Took the bike up to Derbyshire on Friday to run it in and get the Power commander mapped.
As soon as Bruce fired it up he said that something was drastically wrong with the way it was running and I explained about the bike not wanting to tick over when cold and that it seemed to run very rich , this was confirmed after the first run, the power commander was way out and Bruce decided the best thing to do was disconnect it and run it without.
Luckily the bike already has the race kit ECU and was pre mapped to my Arrow race pipe so nothing needed doing to it. I could go down the road of buying all the software and leads to custom map the ECU but I was very happy with the power figures even though its still running slightly rich but this could be perfect once the ram air effect is accounted for.
So overall very pleased with the bike and sure it will be a lot faster than last season! Unfortunatly that where the good fortune ends as my usual van/car/trailer bad luck has hit again with the Transit just refusing to go, everybody that looked at it says it should go but still the bugger sits there. I might have to break a habit and pay someone to sort it but that will be tha absolute last resort.
8.2.10
6.2.10
11.12.09
December update
Not to much to report really. The engine is back in and sounding especially sweet after the re build and also re packing the exhaust which made a huge difference, perhaps I might not get the same hassle from the noise police next year. I've done the clutch modification that JT recommended but I think I'll leave the paintwork due to the fact I've smashed up every bike that that started the season nicely painted!
Luckily work has gone mad so I'm banging in the overtime and building up the race fund for next year and although the start of the season is months away I'm already excited about it. So lets get this Christmas thing out of the way and get cracking on next year!
3.11.09
Engine refresh
Just been to pick up the motor from JT Performance Centre in the Midlands and got to say I had a big smile on my face all the way home.
As soon as you walk into JT's work shop you can see that he's a proper engine builder, its more like a operating theatre than a garage with various Triumph engines in neat piles including top BSB Supersport rider James Westmorland's two motors.
JT went through everthing that he had done so meticulously and although I am now completely skint it was defiantly money well spent as the engine wouldn't have gone on much longer before it popped and that would have ended next season before it started.
As soon as you walk into JT's work shop you can see that he's a proper engine builder, its more like a operating theatre than a garage with various Triumph engines in neat piles including top BSB Supersport rider James Westmorland's two motors.
JT went through everthing that he had done so meticulously and although I am now completely skint it was defiantly money well spent as the engine wouldn't have gone on much longer before it popped and that would have ended next season before it started.
It needed new pistons, con rods, main bearings, gear selector and some gears but luckily JT had some used ones from his race team in great condition so this kept the price down a bit.
Overall then really skint but really pleased with the end result.
13.10.09
Weston Beach Race
Took all the family down to the sea side last Sunday to watch the madness that is the beach race. The weather man predicted a sunny day so we dressed accordingly so got totally soaked by the horizontal rain blowing off the sea.
I've competed at Weston six times and can honestly say its the biggest hit of adrenalin your body can handle, right from the moment you jostle for position at parc ferme to the log jam at the first dune you simply turn into a mad man. This feeling came back as we walked past all the riders getting ready to go and I really wanted to be in there with them.
We walked up the far end of the beach to find loads of people getting in for free, which is a bit annoying when you've just spent £50 to get in! but soon enough we could hear the roar of 500+ bikes charging up the mile long straight and then the leaders came past us and over the first dune making it look easy. After about ten went through the carnage began and the less skilled riders began the usual chaos. One guy got stuck halfway up and tried everything to get out but just got deeper and deeper up to the seat until it had calmed down and three Marshall's dug him out. The lad got his bike started and to the cheers of hundreds of fans he got over the dune but then fell off on the way down, Muppet!
It then went very quiet and rumour got back there had been a pile up at the start and it was red flagged. We waited two hours for the restart but realised it must have been bad as the race was cancelled. This is when all hell let loose with people demanding a refund and almost starting a riot, pretty shameful really when some riders were at deaths door but that's the great British public for you.
Turns out the crash was really bad and this could spell the end for the beach race due to bloody Health and Safety. This would be a shame as its an awesome event and I'd like to think I could compete again some day ,that's if road racing doesn't bankrupt me first!
29.9.09
23.9.09
21.9.09
Oulton Park
Another season comes to a close at the amazing Oulton Park in Cheshire, a long haul but defiantly worth it.
