YOU MENTIONED INCOMPETENCE - WHAT ABOUT STUPIDITY?

The first question was directed to me immediately after the briefing. It was followed by: “Do you know where I might be able to buy a road can?” Whilst I applaud this rider’s accuracy in his assessment of the situation which led to him arriving at CC with that special straight through sport can I am unable to report whether he found a suitable replacement. I can however report that no one failed the noise test — eventually, one bike at its sixth attempt and after the insertion of much baffle tape — so I must assume he succeeded. I directed him to Jacqui, the restaurant manageress — for Yellow Pages, not because she runs a sideline in road legal silencers.

It would be unfair to mention Ian Lishman and stupidity in the same breath. I was told however that when seeking assistance in finding his misplaced earplugs he had some difficulty in hearing some of the advice he was being given. I need not, in these circumstances reveal where the errant plugs were eventually located — or if you need to ask me……………

Then of course there was the stupid old git, so pleased with the fantastic full page spread of him on his bike on the title page of Gambalunga magazine, that he just had to show everyone at dinner at the Crown on the night before and some, for the second time, on the day itself. Really sad. The picture, taken by our own previous photographer Stuart Norris was entitled “Nearly knee down”. If I tell you that Gambalunga is the organ of Moto Guzzi Club GB and that I think the picture would have been better entitled “Just Lifting Off” you may guess the name of the sad old git concerned — the Data Protection Act prevents me revealing it.

The Crown Hotel, our safe haven after escaping from the White Hart, provided very satisfactory food and beer but limited accommodation. We gather from those that stayed at the nearby Jolly Huntsman that it has more rooms but might not have been able to lay on dinner on one table for the sixteen that dined at the Crown. Ever anxious to satisfy our very demanding clientele we will continue to seek out the perfect venue for future eve of Castle Combe celebrations.

Ian Lishman, sorry to mention him again, was at the Crown but only for supper. He thought he was staying at the White Hart but they had no record of his booking. He hoped that one of us might be able to guess where he had booked but no luck. He was thus reduced to the ignominy of approaching the bar to ask whether they could give him the names of all the local hotels in case he recognised one. Fortunately he did. More fortunately they recognised him when he got there.

It poured all night. The forecast was appalling. Light rain on Sunday evening and most of Monday, heavy rain thereafter. The car park was awash at breakfast but the rain had stopped. The sky did not look good. By 8.30 there were patches of blue. By 9.00 the circuit was nearly dry. By the time I went out with the first lot of novices at 10.00 it was dry — and it stayed dry and mostly sunny until 4pm.Totally unbelievable and extremely lucky.

Ian Lishman was extremely lucky (I too am getting fed up with mindless repetition, we did have other riders) in that he won the first ever Folly raffle — a free day of his choice. We suggested the seaside, or Mallory if he insisted. He insisted — Brands Hatch. Not because it is more expensive than Mallory but because he thought it fitting to use his prize to exorcise his gravel trap ghost. See 2004 Brands Report and the photo on the website. We were trialling the raffle. It was fun. We’ll do it again.

Not so lucky was our only faller of the day, my partner Nigel Craig (law firm type partner). It is of course unlucky to fall at all but he managed to come off his Ducati S4 twice — first at Quarry (touched silencer to tarmac and fell), second on the splendidly named Folly (experienced the mid corner wobble, for which it is notorious, and fell). Not since fabled Fred, who it was suggested once fell off four times at Brands, have we had a twice a day man at a Folly day.

At Quarry he was probably doing 30mph by the time he actually fell off on the grass. On Folly probably something over 100. The bike was undamaged first time so I was able to take it out next session “to check it’s ok”. It was extremely ok. Trailered home after Folly. He is bruised but unbroken.

Ian Fox saw it happen at Quarry; chief instructor Mike Edwards saw it at Folly. The S4 (998 engined Monster) is very light on the front end, has almost non-existent steering damping, and has heavy engine braking when rolling off the throttle. It needs to be kept on power. The consensus is that Nigel reacted to both events by shutting down and paid the price. A photo of Nigel in pre-accident action on the S4 appears on the website gallery.

