British Historic at Cadwell Park - Friday and Saturday
Friday 27th September 2013
With the Coke van still awaiting a new roof and back door, Chris picked up the hire van again the previous morning so I could pack it during Thursday. We decided to have an early night, so we could set off around 4 in the morning. At 3am we were woken by a phone call from a friend who was working nights and had inadvertently pressed our number. We could hear him working but he had no idea he’d rung us. Then we had a knock at the front door from a taxi driver who couldn’t find the house he was to pick up from and assumed it was us as the kitchen light was on. You can imagine we were quite awake by this time so we decided to dress and go.
Chris got the caravan out of the drive and hitched it up and found there was no spare number plate in the hire van – even though the man at the hire place was asked if it was behind the sun visor and he’d said it was. (always check for yourself even if it offends someone) As I’d packed the van in daylight I had not realised that the van’s interior lights were not working. Until this happens you do not realise how handy it is when you open the cab doors and they come on. Chris had to use a torch to familiarise himself with the controls and to find the ignition key hole. Kendall Van Hire! Bloody useless bastards.
Arriving at Cadwell at 7.30am and with only the little gazebo to put up we were set up by 10am. An MSV track day, fronted by Tony Page, was being run so Chris decided to take the North out for the afternoon sessions. Graham Jeffrey and Dave Whitfield joined us for a spot of lunch and we had marshal Neil Boorman with us for supper and also took in and fed a hungry little waif and stray called Ian Stewart.
Saturday 28th September
After a few hours I managed to get my head around the programme. We were relying on Tim and Molly for guidance on some procedures. Superb weather – hot, hot sun and icy air. It couldn’t be more perfect. Chris took the bike down to the Woolleys’ and used that as his base so his starter could be kept in the holding area. Molly did all the starting from there over the weekend, and all the tea making.
Chris won his first race and came second in his second – at the start of this race, the rider next to Tim was trying to do up his helmet strap and keep his bike going. The rest of the field headed off while Tim held both of their throttles while the strap was secured then he shot off ruthlessly, overtaking most of the field by the time he got to the hairpin and coming home in fourth place.
Chris’ third race – After he returned from the warm-up lap and gridded up, he realised that there was too much slack in the clutch cable and decided to pull off the grid to see what the problem was. Whilst standing behind the barrier he got the chance to fiddle around with the cable. The cable was fraying but there did seem to be another problem too. It was only when the van came to pick him up after the race, and after selecting neutral, it kept selecting another gear, that he realised it was a gearbox fault and not a clutch problem. The bike had to be manhandled into the van because it would not select neutral and manhandled out at the other end for the same reason.
Chris gets boiler suit on. He laid the bike over on its left side using jerry cans to prop it up so he wouldn’t lose too much gear oil. He first stripped out the clutch plates then removed the gearbox end cover and discovered that the gearbox main shaft nut at the gearbox end had come loose thereby allowing the main shaft to float and engage gears randomly. His decision not to join the race saved his gearbox.
After locking the clutch up he was able to retighten the gearbox nut to the required torque setting and peen the bolt to lock it into place. Unfortunately, Chris missed the ‘Over 50s’ race which would have given him the chance to break Tim’s lap record and missed one in the ‘Bears’ series but at least the bike was now useable again. Chris would have missed a third race but they ran out of time that day. It was deferred to Sunday morning.
With the Coke van still awaiting a new roof and back door, Chris picked up the hire van again the previous morning so I could pack it during Thursday. We decided to have an early night, so we could set off around 4 in the morning. At 3am we were woken by a phone call from a friend who was working nights and had inadvertently pressed our number. We could hear him working but he had no idea he’d rung us. Then we had a knock at the front door from a taxi driver who couldn’t find the house he was to pick up from and assumed it was us as the kitchen light was on. You can imagine we were quite awake by this time so we decided to dress and go.
Chris got the caravan out of the drive and hitched it up and found there was no spare number plate in the hire van – even though the man at the hire place was asked if it was behind the sun visor and he’d said it was. (always check for yourself even if it offends someone) As I’d packed the van in daylight I had not realised that the van’s interior lights were not working. Until this happens you do not realise how handy it is when you open the cab doors and they come on. Chris had to use a torch to familiarise himself with the controls and to find the ignition key hole. Kendall Van Hire! Bloody useless bastards.
Arriving at Cadwell at 7.30am and with only the little gazebo to put up we were set up by 10am. An MSV track day, fronted by Tony Page, was being run so Chris decided to take the North out for the afternoon sessions. Graham Jeffrey and Dave Whitfield joined us for a spot of lunch and we had marshal Neil Boorman with us for supper and also took in and fed a hungry little waif and stray called Ian Stewart.
Saturday 28th September
After a few hours I managed to get my head around the programme. We were relying on Tim and Molly for guidance on some procedures. Superb weather – hot, hot sun and icy air. It couldn’t be more perfect. Chris took the bike down to the Woolleys’ and used that as his base so his starter could be kept in the holding area. Molly did all the starting from there over the weekend, and all the tea making.
Chris won his first race and came second in his second – at the start of this race, the rider next to Tim was trying to do up his helmet strap and keep his bike going. The rest of the field headed off while Tim held both of their throttles while the strap was secured then he shot off ruthlessly, overtaking most of the field by the time he got to the hairpin and coming home in fourth place.
Chris’ third race – After he returned from the warm-up lap and gridded up, he realised that there was too much slack in the clutch cable and decided to pull off the grid to see what the problem was. Whilst standing behind the barrier he got the chance to fiddle around with the cable. The cable was fraying but there did seem to be another problem too. It was only when the van came to pick him up after the race, and after selecting neutral, it kept selecting another gear, that he realised it was a gearbox fault and not a clutch problem. The bike had to be manhandled into the van because it would not select neutral and manhandled out at the other end for the same reason.
Chris gets boiler suit on. He laid the bike over on its left side using jerry cans to prop it up so he wouldn’t lose too much gear oil. He first stripped out the clutch plates then removed the gearbox end cover and discovered that the gearbox main shaft nut at the gearbox end had come loose thereby allowing the main shaft to float and engage gears randomly. His decision not to join the race saved his gearbox.
After locking the clutch up he was able to retighten the gearbox nut to the required torque setting and peen the bolt to lock it into place. Unfortunately, Chris missed the ‘Over 50s’ race which would have given him the chance to break Tim’s lap record and missed one in the ‘Bears’ series but at least the bike was now useable again. Chris would have missed a third race but they ran out of time that day. It was deferred to Sunday morning.
Sunday 29th September
Nervous moments waiting for Chris to come in from practice. The gearbox, and the clutch with its new cable, were working fine though. He achieved three 2nd places and two 1st places by close of Sunday’s racing.
Confused by having been asked on the race application form to state his full name, Chris put ‘Christopher Chapman’. The commentator and the race office called him that all weekend and it sounded really weird.
Personally, I was a bit embarrassed at us turning up solely for the last meeting of the year and Chris taking so many places off the regular club members. It’s the sort of thing I moan about when it happens at CRMC meetings and we’ve just gone and done the same thing.
Thank you everyone who’s helped me and supported Chris this year. It is really appreciated.
See you all in April.
Jane Chapman - Long Suffering Wife
Nervous moments waiting for Chris to come in from practice. The gearbox, and the clutch with its new cable, were working fine though. He achieved three 2nd places and two 1st places by close of Sunday’s racing.
