The forecast for Friday Test was a bad one, no matter which app you usually confide in, they were all saying wet, even The Weather Channel which tends to be overly optimistic! Having slipped off on 'muddy' Murrays corner 2 weeks prior, I was aware of the danger! We got set up and were going to play it by ear, quite literally. As I woke on Friday to the sound of rain bashing against the van roof, it didn't inspire confidence that a prank was being played with a hose pipe. Hastily opening the door confirmed my worries which was swiftly slammed shut and I returned to bed! Later hearing upwards of 50 riders took a tumble that day tells me if I had ridden, one of them would definitely have been me!
Onwards to Saturday Morning and a wet start to proceedings. Snetterton in the wet with only 12 minutes qualifying leaves a maximum of around 4 laps to get a quick one in. Heavy spray was being kicked up which made it's way onto the inside of the visor meaning visibility was extremely limited. Clear track opening up in front gave an opportunity of the visor to clear and managed to stick in a time good enough for 8th place.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Race 1 is away and it's a great start, into 4th and for once away with the "Leaders". It's a lap of 2 halves, Sector 1 had a very definitive dry line all the way to the Bentley Straight but Sector two was still rather wet. Lap 1 complete in 4th place with only 3 seconds covering the top 5. Into Brundle for the second time, a good drive down the Bentley Straight and I was up to second! Keeping pace with leader it was certainly a battle of nerves but I was better placed following to see where we could push the boundaries. Lap 4 and I'd been taken and pushed into third at Ago's, then a mistake onto the back straight and I was struggling to keep up. 3rd place I thought... it's all I'd dreamed of this year was one trophy. But then I thought, I think I'd like a bigger one! The leaders had bunched up and by the end or Corams I was right there with them, into the left hander then CRASH!!! Back stepped out on the power and snaps back into line, straight over the bars and down hard! But for once IT WASN'T ME! Marginally missing both bike and rider I'd dropped 2 seconds behind the leader, time to consolidate 2nd when the Red Flags came out.
The confusion was unbearable! We crossed the line for what had been 3/4 distance and I was trying to recount where I had finished on count back, but it didn't matter. It was a result! I'd finally managed to do what I set out to do 4 years ago when I set out on this journey. Something realistically I never though was possible, but it did!
Fans cheering from the bank. (okay no fans but my Dad and girlfriend Michelle were there, they're probably my biggest!) The joy was genuinely overwhelming, all the hard work, crashes, money, broken bikes, blown engines, more crashes, more money. All symbolised by this one gold covered Cup.
The other races were relatively boring in comparison so you don't really need to hear about them! This won't be the last post but I'll end it with a massive... THANK YOU! To Mum, Michelle, Dad, Chris, everyone else that has helped, supported and whatever else you've done!
See you at Donington!
Alex James Photography
No Limits Racing
Symmetry It Solutions