I'd booked the test day as last year I rode like a plank and just couldn't get to grips with this long and varied track. The best lap I could manage was 1m;55 way off the required times, my goal was 1m;52 ad a top 50% finish for my National licence signature.
The sun shone all day for testing and everything felt great although there was no timing I felt like I was riding good. The corners I struggled with last time made a bit more sense and I was really enjoying myself even though the mother of all colds was taking root in my head.
The best bit of the day was the final session where the sunlight was just twinkling through the trees at the Clay Hill, Druids section as you hurtled though at 100+MPH it felt really special and like this is what its all about!
After cleaning the bike and going through scrutineering everyone else went off to the bar but I felt so rough that I just curled up and watched a film in the caravan, sad or what?
We had a rude awakening at 6am when they turned on the paddock lights which was a mega bright sodium bulb zapping straight into the caravan waking my little boy up so he started balling but I was blinded so couldn't find the window screen, not a good way to start the day!!
I usually get nervous before practice but it was much worse this time, I actually felt fear creeping in as we assembled for practice and I wobbled around forgetting everything that was learned yesterday but I had an hour and a half before the first race to sort my head out which I'm happy to say I did quite well.
For the Sound of Thunder qualifying race I was on the forth row in 13th but the old Trumpet got off the line like a rocket and I tucked in behind the lead group and felt quite comfortable holding position. My new sparring partner Robert Bowen tried a move at Shell but I saw his wheel and tightened my line but could do nothing when Aaron Ridewood came by on his way to finishing 4th. By the last lap I was really enjoying it and was even catching the front guys but was happy to finish 7th just behind Greg Gibson and smash my best lap time with a 1m;50 lap.
The 600 quali race was to be an exercise in survival with a handful of BSB riders at the back of the grid who were going to be charging through the pack looking for a good grid spot in the final and sure enough my ears are still ringing with the sound of tortured R6 ridden by teenage loonies flying past. By the last lap flag I was dizzy and glad to finish so had to go through the whole sort my head out business over dinner.
I lined up in 7th position for the SoT Final and got hell of a start up to 3rd and held it until the first chicane where 3 Ducati bullies pushed me out and got by, I got back in the rhythm and chased after them until we got to Druids where I saw Greg Gibson flying through the air in a really nasty high side. This brought out the red flags and we were held at the back of the circuit while the ambulance picked him up.
For the re start I got the same drive off the line and had that lovely feeling of not many bikes being around in the first corner but it didn't last as 3 Dukes and a KTM had me on the straight so for 3 laps I had Aaron and Lee Watts just in front until Lee gave me a cheeky look back and took Aaron then buggered off. I could see Aaron was having tyre problems and got him in to the first right hander but was sure he would come back. The last lap was hell, I made so many mistakes but it felt like I'd won when I crossed the line in 5th. This is the best I've ever ridden and cracking way to end the season.
I'd booked the test day as last year I rode like a plank and just couldn't get to grips with this long and varied track. The best lap I could manage was 1m;55 way off the required times, my goal was 1m;52 ad a top 50% finish for my National licence signature.
The sun shone all day for testing and everything felt great although there was no timing I felt like I was riding good. The corners I struggled with last time made a bit more sense and I was really enjoying myself even though the mother of all colds was taking root in my head.
The best bit of the day was the final session where the sunlight was just twinkling through the trees at the Clay Hill, Druids section as you hurtled though at 100+MPH it felt really special and like this is what its all about!
After cleaning the bike and going through scrutineering everyone else went off to the bar but I felt so rough that I just curled up and watched a film in the caravan, sad or what?
We had a rude awakening at 6am when they turned on the paddock lights which was a mega bright sodium bulb zapping straight into the caravan waking my little boy up so he started balling but I was blinded so couldn't find the window screen, not a good way to start the day!!
I usually get nervous before practice but it was much worse this time, I actually felt fear creeping in as we assembled for practice and I wobbled around forgetting everything that was learned yesterday but I had an hour and a half before the first race to sort my head out which I'm happy to say I did quite well.
