NO RED FLAGS!

It’s true - not only did the sun shine, a cooling breeze waft gently over the circuit and beautiful blonde ladies ride their bikes around the circuit with panache, but we had no stoppages – unbelievable!

In fact, by 3.00 p.m., no-one had even left the tarmac except for one brief grass tracking episode, I was of course counting my chickens as we whispered to one another – “3.00 p.m. and no-one’s fallen off. Could this be a record?”

Well it is a record because although three people had fallen off by the close of play, they had done so very conveniently and without injury (so no ambulances – the paramedics were looking bored) and with one exception, little damage to machinery. Conveniently because in each case, they managed to end up in places where they were no danger to the other riders, so the fun could continue until the end of the session.

The fun, as usual, commenced the evening before at the Admiral Rodney in Horncastle. About twenty of us turned up for responsible alcohol consumption and dinner. This year we failed to arrange a video replay of the afternoon’s BSB and MotoGP, but that didn’t stop people discussing it in anorak detail of course.

Dinner was good, when it finally arrived, an hour and a half after we sat down, and it was an extremely sociable occasion. Being Cadwell next day, everyone was astonished by the good weather and upbeat forecast for the morrow. Strangely, when at about 10.30 the heavens opened and we heard the familiar drumming of rain on the canopy over the dining room, everyone burst into spontaneous applause – the return of an old friend.

The morning dawned dry and warm and breakfast was a rather prompter affair. Peter and Justine did the right thing and eschewed cooked breakfast so that they could get to the circuit in time to open shop at 7.30 a.m. – no luck – unfortunately they were locked out of the canteen until 8.00 a.m. (breakfast was very good too!).

No Ian Fox at sign on – T-boned by a car the week before and nursing a broken collar bone and chipped ankle. He still rides to the surgery though – get better soon Ian.

And what a day! Lovely weather, responsible riders, plenty of space on track and an interesting new chicane to learn between Mansfield and Mountain; not helped by a rather late turn in cone.

A few vignettes:-

Only one person without a driving licence – novice Alex de Rijke. The new system whereby the circuit listen into the confirmatory conversation with DLA worked well. He went on to ride his BMV exceptionally well and was complimented for his skill by instructor Chris Foster – the compliments were mutual. Alex was fulsome in his praise of Chris’ professionalism.
Chris Hendy – black flagged when the zip attaching jacket to trousers gave up the ghost. Day saved by Janet Bradbury who had a spare pair of leather trousers with a matching zip. Quite a good fit too – except in the derriere department!
Steve Barnes – one of the traffic cops we let out for a session with the fast boys on Pan Europeans a few years ago. He told me he had enjoyed it so much he decided to do it properly some time. He was also so impressed with our organisation that he decided he had to do it with us. Now he has, on his Aprilia 250. Bit of a change from a Pan European with blue flashing lights.
Bob Dixon – jogging out of the paddock to go fetch a rubber wedge from his bike reportedly picked up by a marshal. He looked really fetching in his black semi see through Kushitani long johns.
Mike Buchan – a Scot, on his Scottish flag liveried GSX 750 with a video camera in a neat box under the seat back and the lens unit built into the fairing.
Aidan Walker – got his knees down.
Peter Davis presented me with a pair of “L-plate” knee sliders (presumably deserved) and I was unable to scrape the pesky L off them—like Brighton Rock it goes all the way through!

High point of the day award must however go to David Cooper who borrowed Terry Harris’ brand new (450 miles on the clock, still running in, pride and joy) Aprilia Mille RSV “Factory” and fell off exiting Barn. Fortunately this was a low friction event and the only damage sustained seemed to be a missing indicator.

Gentleman of the day award must go to Terry, who was still smiling and, unbelievably, insisted that I took it out in the next session.

David and Terry have long said that they had to come up with something to ensure a “mention in despatches” – ace boys, I couldn’t have planned it better myself!

Apart from the indicator, the only other bike damage on the day was to Nick Stirrup’s R1 which succumbed to a possibly over enthusiastic right hand on the exit from Mansfield, but who, as previously observed, was thoughtful enough to cross the circuit and slide 50 yards up the grass bank (out of danger) before coming to rest – he suffered nothing, it suffered fairing and lighting damage only.

Now to the housekeeping – first photos. If you missed that knee down moment or front wheel pawing the air on Mountain, do not despair – an e-mailed description of your bike and your leathers to Stuart on snorris @ netcomuk.co.uk will bring proofs to choose from.

Second, the usual stuff – comments on this report (not bookings) to me at sadoldgit @ megalith.plus.com, Comments on instructing to mike.edwards @ mjeonline.co.uk

Third, Pembrey on Monday July 5th, a lovely circuit and new to most of you. There will be lots of space and we’ve organized a good hotel for the night before. It’s the Strady Park Hotel, Furnace, Llanelli 01554 758171 email: reservations @ stradyparkhotel.com and just perfect after that Sunday afternoon rideout to get down there.

Finally, we really need you at Brands on the 17th June – it’s only Ł149 and I really am promised the lovely Amina and friends as brolly girls as well as the chance to mix it with the BSB people who will be setting up for the 19th in the other pit garages. It’s now so late that it will have to be cash on the day and don’t forget to give us a ring on 08700 750 950 to check availability in your chosen group as cash on day is always first come first served on the morning.

See you (and lots of your friends) there.

Geoff