The day was otherwise dominated by good behaviour (apart from the officer spotted doing a wheelie in the paddock) and riders from Southampton. Matthew Jones organised a Folly outing for the Solent Region motorcycle section of the Institute of Advanced Motorists some years ago and they have been coming back ever since. At least 20% of our riders at CC were from Southampton and environs including Hilary Thompson (Triumph Daytona, experienced Novice) with man in tow (novice Novice). It’s normally the other way round.

Very good to see David Daws back in the saddle after his racing injury last year and Ian Dunsire on his Triumph triple, finally rebuilt after engine write off at Cadwell (ended up upside down in the mud whilst still running).

I also now have a new definition of the verb “to tow” as in “thanks for the tow Geoff”. It means to ride ahead of a less experienced or confident rider at a speed higher than they would go by themselves, thus causing them to ride faster. I was thanked for the tow by Martin France (ZX6, out of practice intermediate who had demoted himself to novice) and Southampton man Richard Dawson (track virgin, Ducati 748) both of whom were storming around at the front of the novice group at what ended up as a fast intermediate pace and should not ride in novice again!

I tried towing another rider (who shall be nameless) but I think the elastic on the towrope was too weak. When I noticed he was no longer there I cruised for two laps until he caught up and overtook, as planned, so that I could follow and observe. I can do no better than quote from his subsequent e-mail to me:

Geoff, thanks for a good day, your robust criticism has made me aware I need to work on my mental approach! The Superbike guide says Combe needs accuracy, courage and commitment... All 3 noticeably lacking on the black 996. I think the second 2 are easier once you get the 1st sorted out, in other words know where the f*** you’re going.

On the subject of the Superbike Guide (its actually the Dunlop MCN guide this year), although they kindly allow us to let you see copies of the relevant circuit guide at our days we do recommend purchasing them for home study. You can get them direct from the publisher on 0870 2000 910 or from Amazon at £35 plus p&p or we can do them for you at £30 each (plus free delivery to the trackday of your choice) if we get ten or more orders. Orders please to or direct to Ian Fox and if he gets enough interest he will sort it.

It won’t however show you the new chicane (Bybrook), which has been inserted for bike days opposite the pitlane entrance and just before Camp — that’s the one by the footbridge. Castle Combe needed to put it in before running BSB last year as otherwise Camp would have been too fast for the available run off. It’s a nasty little kink with an intrusive RH apex on the exit which I kerbstoned on several occasions and increases my belief that the key skill for CC these days is being able to accelerate hard and change gear whilst cornering (or short shift and accelerate for the more cautious).

The approach to Bybrook involves an orange line down the track which divides pit lane from main track. Many riders kept to the right of that line before turning in to the chicane thus spoiling their line for the LH apex.

The circuit was much improved by the addition of the Esses and Bobbies some years ago; I suspect we will come to love Bybrook — but I wish they would flatten the exit apex.

We thought the day went really well, particularly with our two new officers Jeff and Richard (one of whom both pulled the wheelie and managed to drop his bike whilst securing it to the trailer for the journey home — bent front disc). I’ve not forgotten my first day as a Folly officer — scary. Of course you people are also crucial.

Next one is Mallory on 17th May. As of 18th April we only have five Intermediate places left so early booking is recommended. Novice still OK as is Advanced. In fact Advanced may be run as Advanced/Intermediate if all Intermediate go.

The tyre man will be coming to Mallory If you want to contact him in advance to book him to bring some tyres for you, get hold of him at Moto Mondo on 07759 308283. We hope also that our new Mr Suspension will be there too.

Finally, if you missed buying that knee down moment photo you can view and order all photos of the day by going to DE Photo’s webpage http://tinyurl.com/bgavs.

Geoff.

Any comments on the day or this newsletter (not bookings), . Views or suggestions on our instructors/instructing .