31st July Jurby ARA Championship
After spending a couple of days down Castletown spectating at the Southern 100 earlier in July, watching the boys and girls do their stuff on the road circuit I was more than fired up ready to do my bit on the airfield. The bike as usual was ready for action with a good check over the week before race day and a fresh oil and filter change to keep Her tip top.
Race Day: Waking up to a rather overcast day I nervously packed my wets into the back of the van. Once again Jock & Laura came to the rescue and have kindly loaned me there van again, thanks guys its a massive help! By 8am Crew Chief Quilly had turned up at my house, giving up a Sunday to help get me on track, cheers mate! We finished off the rest of the packing over a brew and hit the road heading for the Airfield. With both the Andreas Club and the local kart club racing this Sunday, the paddock was looking busy from the off. After unloading, signing on and taking the bike and rider through scrutineering it was time for a brew, or that’s what we thought! Turns out the ht lead on the generator had broken in transit, and that’s why we couldn’t start the dam thing. After a bit of running repairs we managed to temporarily fix the problem and at last the kettle was boiling away, few!
Todays Circuit is the 1.7 mile GP circuit and as usual I had entered the Singles Twins & Triples race and the 250/400/650 race, with qualifying and pair of races for each class. The race school took to the track first while the rest of the paddock kept looking to the sky’s, was the rain that had already start to fall on the Island going to stay away from Jurby today? Before long I was waiting in the holding area about to take to the track for my first qualifying session.
Qualifying times
Singles, Twins & Triples qualified 15th out of 26 with a best lap of 1.21.594
250/400/650 qualified 5th out of 14 with a best lap of 1.20.594
A positive start with my fastest ever lap of Jurby in the 250/650 qualifying session, and 5th overall puts me on the 2nd row of the grid, The bike felt good and I was up for it!
Race 1: Singles, Twins & Triples
I got a good start and quickly gained a couple of position’s by the end of lap one I was in 13th overall, In lap two I made a move on John Batty (sorry John) and made it stick putting me in 12th position overall , during lap three a steal frame 600 rider took me, and again in lap 4 another two steal frame 600’s (Tim Devlin & Stephen Greg) overtook me putting me back to 15th overall, I knew John Batty who is in the same class as me would be close behind but I managed to hold Him off to the line on the last lap and finished 15th overall and better still 4th in my class and best lap of 1.20.643!
Race 2: 250/400/650
Again got a decent start and just did my best, the race was red flagged on lap five after Irish Ago (Kevin Murphy) crashed heavily, the race was declared a result I finished 4th in my class with an all time best lap of 1.19.617, my personal best lap and I reached the goal I set myself at the beginning of the year by getting into the 1.19’s. I have since heard Ago is recovering well in hospital, but sadly wont be competing in the Manx this year although He is managing to keep happy with the nurses looking after Him, get well soon Ago!!
During the following races several riders crashed out, one or two being taken to Nobles by ambulance, a rider briefing was held and it was agreed that after a short wait for a replacement ambulance, the scheduled races would continue at a reduced rate of 4 laps per race.
Race 3: Singles, Twins & Triples
With only 4 laps in this race a good start was crucial, and I didn’t get a great one, Dougie Scott got in front of me early on and I was left to follow and try and re-take Him, however a fellow steal frame rider joined the party sitting on Dougies rear wheel. With the final lap coming to an an end the steal frame rider Mark Dougherty put a move on Dougie, for a minute I thought they would both run wide but Mark made his move stick and I crossed the line 3 tenths’s of a second behind Dougie 14th overall and 5th in my class with a best lap time of 1.22.453.
Race 4: 250/400/650
The last race of the day, again with only 4 laps it was all about the start. The results of this race would either leave me 3rd in the 650 championship or drop down a position to 4th position with John Batty regaining 3rd. Sadly John had the measure of me and I crossed the line behind Him, He in 3rd and me in 4th in our class, and 3rd and 4th in the championship with only 2 points in it, it’s not over yet with the final double championship race weekend on the 25th & 25th of September, all to play for!!
Reflecting on the day, I put in my best race day yet, Im really happy with my results and my times continue to tumble while I learn more and more about my race craft. I have also managed to ride inside the 110% of the race finisher’s time in all four races on Sunday, meaning I have achieved my “Upgrade” signature a step towards earning my National license, something I have set my heart on gaining by next year.
This leaves me with a busy week to catch my breath, as it all starts again next weekend with a voyage across the Irish Sea, for a race meeting with the Auto 66 race cub at the Elvington Airfield near York, something I’m really looking forward too!
As usual I would like to send a massive thank you to all my friends and family for their support so far, too many to mention but without all their help I couldn’t do it, it’s a team effort.
Lastly, competing at any level takes huge financial commitment; so far I am largely self funded working hard to make ends meet. If you feel you could help in any way or have an idea, doesn’t always have to be financial then please get in touch. You can remain anonymous or you could advertise your business or/and have yours or your family’s name on the bike, you will be welcomed into the team, please get in touch.
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Elvington Race report coming soon!
August 2, 2011 at 9:17 pm
You sum up what racing is about. And the best thing is, you are going about it in a fast way. Keep up the good work.
August 4, 2011 at 9:25 am
Cheers Les, its great when it starts to come good eh!
Best of luck in the Manx fella, will come and visit in the VIP area in Dougies camper!!