Rider: Paul Welch

Once again, when I thought I was reasonably well prepared for a meeting, a last minute problem caused me serious grief and expense. Again. I’d tried to put everything away in readiness before I’d left and buy anything I needed while I was away, but stress free it was not to be.

The rear shock adjustment problems I was having at Snet had made me buy some decent tools so that I could get a decent feel for how it was set. I got home from work on Wednesday went out to buy the tools in readiness for having a quick check before loading up on Thursday. One extension bar, one swivel and one allen head socket later I was trying to feel how many clicks away from fully in the adjustment was. By the time I’d reached about 40 “kind of” clicks, I was beginning to become moderately concerned. I push down on the bike revealed fully wound in rebound damping, as the tail took about a week to return to it’s normal position. Numerous turns in the opposite direction gave the same result. Conclusion: One totally knackered shock absorber. Brilliant.

Some hasty telephone calls and a bit of panic resulted in me and Rach leaving earlier than intended to go via a WP rep in Bury St Edmunds to collect a new shock, then onto Darren’s at MCT in Stwomarket on the way to Brands. Even though Darren was stacked out with work, he set the shock up for me, gave me some info on what I should do in the wet and sent me on my way. Even with the LARGE dent in my wallet, I was massively grateful. Thanks chaps!


The main aim for this meeting was to not crash. I was booked in with Phil Seton to drop my engine off on Monday morning to have it refreshed in readiness for the Manx. I had no time, money, or inclination to have any more grief than to simply finish the meeting and drop the bike off undamaged. Fingers crossed.
I got the new shock fitted on Thursday night at the circuit with the help of Robin, Pipey’s Dad. It looked the nuts I have to say. At least now I can phone up Darren and get some advice on the kit I have fitted, especially when I have to set everything for the Island.

Nice tea, few beers, yarn with the YPM gang, list written of things to do in the morning, bed.

Friday was dry all day and the practice was well worth it. My tyres were pretty much goosed by lunch time, but I couldn’t afford to put fresh ones in until race day, so I did the best I could with the used ones. It rained at the end of the day so I couldn’t scrub my new set in during the last session which was my plan, so I had to call it a day.

Saturday morning was clear and dry so I was happy to go out on brand spanking new rubber for the qualifying session. The difference was immediately obvious and I had a good session. I was riding round near some people who are normally on the same sort of pace as me and I felt comfortable. The timesheet showed me 18th fastest out of 36 riders.

Race 1 came around fairly quickly. I watched the YPM race which was highly entertaining, then had to rush back to get dressed.

From my starting position of 18th, I was nearer the left hand side of the track which is good. I didn’t get a particularly good start but managed to get into a good position through Paddock which allowed me to go round the outside of several riders. Lap one felt good and I’m told I was running in about 14th at the start of the 2nd lap. Exiting Clearways on lap 2, the back of the bike let go in a serious fashion. I was out of the seat looking down at the thing, expecting to hit the tarmac at any moment. Even in that split second, I remember thinking “oh for fuck sake, here we go” and then I landed back in the seat going in the right direction. I lost numerous places and was reminded with a hefty smack in the knackers what the main priority of the weekend was. I finished the race in 19th.

Race 2 was a bit more of a cautious affair. I was acutely aware of the need to feed the power in carefully coming out of Clearways. I was having a good race with Number 50, gaining on him on entry into Graham Hill bend every lap. I tried to get as close as possible through the turn to get better drive out of it, when he decided to have a similar brown trouser moment to mine from the first race. I shut off expecting him to land in a shower of expensive sparks, but the jammy git landed back in the seat too! I finished the race in 16th behind him.

Saturday had been a busy day for Rachel, Molly and Sally. They, along with some of the other YPM women had sold a load of raffle tickets for the club. Well done Ladies! After a few beers at the presentation, we went to the draw before scoffing down on some excellent caravan produced nosh. A few beers too many, then bed.

Sunday was dry! All day! A rarity of the 2008 season. A quick couple of laps for warm up and I was ready.

Race one was good. I’ve been looking after my fitness in preparation for the Manx, so it was nice to have a longer race to get into it. I finished 18th after swapping places a few times during and posting my quickest time of the weekend.

I spent the interval between the races getting sorted out to leave. Getting the awning packed up without getting lashed with rain was a novel and pleasant experience!

Race 2 came about and I have to admit, I just wanted it over and done with. I’d heard about Mark Parbury’s trip into the gravel and had no intention of doing the same for the sake of a mid teen finish. I still enjoyed the race and managed to beat Richard Marchant who’d been eluding me for the whole weekend. I finished 19th with a significant amount of relief.

Me and Rach left the Minitwin Ram It racers with the gazebo to pack up and made our way home.

Next stop, Manx GP. Yeeeeeeeeha!