Confused by having been asked on the race application form to state his full name, Chris put ‘Christopher Chapman’. The commentator and the race office called him that all weekend and it sounded really weird.
Personally, I was a bit embarrassed at us turning up solely for the last meeting of the year and Chris taking so many places off the regular club members. It’s the sort of thing I moan about when it happens at CRMC meetings and we’ve just gone and done the same thing.
Thank you everyone who’s helped me and supported Chris this year. It is really appreciated.
See you all in April.
Jane Chapman - Long Suffering Wife
Snetterton 2013 - Friday and Saturday
We now know that Chris’ Coke van, which we thought would be repaired in two weeks, will not be coming back to us for some time. The roof was going to have a new patch put in where the right hand hinge was pushed into it but after a change of mind the repairers have ordered a new roof from Germany. Chris has been given a vehicle for work which you couldn’t fit a flea’s testicles into and it doesn’t have a tow bar so he had to rent a 2.2L Transit for Snetterton, and will have to have it again for the Vintage race weekend at Cadwell on 28th and 29th Sept.
We set off for Snetterton Friday morning and with no turbo the Transit was very sluggish. The dampers were knackered and I was relieved that I’ve never suffered from sea-sickness. So we wallowed our way to J2 on the M25 where we came to a halt and crawled our way to the Dartford tunnel hotly pursued by my niece Laura and her friend Michael in his car with it’s enormous exhaust pipe and thundering engine. We knew if they’d fallen behind by over a mile because you couldn’t hear it any more.
Gavin rang to say he and Lou were leaving Colchester at around 4pm. His bike was now working perfectly and he was looking forward to the weekend. Lou rang a couple of hours later to tell us that Gavin had now broken a bone in his foot and was going to be in plaster for six weeks so they wouldn’t be coming. Poor old Gav. What bad luck.
When we eventually got everything set up at the circuit I turned my thoughts to our supper and how we were going to manage as most of it was still frozen. Shirley and Jason to the rescue again, this time with their microwave. Thanks to them we managed to eat by 9pm.
Saturday - The headline of the day – Chris drops one of his nuts in the petrol tank.
After finding out that the smarter of the two North tanks had a leak, Chris had to use the sad one which was involved in the Anglesey crash. Anyway. The nut from under its fuel cap had come off and the two discs and the spring had to be re-established without it. It made it through qualifying and although the North had a slight misfire Chris felt the bike was running well. Without the RPS Chris only had one race that day so there was a lot of sitting about to endure. Graham and Janet arrived with emergency washing-up liquid supplies as we and the Dollittles had none with us.
First race, Classic 1300s and Post Classic 750s. Cormac won, 2nd Gorgeous George, 3rd Graham Williams, 4th Alan Oversby and Chris was 5th, 4th in class.
On one lap Chris came down the straight and the petrol cap popped up and all bits flew out and at 150mph he clipped it shut again but he had to go for a walk round the paddock afterwards to see if he could borrow a spare. Luckily Tim Woolley had one which fitted. A fuel leak had to be investigated too which turned out to be from one of the new fuel filters. They were thrown away and pipes put on instead. Due to the high number of accidents and oil spills during the day, the last event, the qualifying for the Race of Aces, was moved to first thing Sunday morning so it was a quiet day for Team W.A.N.C.A compared to most meetings.
We ate reasonably early and then Chris presented the T.W.A.T to Martin Pink. We would particularly like to thank him for taking Chris’ bike to two race meetings when we know he would have much rather have gone on his bike. It was good to have a visit from Derek Chitty and catch up a bit and it was a sociable evening all round at Camp W.A.N.C.A. And talking about Camp, did anyone else think that Alan Carr (chatty man) was doing the announcements this weekend. We were convinced it was him.
We set off for Snetterton Friday morning and with no turbo the Transit was very sluggish. The dampers were knackered and I was relieved that I’ve never suffered from sea-sickness. So we wallowed our way to J2 on the M25 where we came to a halt and crawled our way to the Dartford tunnel hotly pursued by my niece Laura and her friend Michael in his car with it’s enormous exhaust pipe and thundering engine. We knew if they’d fallen behind by over a mile because you couldn’t hear it any more.
Gavin rang to say he and Lou were leaving Colchester at around 4pm. His bike was now working perfectly and he was looking forward to the weekend. Lou rang a couple of hours later to tell us that Gavin had now broken a bone in his foot and was going to be in plaster for six weeks so they wouldn’t be coming. Poor old Gav. What bad luck.
When we eventually got everything set up at the circuit I turned my thoughts to our supper and how we were going to manage as most of it was still frozen. Shirley and Jason to the rescue again, this time with their microwave. Thanks to them we managed to eat by 9pm.
Saturday - The headline of the day – Chris drops one of his nuts in the petrol tank.
After finding out that the smarter of the two North tanks had a leak, Chris had to use the sad one which was involved in the Anglesey crash. Anyway. The nut from under its fuel cap had come off and the two discs and the spring had to be re-established without it. It made it through qualifying and although the North had a slight misfire Chris felt the bike was running well. Without the RPS Chris only had one race that day so there was a lot of sitting about to endure. Graham and Janet arrived with emergency washing-up liquid supplies as we and the Dollittles had none with us.
First race, Classic 1300s and Post Classic 750s. Cormac won, 2nd Gorgeous George, 3rd Graham Williams, 4th Alan Oversby and Chris was 5th, 4th in class.
On one lap Chris came down the straight and the petrol cap popped up and all bits flew out and at 150mph he clipped it shut again but he had to go for a walk round the paddock afterwards to see if he could borrow a spare. Luckily Tim Woolley had one which fitted. A fuel leak had to be investigated too which turned out to be from one of the new fuel filters. They were thrown away and pipes put on instead. Due to the high number of accidents and oil spills during the day, the last event, the qualifying for the Race of Aces, was moved to first thing Sunday morning so it was a quiet day for Team W.A.N.C.A compared to most meetings.
We ate reasonably early and then Chris presented the T.W.A.T to Martin Pink. We would particularly like to thank him for taking Chris’ bike to two race meetings when we know he would have much rather have gone on his bike. It was good to have a visit from Derek Chitty and catch up a bit and it was a sociable evening all round at Camp W.A.N.C.A. And talking about Camp, did anyone else think that Alan Carr (chatty man) was doing the announcements this weekend. We were convinced it was him.
Snetterton 2013 - Sunday
I started packing away things we’d finished with as soon as we’d had breakfast. I was hoping for a quick getaway after the last race as we had a slow journey home and had to empty the van before we could go to bed as the van had to be returned by 8am Monday. It all seemed quite daunting until Graham mentioned that a bloke in a neighbouring garage had arrived and opened his caravan and found the family cat inside and had to drive it home again, to Crewe!
Martin noticed on Saturday brake fluid being spat out of the North’s master cylinder and that it was doing it again today so he checked it and it was almost overflowing. I was too busy to get a time sheet for Chris’ National race so I don’t know how he did, and he can’t remember what happened. (it means so much to him) We’ll have to ask Martin. He might remember. It was an exciting afternoon though.
Chris finished 2nd in the Race of the Year behind Phil Davenport with Mike Dollittle coming 3rd. As Chris is STILL down as riding a Twin-Trident 1300, there was some confusion as to whether he’d won the race of the year being the first twin home!
