A BIG THANK YOU

First things first, a big thank you to everyone who was able to come along. We were rewarded with a virtually dry sunny day, with just a light 5 minute shower after lunch. Also a big thank you to the circuit staff who were all very helpful throughout the day. The bacon butties, tea and coffee in the sign-on area went down a treat.

No noise testing to worry about, no forgotten bike keys, the day was progressing without a single hitch, what could possibly go wrong from this point? Even as these thoughts entered my mind the wheels of fate were turning. At 8.15am I noticed “still” no instructors, which is very strange. By 8.30am we had received the message “Woody and Roger are stuck behind an accident on the A14” and they may be quite delayed. Myself and Richard got kitted up just in case a plan B was needed with Jackie and Graham looking after the briefing. Woody and Roger arrived with 10 minutes to go and Roger managed to make the first Advanced group session, which was pretty amazing since they had three bikes to unload.

All the first sessions were completed with no incidents and the rest of the morning progressed with only a couple of stoppages. Bill Boyd and Andy Hope both had low sides with no resulting injuries although probably a few bruises to take home.

During the last session before lunch things took a turn for the worse. Clive Manners had the misfortune of having a nasty highside going through “Brook” and was launched from his bike. Things proceeded to get complicated as he landed in front of Woody’s GSXR causing Woody to run him over before crashing himself. Clive must be made of tough stuff as he managed to escape with slight concussion and a trip to hospital to have his spine and neck X-rayed as a precaution. Woody landed heavily in the gravel trap breaking his collar bone. He also aggravated an old hip/pelvis injury.

The afternoon sessions proceeded without any major incident until the last Intermediate session went out. About half way through this session Gerald Burnett had a huge highside coming out of Gracelands. His R1 proceeded to cartwheel down the track reaching some impressive heights between bounces. Dave Gregory following on his Rizla Suzuki had to take to the grass to avoid Gerald. Once again Gerald was whisked off to hospital, this time by air ambulance, for X-rays to make sure all was ok. Luckily nothing was broken but Gerald was left with some nasty bruising. His R1 looked decidedly second hand and I would image there is quite a lot of damage to be sorted out. The lengths some people will go to for a ride in a helicopter.

We have one more event for this year. We are back at Castle Combe on Monday 15th September. There is the usual 105dB noise limit for this event, and the cost of the day is £135. Most of us will be stopping over at the Crown on the Sunday night. Please come along to join us for dinner (about 8.00pm) if you get a chance.

The event can be booked online at our website and accommodation information can be found under ‘Events & Bookings’. EDP Photo will be along to capture those special moments. So put it in your diary and come and join us for another great track day.

Jeff