Paul – Cadwell.

Unfortunately Cadwell was one of those weekends I’d rather forget.

It got off to a bad start when I had a message waiting for me from Phil Seton when I got back from offshore on Wednesday afternoon. He’d had two sets of Hyper Clutch plates explode the previous weekend and these are the very same plates that were fitted in my bike. The only possible course of action was to take them out.

Now, slipper clutches are a bit more complicated than your average clutch. Dan and I found this out in the gazebo on Thursday night when a ball bearing fell into the engine. By a miraculous stroke of luck the rogue item was found in the sump of the engine after much drama. Re-assembling the clutch was a head scratching nightmare too. I think we got it back together correctly (this is still to be verified by Phil later this week) and I went to bed completely knackered.

 The first session of the test day was a cautious affair to see if the clutch was going to self destruct. Once I was happy that it was going to hold together, I went about getting things right for racing. I changed the gearing, fitted some different brake pads and scrubbed in a new set of tyres. I felt fairly good.

I got the bike and my kit scrutineered while Dan cursed and swore at his TZR (a common theme for the weekend). Ready to go.

Qualifying.

I went out at the front of a group and everything felt ok. The whole qualifying thing is still a bit strange for me. I’ve always gone loads quicker in races than practice, so it’s weird trying to go as fast as possible with out the race incentive. I’d hate to crash in qualifying, so it’s hard to push to that level. In the end I secured 14^th on the grid out of 28 riders, so I was happy.

Race 1

I got a fairly decent start and set off with a group into turn one. The couple of laps completed were a bit of a blur before the race was red flagged. When I tried to get the bike off the line for the restart, I bogged it and lost a load of places before the first turn. I ended up finishing 18^th out of about 25 finishers. I wasn’t particularly happy.

I sat and thought about what I could do to get my lap time down. There were places where I was more than happy to carry more speed, but that would have meant hooking another gear, which in turn would mean upsetting the bike even more with another down shift at the next heavy braking point. I was having trouble keeping the bike under control on the brakes when changing down the gears, with the back wheel fish tailing about making it really hard to turn.

I decided to go for a drastic gear change, going to Snetterton gearing so that I could hold onto gears for longer and not have to shift down at the places where I was having trouble. I thought things could only get better…….

Race 2

We formed up on the grid, with my nerves on edge. I really needed to get my lap time down and SERIOUSLY needed to get a better start.

The lights went out and I got the bike off the line really well. Me and a chap by the name of Del on number 63 were bashing elbows on one wheel all the way to turn 1, where I managed to negotiate the mayhem into a slot amongst the row of riders who were infront of me on the grid.

I got round Charlie’s 1 and 2 well, and my drive onto the Park straight was good.

As we crested the rise, the marshalls were frantically waving the red flags. Everyone managed to slow down without hitting each other. One poor fella had to take to the grass, but we all managed it.

We were directed round to the holding area again and then told to go back to our paddock camps until 15 minutes time. Looking over to turn one revealed a mass of vans and ambulances so I assumed we’d be a while before returning to the track.

No sooner had I taken my lid off than we were called back to the grid.

The start line official indicated that we were to have a five lap race after our warm up lap. No problem.

I got a terrible start, getting boxed in through turn one. I managed to get into a decent position onto the Park straight and went about trying to go quickly on my new gearing. As is always the case with gearing, it was a compromise so while the problems I was having in some places were sorted, they were replaced by issues elsewhere.

I was gaining on Sarah Jordan, who had finished quite a way infront of me in the first race. I had a serious moment going over the mountain when the bike took off and landed sideways, giving the bike behind me the chance to get past. The last lap flag was being waved as we went down the start straight so I was planning to try and get past at least one of the bikes infront of me before the end of the race.

As I hit the brakes for Mansfield for the last time, the back of the bike started fishtailing about, and the bike ended up tied in knots at the point I needed to turn in.

I couldn’t make the turn and ran up the hill into the run off area. Absolutely furious.

I rejoined on the Park straight and rode round cursing.

As I turned through Mansfield again, I exited the turn and wound on the throttle only to find myself flying through the air and then tumbling along the ground.