In the Race of Aces Chris qualified 16th/43. He clawed his way up to 10th overtaking at least one rider per lap. On the 5th lap after dropping down two gears and getting into the turn for Corams, he heard a ping and the chain shot off. He managed to get the bike upright without going on the grass and free-wheeled virtually all the way back to the pits. So that was it for the weekend.
There were still a number of races in other classes to go. Chris took out the assorted bits from Tim’s Monza fuel cap and gave it back to him and watched Mike in the 750s. We started loading the van at about 5.30pm and what with one thing and another eventually left at 8.30pm. We were unloading by 11.30 and eventually went to bed at a quarter to one!
Thank you to all our team for all their help throughout the year. Thank you to all our racing friends for helping out at every meeting when I’ve found out what I’ve left at home.
We’re off to Cadwell Park next weekend as Chris wants to try out the Bears Series with the British Historic Racing Club. He has nine races over the weekend! (Is there no end to this madness?)
Long Suffering Wife
(Gavin, get well soon. Lou, take deep breaths.)
Martin noticed on Saturday brake fluid being spat out of the North’s master cylinder and that it was doing it again today so he checked it and it was almost overflowing. I was too busy to get a time sheet for Chris’ National race so I don’t know how he did, and he can’t remember what happened. (it means so much to him) We’ll have to ask Martin. He might remember. It was an exciting afternoon though.
Chris finished 2nd in the Race of the Year behind Phil Davenport with Mike Dollittle coming 3rd. As Chris is STILL down as riding a Twin-Trident 1300, there was some confusion as to whether he’d won the race of the year being the first twin home!
In the Race of Aces Chris qualified 16th/43. He clawed his way up to 10th overtaking at least one rider per lap. On the 5th lap after dropping down two gears and getting into the turn for Corams, he heard a ping and the chain shot off. He managed to get the bike upright without going on the grass and free-wheeled virtually all the way back to the pits. So that was it for the weekend.
There were still a number of races in other classes to go. Chris took out the assorted bits from Tim’s Monza fuel cap and gave it back to him and watched Mike in the 750s. We started loading the van at about 5.30pm and what with one thing and another eventually left at 8.30pm. We were unloading by 11.30 and eventually went to bed at a quarter to one!
Thank you to all our team for all their help throughout the year. Thank you to all our racing friends for helping out at every meeting when I’ve found out what I’ve left at home.
We’re off to Cadwell Park next weekend as Chris wants to try out the Bears Series with the British Historic Racing Club. He has nine races over the weekend! (Is there no end to this madness?)
Long Suffering Wife
(Gavin, get well soon. Lou, take deep breaths.)
Donington Park 2013 - Friday and Saturday
Friday 9th August 2013
Manic at breakfast. In the adjoining garage, Brendan Ryan had forgotten the toaster so Keiran was trying to make toast on our barbeque while I was cooking the bacon. A quick phone call to Ashley and Jim to bring a toaster was necessary. The fire alarm in the garages had been activated somehow by someone and Chris set off to find an official to get it silenced. Everyone in the paddock had spent the last twenty minutes moaning about the noise but no-one had bothered to report it except for Chris.
Gav and Martin noticed that Chris had put the chain on the North so tight it was like a bow string. If it was like that at Beezumph no wonder it snapped.
We are not living up to our team name and Chris is finding his spares box is becoming more and more depleted by people ‘borrowing’ inner tubes, bolts etc and not remembering to replace them at the next meeting. We don’t want to appear harsh but we are not Christian Aid, and we’re not the Samaritans either so we don’t want to hear your sob stories and excuses about why you forgot. If Chris was good enough to get you out of a fix please be good enough to replace the items at the next meeting or give him the money so he can buy them himself. All that will happen is that you will have to ask me if you want anything and the answer will inevitably be no.
The boys signed up for a half day track day to get in a bit more practice. Gav’s gear box had a mind of its own. It was a bit of a lucky dip – he never knew what he was going to get when he selected.
Very very noisy bikes being paraded over the weekend. It must have been ghastly when they all sounded like that. Qualifying was after lunch and Chris achieved 21st out of 40, 6th in class on the RPS and 13th out of 40, 5th in class on the North, approximately 1.4 seconds a lap faster than on the RPS. Martin collected the time sheets and Chris was listed as riding a twin!! Come on CRMC. Get your act together. The time sheets are full of mistakes every race meeting.
Ashley and Jim arrived during the afternoon and delivered the toaster for Keiran. Due to the great distance between the paddock and the holding area Chris had purchased a folding bicycle which ironically is called a Hanker. We will be starting the ‘W.A.N.C.A. on a Hanker’ gallery and invite people to have a go. Some find it a little more
difficult to get the hang of riding it compared to being on a normal bicycle and this has resulted in the rider becoming quite unstable at times - Martin! Where was the cameraman when you did your stunt in the garage that night!
Gav worked on his gear box after supper and booked a practice for Saturday morning to try it out. Supper was sort of busy. Lots of mouths to feed. Everyone was in bed before midnight and the rain chucked it down most of the night.
Saturday 10th August 2013
Chris’ starter was taken to the holding area and Brendan’s old Brigs & Stratton was kept in the garage. The RPS wouldn’t fire at first and it turned out that Chris’ 7 horse power starter turns it over quicker therefore charging the capacitor in the black box enough to make the bike fire whereas Brendan’s starts off fast but tails off quickly and wasn’t charging the capacitor enough to get the bike going. For once though, Chris’ starter didn’t get used in the holding area as at the end of each race there was no cool down lap and the bikes were being brought off at Redgate as soon as they’d passed the chequered flag.
After his practice session Gavin found his gear box had not improved but he courageously lined up for his first race anyway, desperate to gain signatures for completed races which would allow him to lose his fetching orange tabard by the end of 2013’s race season. On the first lap it jumped out of gear on the start/finish straight, grossly over-revved, instantly seized up and the engine ended up in the exhaust pipe and some was in the carburettor. So Gav’s little end is in a horrible mess. The pictures say it all.
Graham and Janet arrived and we had a busy lunchtime in the gazebo. The Battle of Britain fly-past of Lancaster flanked by Hurricane and Spitfire to the theme from the Dam Busters was very moving. They went over the circuit three times and Martin climbed onto the caravan roof to get some final photos of them heading off into the distance.
Whilst the North didn’t miss a beat all weekend the RPS was a bit of a naughty bike again. Its first race of the day, Lou and I were watching and thought Chris looked like he was going shopping but Chris vehemently defended himself by pointing out how fast some of the bikes in other classes in the same race were.
Second race of the day for the RPS and Chris came in complaining about being able to smell a hot clutch and that the rev counter was doing funny things. The clutch was taken apart to be readjusted and the plates deglazed. Final F750 of the day and with a couple of laps to go Chris found at 8,000 rpm the power just dropped off and he could hear a slight metallic noise. He raised his hand and pulled off the track. Had a look that evening and checked the valve clearances. They hadn’t closed up. The timing would have to be checked on Sunday as soon as bikes could be fired up.
Supper time was ridiculous. We had to do it in two sittings there were so many of us. (Ashley suggested we change the team name to We Are Not Catering Again).
Manic at breakfast. In the adjoining garage, Brendan Ryan had forgotten the toaster so Keiran was trying to make toast on our barbeque while I was cooking the bacon. A quick phone call to Ashley and Jim to bring a toaster was necessary. The fire alarm in the garages had been activated somehow by someone and Chris set off to find an official to get it silenced. Everyone in the paddock had spent the last twenty minutes moaning about the noise but no-one had bothered to report it except for Chris.
