Pembrey 25th April

To say that leaving home on Friday was frantic is a total understatement! I had hoped to flex off work early but that wasn't possible then to cap it off my fully loaded trailer had been locked away in a friends garage without hope off getting a key, I just flipped and attacked it with a crowbar just like Basil Fawlty did with that poor little car. It took about ten minutes to wrench the door off get my stuff out then write a grovelly little apology note,when you got to go racing you just got to go what ever happens!!
We arrived at the bar just after ten and that first pint didnt touch the sides, great to see everyone and we've brought Jonny along so he's getting loads of attention good time for me to go about setting up the new luxury accommodation (tent) which aint easy in the famous Pembrey wind but once up it coped really well with horrendous rain at 3am.
Practice went OK but the bike felt really soggy in the corners but I put this down to the wet tyres and I qualified 25th in the Open A final . Next was the 600 qualy heat which was great fun, was down on speed to the front bunch but ended up 7th I thought I had 6th in the bag but Jay Lewis came from miles back to take me on the outside at Honda on the last but one lap, very daring move that but he's an ex 125 rider so should have expected it.
We had a long break till the Open final but because of the strong wind the 125's were cancelled so the 600 final was straight after. I chose to do the start and 4 laps in the Open then pull in and get the warmers on for the 600 but this cunning plan went tits up when me and Darren were chatting away then heard the scream of 600's away from the line! We rushed down to the holding area but were turned away ,too late! bollocks. I went straight to the trailer to kick things around and swear loudly but was stopped by Darren from NG saying get yer gear back on the race has been stopped. This was magic but meant we had to start dead last of a full grid.
When the lights went out it was mayhem and ended up going over the grass then over shooting the hairpin. I was desperate to get past people and rode like a complete twat but loving every minute, I think I overshot the hairpin every single lap and only made it back up to 20th at the finish but who cares that was the most fun I've ever had on a bike.
Looking forward to Snetterton next month, might even be on a new bike, watch this space!

Mallory Park ACU Test

While I wouldn't fancy racing there, Mallory runs great test sessions on a Wednesday afternoon with 3 twenty minute blasts for £50.

There were some quality BSB riders and teams including Rob Mac Yam, Raceways and coolest of all Norton with Micheal Dunlop, that bike looks like a right contraption but he goes well enough on it!
Seeing all these trick bikes, I opted for the Inter group which suited me fine with loads of room and the bike went like a dream unlike my brothers car. First it wouldn't start then its gearbox seized when we tried to bump it with a JCB DOH!!!
Very expensive day but great to get back on the bike, can't wait till Pembrey