When I finally came to a halt, I was seriously winded and in pain just about everywhere. In summary I spent the next hour in the medical centre getting checked over and discharged with a sprained ankle and an assortment of cuts and bruises. Thanks to all the marshals and medical staff who looked after me plus Rachel and Craig who sat with me in the med centre while my ice pack went warm.

Between myself, the rest of Ram It Racing and the YPM crew we got the bike fixed on Saturday evening. It seems that my 600 has a taste for bodywork. The fairing was completely destroyed!

Sunday morning saw me wake up in a fair amount of discomfort. My intention was to ride the warm up laps and make a decision as to whether I should race or not.

I went out for warm up and felt OK. I didn’t expect to do well, but I didn’t want to not ride at all. In my experience, it’s best to get back on the bike that spat you off as soon as possible.

I went out for race 1, and started out OK. As the race progressed, I started to tire out and make some serious mistakes. My body was simply not co-operating. The bashing I’d had on Saturday afternoon was taking it’s toll. After nearly crashing at the Gooseneck, the hairpin and Charlies 2 I decided to retire from the race. One big off in a weekend is enough for me! I was going backwards, I was in serious danger of repeating the med centre experience and most importantly, I wasn’t enjoying myself.

I spent the rest of day packing up at a leisurely pace. I enjoyed the YPM race, watching Dan finally finishing a race with a smile on his face.

Like I said, not a very good weekend. I’ve since been to Phil Seton’s workshop and had a different spring fitted in my slipper clutch and I think I’m going to have to start adjusting the suspension settings on my bike in future. I think the front end was too soft which resulted in the rear of the bike being so unstable. A whole other load of things to learn.

Hopefully, Brands Hatch will bring me better fortune.

Over and out.

Sqwelch.

 

 

 

Dan-Cadwell

Before the start of the season I put an entry in to ride the TZR at Cadwell as it is a long gap between races for the thunderbikes and I can’t be off track for months……….

However………..

I start to think I’m going to pull the entry as I’ve looked at the pile of bits in the corner of the garage that used to be a TZR and realised it needs totally rebuilding and new tyres, pads etc…..After a couple of chats with Fat boy who says he can help me out with tyres I still decide it’s to much work and I’m going to pull my entry.

So……..I ring the BEMSEE office and book the test day Ehhhhhhhhhh……I rang to cancel but instead booked up more track time.

All the following week was spent rebuilding the TZR and sorting out bearings, wheels, brakes, engines etc….. I would image about 50 odd hours in total….oh I love my garage.

Thursday and I ring Sqwelch to find out when he is setting off and we both agree to leave around midday. I have to make sure I’m behind him as as can’t wait to watch him pull his fully loaded transit with a caravan on the back up the hill to Cadwell. I have to pull over and wait for Sqwelch and Rachel to pass, but the wait is well worth it as I laugh my head off watching Sqwelch have to change into first just to get up the Hill.

We arrive and get set up in YPM corner and it’s great to be parked in amongst the YPM crowd again. Rachel cooks us a lovely meal, we have a couple or 3 beers then off to bed for a good kip to prepare for testing. 

Friday

There has been a touch of rain overnight and it’s a tad cold but at least it looks as if it will stay dry. So we get signing on out of the way and off for my first ride on the TZR since last session.

To say the bike felt horrible is an understatement, I had new pads, new tyres and was on a damp track. The bike felt twitchy and very agricultural, I had to come in early to check everything was still tight as I felt sure something was wrong!!!!!!!!!! After the CBR the TZR could not be further away in just about everything. About the only thing they have in common is they both have 2 wheels.

For the 2^nd session I decided to just nail it as I was well fed up with wobbling around like a old women. All of a sudden the bike starts to make sence……ahhhh now I remember, these bikes only feel ok when nailed and thrown onto there sides hard.  And so the love affair is rekindled and I’m in love with my TZR again (this would not last!!!!!). Through out the remaining sessions I try a different tyre and a few other minor changes and all is well.

Towards the end of the day I feel happy that I will be around race pace and prep the bike for scrutineering only to snap a bolt off in the clutch lever and then go on to find the clutch cable is hanging on by a strand. So by the time I’ve fixed everything I’ve missed scrutineering so I’ll have to get it done Sat morn. Big thanks to Moose for a new clutch cable, the clutch has never felt so good!!!!