Gav and Martin noticed that Chris had put the chain on the North so tight it was like a bow string. If it was like that at Beezumph no wonder it snapped.
We are not living up to our team name and Chris is finding his spares box is becoming more and more depleted by people ‘borrowing’ inner tubes, bolts etc and not remembering to replace them at the next meeting. We don’t want to appear harsh but we are not Christian Aid, and we’re not the Samaritans either so we don’t want to hear your sob stories and excuses about why you forgot. If Chris was good enough to get you out of a fix please be good enough to replace the items at the next meeting or give him the money so he can buy them himself. All that will happen is that you will have to ask me if you want anything and the answer will inevitably be no.
The boys signed up for a half day track day to get in a bit more practice. Gav’s gear box had a mind of its own. It was a bit of a lucky dip – he never knew what he was going to get when he selected.
Very very noisy bikes being paraded over the weekend. It must have been ghastly when they all sounded like that. Qualifying was after lunch and Chris achieved 21st out of 40, 6th in class on the RPS and 13th out of 40, 5th in class on the North, approximately 1.4 seconds a lap faster than on the RPS. Martin collected the time sheets and Chris was listed as riding a twin!! Come on CRMC. Get your act together. The time sheets are full of mistakes every race meeting.
Ashley and Jim arrived during the afternoon and delivered the toaster for Keiran. Due to the great distance between the paddock and the holding area Chris had purchased a folding bicycle which ironically is called a Hanker. We will be starting the ‘W.A.N.C.A. on a Hanker’ gallery and invite people to have a go. Some find it a little more
difficult to get the hang of riding it compared to being on a normal bicycle and this has resulted in the rider becoming quite unstable at times - Martin! Where was the cameraman when you did your stunt in the garage that night!
Gav worked on his gear box after supper and booked a practice for Saturday morning to try it out. Supper was sort of busy. Lots of mouths to feed. Everyone was in bed before midnight and the rain chucked it down most of the night.
Saturday 10th August 2013
Chris’ starter was taken to the holding area and Brendan’s old Brigs & Stratton was kept in the garage. The RPS wouldn’t fire at first and it turned out that Chris’ 7 horse power starter turns it over quicker therefore charging the capacitor in the black box enough to make the bike fire whereas Brendan’s starts off fast but tails off quickly and wasn’t charging the capacitor enough to get the bike going. For once though, Chris’ starter didn’t get used in the holding area as at the end of each race there was no cool down lap and the bikes were being brought off at Redgate as soon as they’d passed the chequered flag.
After his practice session Gavin found his gear box had not improved but he courageously lined up for his first race anyway, desperate to gain signatures for completed races which would allow him to lose his fetching orange tabard by the end of 2013’s race season. On the first lap it jumped out of gear on the start/finish straight, grossly over-revved, instantly seized up and the engine ended up in the exhaust pipe and some was in the carburettor. So Gav’s little end is in a horrible mess. The pictures say it all.
Graham and Janet arrived and we had a busy lunchtime in the gazebo. The Battle of Britain fly-past of Lancaster flanked by Hurricane and Spitfire to the theme from the Dam Busters was very moving. They went over the circuit three times and Martin climbed onto the caravan roof to get some final photos of them heading off into the distance.
Whilst the North didn’t miss a beat all weekend the RPS was a bit of a naughty bike again. Its first race of the day, Lou and I were watching and thought Chris looked like he was going shopping but Chris vehemently defended himself by pointing out how fast some of the bikes in other classes in the same race were.
Second race of the day for the RPS and Chris came in complaining about being able to smell a hot clutch and that the rev counter was doing funny things. The clutch was taken apart to be readjusted and the plates deglazed. Final F750 of the day and with a couple of laps to go Chris found at 8,000 rpm the power just dropped off and he could hear a slight metallic noise. He raised his hand and pulled off the track. Had a look that evening and checked the valve clearances. They hadn’t closed up. The timing would have to be checked on Sunday as soon as bikes could be fired up.
Supper time was ridiculous. We had to do it in two sittings there were so many of us. (Ashley suggested we change the team name to We Are Not Catering Again).
Donington Park 2013 - Sunday
Sunday 11th August 2013
The timing on the RPS was checked and it was left to Richard Peckett to decide whether the bike should go out for its final race of the weekend. After some discussion Chris did the warm-up lap. It performed perfectly up to 8,000 rpm before getting valve bounce so Chris
brought it back to the garage and concentrated on the North. It is suspected an inner valve spring is broken and Chris will have a look this weekend.
The Rob North – named by the CRMC on page 46 of the souvenir program as a Trident Twin (wankers) – really came into its own compared to the 750 at Donnington. Its mid-range torque meant it could handle the serious elevations around the circuit.
Good to see Ian Steltner putting in an appearance and breaking away from his continental races for the weekend. Luckily for Chris Ian was suffering from very bad arm-pump so after dicing with him for most of the races, Chris managed to beat him each time.
We would like to apologise for making it sound like Gavin didn’t change his pants at the last meeting. He now has lots of different colours so he can prove to his mother he wears a fresh pair each day whether the worn ones are soiled or not.
Thank you Richard and Rebecca, Graham and Janet, and Pat for coming to support Chris.
Thank you to all our team for all the work they did especially to Martin who was dashing about like a maniac all weekend, to Lou for all the work she did on my neck and to all the people who kindly put a donation in the little pot we stuck on the sad little 125.
One meeting to go and Ashley and I have the difficult task of deciding who will win the ‘Top Wanca Annual Trophy’. I know you will all be watching for the announcement and getting very excited about it. The Terms and Conditions will be uploaded when the T.W.A.T. is awarded.
See you all at Snetterton. (Ashley won’t be there as he’s on holiday, again)
Jane Chapman - Long Suffering Wife
The timing on the RPS was checked and it was left to Richard Peckett to decide whether the bike should go out for its final race of the weekend. After some discussion Chris did the warm-up lap. It performed perfectly up to 8,000 rpm before getting valve bounce so Chris
brought it back to the garage and concentrated on the North. It is suspected an inner valve spring is broken and Chris will have a look this weekend.
The Rob North – named by the CRMC on page 46 of the souvenir program as a Trident Twin (wankers) – really came into its own compared to the 750 at Donnington. Its mid-range torque meant it could handle the serious elevations around the circuit.
Good to see Ian Steltner putting in an appearance and breaking away from his continental races for the weekend. Luckily for Chris Ian was suffering from very bad arm-pump so after dicing with him for most of the races, Chris managed to beat him each time.
We would like to apologise for making it sound like Gavin didn’t change his pants at the last meeting. He now has lots of different colours so he can prove to his mother he wears a fresh pair each day whether the worn ones are soiled or not.
Thank you Richard and Rebecca, Graham and Janet, and Pat for coming to support Chris.
Thank you to all our team for all the work they did especially to Martin who was dashing about like a maniac all weekend, to Lou for all the work she did on my neck and to all the people who kindly put a donation in the little pot we stuck on the sad little 125.
One meeting to go and Ashley and I have the difficult task of deciding who will win the ‘Top Wanca Annual Trophy’. I know you will all be watching for the announcement and getting very excited about it. The Terms and Conditions will be uploaded when the T.W.A.T. is awarded.