For the Sound of Thunder qualifying race I was on the forth row in 13th but the old Trumpet got off the line like a rocket and I tucked in behind the lead group and felt quite comfortable holding position. My new sparring partner Robert Bowen tried a move at Shell but I saw his wheel and tightened my line but could do nothing when Aaron Ridewood came by on his way to finishing 4th. By the last lap I was really enjoying it and was even catching the front guys but was happy to finish 7th just behind Greg Gibson and smash my best lap time with a 1m;50 lap.
The 600 quali race was to be an exercise in survival with a handful of BSB riders at the back of the grid who were going to be charging through the pack looking for a good grid spot in the final and sure enough my ears are still ringing with the sound of tortured R6 ridden by teenage loonies flying past. By the last lap flag I was dizzy and glad to finish so had to go through the whole sort my head out business over dinner.
I lined up in 7th position for the SoT Final and got hell of a start up to 3rd and held it until the first chicane where 3 Ducati bullies pushed me out and got by, I got back in the rhythm and chased after them until we got to Druids where I saw Greg Gibson flying through the air in a really nasty high side. This brought out the red flags and we were held at the back of the circuit while the ambulance picked him up.
For the re start I got the same drive off the line and had that lovely feeling of not many bikes being around in the first corner but it didn't last as 3 Dukes and a KTM had me on the straight so for 3 laps I had Aaron and Lee Watts just in front until Lee gave me a cheeky look back and took Aaron then buggered off. I could see Aaron was having tyre problems and got him in to the first right hander but was sure he would come back. The last lap was hell, I made so many mistakes but it felt like I'd won when I crossed the line in 5th. This is the best I've ever ridden and cracking way to end the season.
12.9.09
Donington Park trackday
Billed as the last ever chance to ride the famous GP circuit before the bulldozers move in to strip it back to dull F1 standards the day was always going to be packed and full of trackday hero's with a point to prove and sure enough it didn't disappoint!
I did try to sell my space to put towards some new tyres but no joy so I gave it a go. Any way the weather was looking good and I really wanted to put my bad performance here last year behind me so got stuck in.
The morning sessions were all marred by red flags caused by first lap hero's to the point of getting everyone together for a right royal bollocking from Mark the organiser who didn't mince his words about taking the idiots in hand and I couldn't agree with him more. The standard of some of the riding at track days especially the Inter group is awful, some guys just seem to have something to prove and ride way above their skill levels and wreck the session for every one else. I rode in the Advanced group but even then one guy managed to go on the grass in the sighting lap!.
When we did get a full session though the circuit is fantastic, the feeling you get hammering down Craner Curves is unbelievable and just knowing that Rossi, Lorenzo etc. were all binning it here a few weeks ago is priceless.
As the day went on and I learnt the track I could stay with some of the faster guys in the group without pushing to hard but when an instructor offered to show me the right lines I struggled to keep up, the fact that he'd done a bizillion laps and I'd ridden there once before didn't enter his head so I let him clear off.
Overall a good day on a great track but I'm sure I'll stick to racing as you don't seem to get the problems with big egos as the race results tell the story not by bragging about what laps times you have done.
That's off my chest now and I feel much better. Oulton Park next week and back to the real deal!
I did try to sell my space to put towards some new tyres but no joy so I gave it a go. Any way the weather was looking good and I really wanted to put my bad performance here last year behind me so got stuck in.
The morning sessions were all marred by red flags caused by first lap hero's to the point of getting everyone together for a right royal bollocking from Mark the organiser who didn't mince his words about taking the idiots in hand and I couldn't agree with him more. The standard of some of the riding at track days especially the Inter group is awful, some guys just seem to have something to prove and ride way above their skill levels and wreck the session for every one else. I rode in the Advanced group but even then one guy managed to go on the grass in the sighting lap!.
When we did get a full session though the circuit is fantastic, the feeling you get hammering down Craner Curves is unbelievable and just knowing that Rossi, Lorenzo etc. were all binning it here a few weeks ago is priceless.
As the day went on and I learnt the track I could stay with some of the faster guys in the group without pushing to hard but when an instructor offered to show me the right lines I struggled to keep up, the fact that he'd done a bizillion laps and I'd ridden there once before didn't enter his head so I let him clear off.
Overall a good day on a great track but I'm sure I'll stick to racing as you don't seem to get the problems with big egos as the race results tell the story not by bragging about what laps times you have done.
That's off my chest now and I feel much better. Oulton Park next week and back to the real deal!
8.9.09
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