So Friday night it’s a few more beers and a lot more chat with fellow racers (it’s real nice to be in the YPM camp again) and we meet up with Mat and Pipey (his first outing this season) to see how the world of mini twin racing is going!!!!! A couple more beers then off to the back of the van for a little kip in my super comfy camp bed.

Sat

I’m up early and grab a quick shower only to find that they are actually warm!!!!! I almost faint with the shock.

Fatboy takes the tzr to scrutineering whilst I put my leathers on ready for inspection. Everything passes and I’m ready for the off……..

Race 1

I start 30^th on the grid due to the fact that I haven’t ridden the TZR this year and so I have no championship points. This I love, I’m not really sure why but I love a good race from the back of the grid. Pulling out onto the track the bike feels a bit woolly and does not seem to rev very cleanly. Anyway this seems to clear on the warm up lap. As soon as I stop on the grid ready for the lights to go out, the bike starts to play up again and does not seem to rev very well at all. The lights go out and I nail it….luckily the fault seems to clear and I’m off, I make a few places into the first corner and around the outside only to get out onto the back straight to find the bike will not pull in top gear and I’m losing out greatly on top end speed. The fault seems to clear at low speed corners and reappears at high speed, I end up having a very frustrating race with the bike not pulling but I manage to get to 7^th. Fatboy thought I’d be pleased at the end of the race but the large dent in the top of the TZR tank indicated otherwise!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In between race myself and fat boy go through the bike changing everthing and testing all elec connections, a tube is found not connected on the carb and we believe this could well be the problem as no other fault can be found. The bike starts and revs really cleanly and sound good.

Race 2

The race is called and the bike decides it will not start, after a bump it goes but now sounds real bad, coughing and popping. In the collecting area my fellow YPM’ers try to help me sort the problem but we get called down to the grid. I make it to the grid and the bike cuts out and will not restart so I push it into pit lane and watch the race from there. Disappointment levels are off scale!!! I’m not an happy camper.

More fault finding latter (thanks Norbar team) reveals a dodgy CDI…….thankfully Ken lends me another and the bike appears to be good!!!!!!!!!!!!!

More beer, food (thanks Rachel), chat and then sleep.

Sunday

I have a shower (cold) and on my return I bump into Sqwelch and we discuss a bike around the track. Fatboy has already set off, so I chase him and in turn Sqwelch chases me, anyway we all meet at the bottom of the goose neck and have a little bike around with all the usual smart comments to each other!!!!

Race 1

Another back of the grid start for me!!!!!! Now this time I have an added incentive to perform well as Fat boy has just bet me £20 that I can’t finish higher than 7^th. Yes I know I’m tight but I really really wanted to take that £20 of him.

So off to the grid and the bike feels good, the rev counter did dip a couple of times but the motor still seemed to rev cleanly. The lights go on and then off and I make a good start but have to shut off as I end up getting a little boxed in. I manage to cut up the inside up to Charlies 1 and probably take around 8 bikes, I then cut to the outside for charlies 2 and run around the outside of about 6 bikes. I get a decent run onto the back straight and I don’t brake until 150yards this puts the back wheel well up in the air and I laughing out load (maybe a bit nervously!!!!). I now just get my head down and go as fast as I can. Latter in the race I catch Bally and have a good strap with him…..he wins the scrap as I’m starting to feel a bit worn out. I end up 5^th and £20 richer!!!!!!

Race 2

Start 5^th finish 5^th. Had a great race though. The bike is playing up again and is mega slow down the back straight, it just about will hang in with the bikes ahead if I get in there slip stream but if I pull out I go backwards. The bike was so slow I was braking at about 75yard at the end of the straight. Still have mega fun battling with Rangi and Bally and we all swap places several times usually with the v sign up. Very very funny and I really enjoyed it. Gutted my engine did not work properly as I really thought I could get a pot, but it was not to be.

Thanks again to all the crew and fellow YPM’ers who helped me out this weekend. All in all I’m glad I did not pull my entry but I do still want to hit my TZR with something heavy!!!!!

Laters.

Dan “Wrong ‘Un” Wright