See you all at Snetterton. (Ashley won’t be there as he’s on holiday, again)
Jane Chapman - Long Suffering Wife
Morini Day 2013
Monday 29th July 2013
Those who arrived on the Thursday evening were greeted by the unthinkable. The bar had closed at 6pm. Worse was to come though. On the Friday evening the bar wasn’t going to open at all !
A group of our lot did a track walk which started and finished with them having to lift Rod’s mobility scooter over the fence and it’s no lightweight.
We were somewhat concerned about Martin’s non-arrival by 10pm so I decided to ring him and he had gone to bed! He would be setting off Saturday morning as he’d
suffered some delays. We ate at last and headed for bed late.
On Friday morning, in typical laid-back Morini fashion, the track day started at 10am. The weather was hot and humid with a slight breeze. Hilary drove me to Louth where we shopped and learned the geography of the town. Everyone had plenty of track time and Chris did his final session on Tony Hayward’s FZ600. Two Fireblades and a Yamaha R1 were suitably unimpressed when they were overtaken by Tony’s £600 ebay special. Chris said he can now understand why when he races with them in the F750s and they are ridden by a couple of head-cases they can stay with a good full race triple.
Even with the bar closed that evening there were a lot of very noisy pissed people keeping many of us awake into the early hours of Saturday morning and one particular gentleman who kept shouting just for the hell of it. I’m sure many would agree with me that he needed his throat stamped on.
Those who arrived on the Thursday evening were greeted by the unthinkable. The bar had closed at 6pm. Worse was to come though. On the Friday evening the bar wasn’t going to open at all !
A group of our lot did a track walk which started and finished with them having to lift Rod’s mobility scooter over the fence and it’s no lightweight.
We were somewhat concerned about Martin’s non-arrival by 10pm so I decided to ring him and he had gone to bed! He would be setting off Saturday morning as he’d
suffered some delays. We ate at last and headed for bed late.
On Friday morning, in typical laid-back Morini fashion, the track day started at 10am. The weather was hot and humid with a slight breeze. Hilary drove me to Louth where we shopped and learned the geography of the town. Everyone had plenty of track time and Chris did his final session on Tony Hayward’s FZ600. Two Fireblades and a Yamaha R1 were suitably unimpressed when they were overtaken by Tony’s £600 ebay special. Chris said he can now understand why when he races with them in the F750s and they are ridden by a couple of head-cases they can stay with a good full race triple.
Even with the bar closed that evening there were a lot of very noisy pissed people keeping many of us awake into the early hours of Saturday morning and one particular gentleman who kept shouting just for the hell of it. I’m sure many would agree with me that he needed his throat stamped on.
Beezumph 22
Monday 29th July 2013
We were all up early Saturday morning. Chris ‘supported’ Graham Redrup with the riders’ briefing by displaying the various warning flags in a somewhat balletic fashion. The boys donned their Marshalls’ vests and did their thing on the sighting laps and then the fun began.
Again, lots of track time for everyone. The boys occasionally swapping bikes with each other.
After lunch Graham called Chris to the pit lane to take a rider round the track. Chris followed the rider for a couple of laps to assess
him and then rode in front to show him the lines.
On the fourth lap Chris’ chain came off and hit him on the back, taking a chunk out of the rear seat unit on the way. The chain may have got a stone under it as a most of the teeth on the rear sprocket got their tips broken off. I managed to squeeze my arm in to reach the main drive sprocket and flip the chain onto it and got absolutely filthy.
Dave Whitfield got involved and he too became heavily contaminated with oil and grease and complained that Chris was wearing the gloves while he had bare hands. This incident could lead to all sorts of problems regarding the rider Chris was teaching. Chris had just signalled to the rider to pass him when the chain broke. Chris pulled onto the grass and one can imagine the rider assuming he had lost Chris and was doing really well and considering taking up racing.
Last session of the day and Martin came in early having lost some gears and was nearly rammed by Gavin on the track. Chris decided to take Gav’s 125 out for his last session but stalled it. At the steep slope down to the holding area Kevin and Graham stepped forward to give him a bump. It fired and Kevin stopped pushing but as Chris shot off Graham was still pushing and totally off-balance hurtled into the ground splitting his knee open. He had various other nasty cuts and scrapes but the knee was so
severe Dave Cruickshank had to take him to Louth medical centre to have it x-rayed.
Graham was told that his knee would have to be thoroughly cleaned and that it would be done under anaesthetic. Having had a cannula put in for antibiotics he had to be transferred to Lincoln hospital by ambulance and Dave had to follow in the car. Nothing had happened by midnight so Dave left Graham at the hospital and drove back to Cadwell in almost zero visibility arriving at around 2am and crawled into his tent and crashed out.
While Graham and Dave were on their way to Lincoln the evening part of the Beezumph was beginning and with Graham now missing everything turned a bit weird. We just take it for granted he’ll always be there. The hog-roasters arrived and wandered about aimlessly asking various people where they should set up their stuff. None of the other committee members seemed to be answering their mobiles and half an hour passed before Chris found someone who knew.
The air had turned much cooler from 4pm and the ground started to steam. As the mist thickened things started vanishing into it increasing the feeling that we were abandoned and falling into chaos. Should we get Graham and Dave’s hog-roast? How would we get it without tickets? It all had a profound affect on our little party and put a damper on the evening knowing Graham loved this bit of the Beezumph and he was missing it.
The night was a bit wet but very windy. Chris had to get up at 4.15am to shut the gazebo door as it had unzipped and was thrashing about. Gav’s bike had been blown over and he spent a bit of time choosing where to put it so it wouldn’t happen again. He got up again at 5.50am to shut the gazebo door again and this time peg it down!
In the morning we all got ready to leave. We said goodbye to Dave having loaded him up with food and he set off to hang around the outskirts of Lincoln or wherever he could get free parking for a while. I felt his pleasure at my giving him the rest of the camembert would be short lived as it smelt really strong and he’d only notice when he next left the car and then got back in again. I saw it as a good mugger repellent though and hoped Graham didn’t come out of hospital feeling queasy.
Eventually Graham discharged himself (from hospital) and Dave drove him straight to Frimley hospital. He had the operation late this afternoon (Mon 29th). He’ll be there
over-night with the wound still open so it can be examined again tomorrow to see if it’s clean enough to close or requires more attention.
So poor old Graham. (Though it’s amazing the lengths people will go to to get out of helping take the gazebo down.) Well done Dave for being such a thoroughly good chap.
Martin’s 3rd gear has lost a few teeth but he won’t know the full extent of the damage until he takes out the sleeve gear.
We have just heard that Graham can leave the hospital tomorrow after seeing the consultant so that is good news. Team W.A.N.C.A wish him a speedy recovery but feel we should just say (with the risk of bursting his bubble) – Graham! That’s not what they mean by ‘Getting your knee down’.
We were all up early Saturday morning. Chris ‘supported’ Graham Redrup with the riders’ briefing by displaying the various warning flags in a somewhat balletic fashion. The boys donned their Marshalls’ vests and did their thing on the sighting laps and then the fun began.
Again, lots of track time for everyone. The boys occasionally swapping bikes with each other.
After lunch Graham called Chris to the pit lane to take a rider round the track. Chris followed the rider for a couple of laps to assess
him and then rode in front to show him the lines.
