up and scrutineered.
Awake bright and early on Saturday and it’s sunny – wooohooo!! Got some new boots on and ready for an early qualifying. Saturday is non championship for us so good practice and chance to get up to speed.
Qualifying and I am scrubbing new tyres then bogged with traffic every lap so no expectations, only to find I am 5th on grid – good effort but slow times…hmmm
First race and it’s a flag start. I am on outside of track and everyone goes past before I wake up. I set off on a mission for the first corner which is a 2ng gear tight hairpin. Sadly, with my view blocked by other riders I came through the pack at a rate of knots and found the apex about 10 ft away before I braked..with the back wheel in the air and the front sliding it wasn’t looking good, but by some miracle I made it round the corner and set off to get up to speed. Pretty soon I was into 5th place and Ali B was in sight. I was with him for a bit and he had a nasty moment out of the old hairpin when I could have got him, but he is a determined lad and with no points at stake I didn’t want to risk it. I took a glance behind and had space so settled back and brought it home in 5th my best result, if only it was points scoring ☹
Before I comment on race 2, I should apologise to the other riders for my effort in the first corner – it wasn’t big and it wasn’t clever and I won’t do it again!!
Race 2 and a better start but Andy Shep had got away well so after a bit of a fight with Rich C I was in 6th when I looked behind to see Rattler right on my tail. Bob was waving frantically and I thought ‘yeah yeah I know!!!’ Rattler passed lovely into the hairpin and I tucked in to follow him. Last lap and Rich C comes past – arrg I’m not having that!! Some good close dicing and I get past him exiting the left handers and have to protect my line to the finish to get 7th place – again a great result with no points ☹
Saturday was my birthday so I had already been treated to some lovely gifts and some great cards and well wishes. After a fantastic dinner of steak and champagne I was dragged outside to be humiliated in front of everyone singing happy birthday and then made to bounce around on my birthday present – a space hopper!!
Thanks so much to everyone that wished me well, got me cards or cakes etc, mucho appreciated and made it a great birthday!!
Sunday morning and again it’s dry and sunny. Late qualifying and I am struggling to get any free track when it’s red flagged. Nasty crash and we are all hoping they are ok. Back out on track and still struggling with space so just try to make the best of it I get a huge slide on the front into the left hander and it scares the crap out of me. 8th on the grid this time.
Cracking start (for me anyway) on race 1 and I manage to pass a few to get into 10th AK and Tim are just in front and then AliB and Freak just in front so we have a good opportunity for some racing!!. I start pushing and manage to get past Rattler as he is all over the back of Ali trying to find space. We spend a few laps with us all pushing hard and some good passing and defensive lines. It’s clear by now we won’t catch Jon and Ali so need to focus on our group.
Last lap and I manage to get to the front out of the hairpin. I get my head down and try to protect my lines. Old hairpin and AK comes past at speed. Too hot to make apex he takes it wide and I exit right on his tail but can’t pass. I know Tim is right behind so I just stick with Ali and try to get up through the gears. Last corner (Honda Curve) and I know I am not good in, but get excellent drive out. I accept I can’t get past AK so aim for speed to stay in front of Rattler. AK goes in with tons of speed and is miles from the apex, I try not to follow and hit my line and head down to drive knowing Tim is right behind. AK is way off left after running deep so I set my sight on the line knowing I had it if I kept my head down when suddenly there is a huge bang on my leg as AK has come back from left and we met on the same bit of tarmac ☹ I get a huge wobble but cross the line. I turn back to see AK on the floor I was gutted ☹ Back in paddock and I have a dead leg but worried about AK. He returns looking a bit battered and sets off for home via A&E to get sorted. I finish 8th but it doesn’t feel that good ☹
Second race and I just couldn’t get my head straight after the incident. First corner and I get freaked by bikes near me so back off. I do a lap then decide there is no point as my head is just not with it and I am fluffing gears and lines all over the place. I come in and watch the rest of the race.
So, a mixed bag of a weekend tbh!! Best wishes for all the fallers and hope everyone heals quickly. Huge thanks to Bob and Viv for looking after us all weekend. To Jon for a great birthday and to Nige and family for making me laugh on Saturday night!
Roll on Brands!!
:hail: 