On the fourth lap Chris’ chain came off and hit him on the back, taking a chunk out of the rear seat unit on the way. The chain may have got a stone under it as a most of the teeth on the rear sprocket got their tips broken off. I managed to squeeze my arm in to reach the main drive sprocket and flip the chain onto it and got absolutely filthy.
Dave Whitfield got involved and he too became heavily contaminated with oil and grease and complained that Chris was wearing the gloves while he had bare hands. This incident could lead to all sorts of problems regarding the rider Chris was teaching. Chris had just signalled to the rider to pass him when the chain broke. Chris pulled onto the grass and one can imagine the rider assuming he had lost Chris and was doing really well and considering taking up racing.
Last session of the day and Martin came in early having lost some gears and was nearly rammed by Gavin on the track. Chris decided to take Gav’s 125 out for his last session but stalled it. At the steep slope down to the holding area Kevin and Graham stepped forward to give him a bump. It fired and Kevin stopped pushing but as Chris shot off Graham was still pushing and totally off-balance hurtled into the ground splitting his knee open. He had various other nasty cuts and scrapes but the knee was so
severe Dave Cruickshank had to take him to Louth medical centre to have it x-rayed.
Graham was told that his knee would have to be thoroughly cleaned and that it would be done under anaesthetic. Having had a cannula put in for antibiotics he had to be transferred to Lincoln hospital by ambulance and Dave had to follow in the car. Nothing had happened by midnight so Dave left Graham at the hospital and drove back to Cadwell in almost zero visibility arriving at around 2am and crawled into his tent and crashed out.
While Graham and Dave were on their way to Lincoln the evening part of the Beezumph was beginning and with Graham now missing everything turned a bit weird. We just take it for granted he’ll always be there. The hog-roasters arrived and wandered about aimlessly asking various people where they should set up their stuff. None of the other committee members seemed to be answering their mobiles and half an hour passed before Chris found someone who knew.
The air had turned much cooler from 4pm and the ground started to steam. As the mist thickened things started vanishing into it increasing the feeling that we were abandoned and falling into chaos. Should we get Graham and Dave’s hog-roast? How would we get it without tickets? It all had a profound affect on our little party and put a damper on the evening knowing Graham loved this bit of the Beezumph and he was missing it.
The night was a bit wet but very windy. Chris had to get up at 4.15am to shut the gazebo door as it had unzipped and was thrashing about. Gav’s bike had been blown over and he spent a bit of time choosing where to put it so it wouldn’t happen again. He got up again at 5.50am to shut the gazebo door again and this time peg it down!
In the morning we all got ready to leave. We said goodbye to Dave having loaded him up with food and he set off to hang around the outskirts of Lincoln or wherever he could get free parking for a while. I felt his pleasure at my giving him the rest of the camembert would be short lived as it smelt really strong and he’d only notice when he next left the car and then got back in again. I saw it as a good mugger repellent though and hoped Graham didn’t come out of hospital feeling queasy.
Eventually Graham discharged himself (from hospital) and Dave drove him straight to Frimley hospital. He had the operation late this afternoon (Mon 29th). He’ll be there
over-night with the wound still open so it can be examined again tomorrow to see if it’s clean enough to close or requires more attention.
So poor old Graham. (Though it’s amazing the lengths people will go to to get out of helping take the gazebo down.) Well done Dave for being such a thoroughly good chap.
Martin’s 3rd gear has lost a few teeth but he won’t know the full extent of the damage until he takes out the sleeve gear.
We have just heard that Graham can leave the hospital tomorrow after seeing the consultant so that is good news. Team W.A.N.C.A wish him a speedy recovery but feel we should just say (with the risk of bursting his bubble) – Graham! That’s not what they mean by ‘Getting your knee down’.
Pembrey 2013 - Friday and Saturday
Friday 12th July - Test Day
Chris decided to do a half day practice and thank goodness he did. After trying some alterations to the North’s throttle so he could accelerate with one handful instead of two, the first practice session revealed that the throttle wouldn’t shut off properly. As well as that the front end had a huge amount of chatter from the front end on braking and cornering.
Abandoning the North Chris turned to the RPS. That wouldn’t start at all to begin with. Ashley took over the starter so Martin could have a listen and it fired up straight away (skill!) but it sounded like bolts in a blender.
Martin started work on the North. Chris knew the success of the new throttle was borderline but he hadn’t done anything about it. Shortening the cable a little didn’t produce the desired affect so Martin had another go.
Last session on the North and the throttle still wouldn’t shut off cleanly so it was back to two springs instead of one. It was still handling badly though and Chris was going to get nowhere in the races with it like that. Graham got stuck into the North as soon as he arrived putting his new birthday present shirt on the line. Luckily he only got
an oil smear on his calf. He was handed a scented exfoliating wet-wipe to dab it away which he liked so much he did both legs from top to bottom.
Martin’s main achievement of the day with the RPS was finding on the ignition pick-up electrical terminal block all the screws were loose. Chris took it out in the final session and it was running beautifully.
After dinner Chris went off to scrounge tickets and Martin got back to work, this time on the North’s handling problem. After checking every suggestion anyone could come up with he turned his attention to the front wheel rim which looked like scrap-heap challenge it had so many weights on it. – it was the first time Chris had used a machine to balance the wheel instead of doing it himself! Martin removed 95g and left 35g. Chris would try it out in practice the following morning.
Practice? I hear you all say. Don’t you mean Qualifying? – No. Because at Pembrey those in charge have deemed that we have practice and then qualifying at this meeting.
Martin did a marvellous job working away from dinner to bedtime with only one toilet break. He complained he was in pain towards the end but he soldiered on regardless because he is a true W.A.N.C.A to the core. He got a bit defensive when he was asked how much he’d had to drink but he gets the job done so what does it matter.
Chris managed to mend marshal Neil’s radio by switching it on thereby saving Martin a job who’s widely known as a genius in electrical engineering. ‘Highly accomplished’ to use Martin’s own words. Honestly though we find Martin is good at everything. Gavin scored him 9.5 in the evening’s lock-wiring event! At 10.30pm, just when we thought he’d finished, Martin vanished behind the bike again. ‘I forgot to check the brakes’ he said with an exhausted look before collapsing into a chair. What a star! He’s going to be W.A.N.C.A of the Year at this rate.
The only casualty of the day – another pair of Chris’ lucky pants bit the dust. All threadbare and see-through at the back. With lots of bending over to do in polite company, they were banished to the bin. Gav was sporting new heavy duty latex red trunks and he either had more than one red pair or he didn’t change them all weekend.
Saturday 13th July
Qualifying – Gav achieved 16th on the grid. Chris on the RPS 8th and on the North 6th. The North’s handling was much improved but still not right. It was a very hot day. Pat and the children arrived and Lea was given the job of Chief neck-cooler for the weekend – dipping cloths in the melt water from Jim Pipe’s 10 kilos of ice and placing
them round the necks of the riders as they came in. Unfortunately in his first race Gav lost it at Hatchetts. The knee-sliders are still rather virginal but he got his elbow and head down!
It should be noted that Chris qualified 8th on the RPS with one eye shut as a contact lens had dried out, with a time of 1.09.608, pole position was taken by Gorgeous George in 1.05.315.
On the North Chris qualified in 6th with a time of 1.08.765 and pole position was taken by Cormac Conroy in 1.05.684.
Race 1 - Formula 750:
In Chris' first race on the RPS (and of the day), Chris couldn’t bear Gav getting all the attention so he missed a gear at the Esses, couldn’t make the corner and took to the grass scuffing up the fairing decals as he slid away. Gorgeous George, Cormac Conroy and Rob Wittey completed the top three in class.
Race 2 - 1300 Multi's:
First race on the North and Chris finished 3rd in class behind Gorgeous George and Alan Oversby. Cormac Conroy recorded a DNF in this race.
Race 3 - Fomula 750:
Chris finished 4th in class (6th on track) in this race, behind Gorgeous George, Rob Wittey and Cormac Conroy.
After the final race it was all hands to the North’s handling problem. It turned out to be loose headrace bearings! - Tut! Chris!! Graham and Janet spent the evening with us and had supper. Janet loved Chris’ Coq en Cidre and even ate the mushrooms, and she hates mushrooms.
A good day’s racing all round. Everybody in our group safe and well at the end of it and blessed with a cool night for sleeping.
Chris decided to do a half day practice and thank goodness he did. After trying some alterations to the North’s throttle so he could accelerate with one handful instead of two, the first practice session revealed that the throttle wouldn’t shut off properly. As well as that the front end had a huge amount of chatter from the front end on braking and cornering.
Abandoning the North Chris turned to the RPS. That wouldn’t start at all to begin with. Ashley took over the starter so Martin could have a listen and it fired up straight away (skill!) but it sounded like bolts in a blender.
Martin started work on the North. Chris knew the success of the new throttle was borderline but he hadn’t done anything about it. Shortening the cable a little didn’t produce the desired affect so Martin had another go.
Last session on the North and the throttle still wouldn’t shut off cleanly so it was back to two springs instead of one. It was still handling badly though and Chris was going to get nowhere in the races with it like that. Graham got stuck into the North as soon as he arrived putting his new birthday present shirt on the line. Luckily he only got
an oil smear on his calf. He was handed a scented exfoliating wet-wipe to dab it away which he liked so much he did both legs from top to bottom.
Martin’s main achievement of the day with the RPS was finding on the ignition pick-up electrical terminal block all the screws were loose. Chris took it out in the final session and it was running beautifully.
After dinner Chris went off to scrounge tickets and Martin got back to work, this time on the North’s handling problem. After checking every suggestion anyone could come up with he turned his attention to the front wheel rim which looked like scrap-heap challenge it had so many weights on it. – it was the first time Chris had used a machine to balance the wheel instead of doing it himself! Martin removed 95g and left 35g. Chris would try it out in practice the following morning.
Practice? I hear you all say. Don’t you mean Qualifying? – No. Because at Pembrey those in charge have deemed that we have practice and then qualifying at this meeting.
Martin did a marvellous job working away from dinner to bedtime with only one toilet break. He complained he was in pain towards the end but he soldiered on regardless because he is a true W.A.N.C.A to the core. He got a bit defensive when he was asked how much he’d had to drink but he gets the job done so what does it matter.
Chris managed to mend marshal Neil’s radio by switching it on thereby saving Martin a job who’s widely known as a genius in electrical engineering. ‘Highly accomplished’ to use Martin’s own words. Honestly though we find Martin is good at everything. Gavin scored him 9.5 in the evening’s lock-wiring event! At 10.30pm, just when we thought he’d finished, Martin vanished behind the bike again. ‘I forgot to check the brakes’ he said with an exhausted look before collapsing into a chair. What a star! He’s going to be W.A.N.C.A of the Year at this rate.
The only casualty of the day – another pair of Chris’ lucky pants bit the dust. All threadbare and see-through at the back. With lots of bending over to do in polite company, they were banished to the bin. Gav was sporting new heavy duty latex red trunks and he either had more than one red pair or he didn’t change them all weekend.
Saturday 13th July
Qualifying – Gav achieved 16th on the grid. Chris on the RPS 8th and on the North 6th. The North’s handling was much improved but still not right. It was a very hot day. Pat and the children arrived and Lea was given the job of Chief neck-cooler for the weekend – dipping cloths in the melt water from Jim Pipe’s 10 kilos of ice and placing
them round the necks of the riders as they came in. Unfortunately in his first race Gav lost it at Hatchetts. The knee-sliders are still rather virginal but he got his elbow and head down!
It should be noted that Chris qualified 8th on the RPS with one eye shut as a contact lens had dried out, with a time of 1.09.608, pole position was taken by Gorgeous George in 1.05.315.
On the North Chris qualified in 6th with a time of 1.08.765 and pole position was taken by Cormac Conroy in 1.05.684.
Race 1 - Formula 750:
In Chris' first race on the RPS (and of the day), Chris couldn’t bear Gav getting all the attention so he missed a gear at the Esses, couldn’t make the corner and took to the grass scuffing up the fairing decals as he slid away. Gorgeous George, Cormac Conroy and Rob Wittey completed the top three in class.
Race 2 - 1300 Multi's:
First race on the North and Chris finished 3rd in class behind Gorgeous George and Alan Oversby. Cormac Conroy recorded a DNF in this race.
Race 3 - Fomula 750:
Chris finished 4th in class (6th on track) in this race, behind Gorgeous George, Rob Wittey and Cormac Conroy.
After the final race it was all hands to the North’s handling problem. It turned out to be loose headrace bearings! - Tut! Chris!! Graham and Janet spent the evening with us and had supper. Janet loved Chris’ Coq en Cidre and even ate the mushrooms, and she hates mushrooms.
A good day’s racing all round. Everybody in our group safe and well at the end of it and blessed with a cool night for sleeping.
Pembrey 2013 - Sunday
Sunday 14th July
Mad dogs and English men.....Hot! Hot! Hot!! today and non-stop neck cooling duties for Lea! Graham and Janet went to Tesco and stocked us up with ice and barley water to stop us dying.
Race 4 - 1300 Multi's:
Chris finished 4th in class in this race, with the front four all riding triples. A close battle between Cormac and George concluded with George winning by 0.313, with Alan Oversby trailing 2nd place man Cormac by 0.377. Chris was over twenty seconds behind, but had a five second safety margin to 5th place.
Race 5 - Formula 750:
3rd in class in this race for Chris behind Gorgeous George and Rob Wittey, another DNF in this race for Cormac Conroy. Mike Dollittle managed a 5th in class, only a few seconds behind Chris.
Charlie Sanby Trophy Race:
On the RPS in the Trophy race just getting into Brooklands Hairpin Chris lost the front end and already on his knee managed to push down on it hard and save the bike from crashing. He continued the race and finished in 9th place, with Mike Cooper (who I said would win) taking the win. The fact that this race started with only 18 riders, is owing to the incredible heat which lasted the whole weekend. Chris, against the better judgement of the rest of Team W.A.N.C.A., decided to compete the race, despite having the National, a Formula 750 and a Mulit's race still to go.
Race 6 - 1300 National:
Chris managed a 3rd in class in the national behind Cormac and Alan Oversby. Gorgeous George was excluded from the race due to an oil leak spotted in the assembly area. This good fortune means that in my book, Chris is leading this class by 2 points (see Championship Update on Home page).
Race 7 - Formula 750:
Gorgeous George completed his clean sweep in this class with his fourth win of the weekend, Chris was relegated to 4th in class, behind Rob Wittey and Cormac Conroy.
Race 8 - 1300 Mulit's:
In the final championship race of the weekend, Cormac took the win by almost 7 seconds, with Chris finishing 4th in class and 5th on track, with the only non-triple in front of him being Carl Adams.
Chris and I left quite late. We were so tired it was a huge effort to drive. We swapped after the Severn bridge and I made it to the other side of Reading but I had to pull in at the services for Chris to finish the journey.
Arriving home at 12:30am we flung the caravan into the drive and left everything until the morning. I had a quick shower and went to bed but Chris couldn’t resist getting into a bit of bike racing on the telly so he didn’t get to bed for ages.
Many thanks to all who helped over the weekend. Special thanks to Martin who transported the Rob North to and from the circuit in his pick-up. We know he would have ridden there if Chris hadn’t have been stuck and it’s a big sacrifice. So again thank you Martin (earned some well deserved W.A.N.C.A. points there !)
See some of you at Beezumph and then it’s the three day Donington in August. It’ll be great having electricity there if it’s as hot as this. One fridge is not enough!
Jane and Ashley
Mad dogs and English men.....Hot! Hot! Hot!! today and non-stop neck cooling duties for Lea! Graham and Janet went to Tesco and stocked us up with ice and barley water to stop us dying.
Race 4 - 1300 Multi's:
Chris finished 4th in class in this race, with the front four all riding triples. A close battle between Cormac and George concluded with George winning by 0.313, with Alan Oversby trailing 2nd place man Cormac by 0.377. Chris was over twenty seconds behind, but had a five second safety margin to 5th place.
Race 5 - Formula 750:
3rd in class in this race for Chris behind Gorgeous George and Rob Wittey, another DNF in this race for Cormac Conroy. Mike Dollittle managed a 5th in class, only a few seconds behind Chris.
Charlie Sanby Trophy Race:
On the RPS in the Trophy race just getting into Brooklands Hairpin Chris lost the front end and already on his knee managed to push down on it hard and save the bike from crashing. He continued the race and finished in 9th place, with Mike Cooper (who I said would win) taking the win. The fact that this race started with only 18 riders, is owing to the incredible heat which lasted the whole weekend. Chris, against the better judgement of the rest of Team W.A.N.C.A., decided to compete the race, despite having the National, a Formula 750 and a Mulit's race still to go.
Race 6 - 1300 National:
Chris managed a 3rd in class in the national behind Cormac and Alan Oversby. Gorgeous George was excluded from the race due to an oil leak spotted in the assembly area. This good fortune means that in my book, Chris is leading this class by 2 points (see Championship Update on Home page).
Race 7 - Formula 750:
Gorgeous George completed his clean sweep in this class with his fourth win of the weekend, Chris was relegated to 4th in class, behind Rob Wittey and Cormac Conroy.
Race 8 - 1300 Mulit's:
In the final championship race of the weekend, Cormac took the win by almost 7 seconds, with Chris finishing 4th in class and 5th on track, with the only non-triple in front of him being Carl Adams.
Chris and I left quite late. We were so tired it was a huge effort to drive. We swapped after the Severn bridge and I made it to the other side of Reading but I had to pull in at the services for Chris to finish the journey.
Arriving home at 12:30am we flung the caravan into the drive and left everything until the morning. I had a quick shower and went to bed but Chris couldn’t resist getting into a bit of bike racing on the telly so he didn’t get to bed for ages.
Many thanks to all who helped over the weekend. Special thanks to Martin who transported the Rob North to and from the circuit in his pick-up. We know he would have ridden there if Chris hadn’t have been stuck and it’s a big sacrifice. So again thank you Martin (earned some well deserved W.A.N.C.A. points there !)
See some of you at Beezumph and then it’s the three day Donington in August. It’ll be great having electricity there if it’s as hot as this. One fridge is not enough!
Jane and Ashley
Cadwell Park 2013 - Friday and Saturday
Mike won't be directing traffic for a while
Friday 14th June 2013
Arriving at the circuit at 1.30pm Thursday, having mentioned torrential rain was expected at 2pm, Chris immediately sat and took tea with neighbours. We’d barely got the sides on the gazebo when the wind picked up and the heavens opened and we had to wait inside for the next couple of hours unable to do anything.
The evening, however, was still, with a clear sky and impressive sunset. Our new gazebo frame and roof was so easy to put up. Unfortunately when we are in the gazebo the deep blue colour of the roof makes us all look like long term drinkers with purple noses.
Friday was a fine day. Chris went off early in the van to visit Steve Lomas at 5-1 Wheels and left a rim to be laced, forgot the spoke he wanted to take with him and had to go again the following evening. We spent the afternoon making cauliflower cheese and directing new arrivals away from the spaces we were trying to save in the paddock. Tony and Hilary arrived with the rain, and boy did it rain. Tracey and Mike set up camp in it and Tracey stoically completed her chores soaked to the skin.
After supper, Chris decided on a ‘quick’ tyre change. Really he did it for Gavin as he’d only just arrived and likes nothing better than to get stuck in on Chris’ stuff before sorting out his own. Gav, Chris and Lou did a track walk leaving Martin to pump the tyre and balance the wheel. The strong gusty winds brought rain before bed and it
chucked it down all night.
Saturday 15th June 2013
Oh to be at Cadwell when the sun is shining..........
We were teased into a false sense of security by waking to blue sky. Chris overfilled his oil tank again, even though Martin and Gavin protested. It’s amazing how many people have to be involved to sort out a situation after Chris hasn’t done as he’s told. Mike provided the container (we have it safe and clean for you Mike), Gav, the syringe and tube, and I got to wash it afterwards giving mild amusement to passers-by who were probably wondering - is there no end to the services we provide.
Then we had the obligatory ‘Which Visor’ half hour before Qualifying began as the light was so changeable. The already gusty wind became more ferocious and the rain started......... Chris set out, not looking forward to being in the first session to test the track conditions. Qualfiying was red-flagged after 3 laps, when Mike high-sided at the Hairpin but ended up on the entry to Barn!
Tracey set off to the medical centre to take Mike some clothes. I reached the holding area with her as Chris was coming down the approach on the RPS for Qualifying. It’s sheeting-it down and where are his waterproofs? Chris stopped under a tree. ‘Could you get me an umbrella’ he asked. (Piss-off mate. It’s up-hill all the way to the van and you’ll be out by the time I get back.) Then lovely Martin arrives with one. He was waiting in the holding area for ages for Chris and came out to find him. Achieving 15th
position for the weekend out of 47, Chris squelched back to camp. He said it was awful out there. Much standing water and, in places, huge rivers running across the track especially at Mansfield in the turn-in area as you come off the brakes. It rained so hard that the oil started to lift out of the tarmac and make it rainbow coloured.
It hailed when Gav was out and he nearly got blown off the track at one point and was concerned he’d had an sticky pants moment. His bravery was rewarded. He achieved 21st on the grid for the weekend which, like the pants, should not be sniffed at.
Chris’ group did not get another session to Qualify – everyone was given in their entry pack a piece of paper from CRMC which included their tip for Timed Practice Grid Positions – ‘No rush to record your best lap, take your time to record a safe lap early in the session before attempting a pole position’ - the riders were still at the ‘take your time’ bit when the session was stopped so they should have been given another chance. So Chris was stuck with 25th/43 the whole weekend.
By now the news about Mike had reached us. He had a broken collar bone and he also was caught on the right footrest high up the inside of his thigh which he said was
more painful than anything else at the time. He and Tracey were going to see out the rest of the day and go home early Sunday morning. After Chris’ unfortunate start at Anglesey we were hoping everyone would get through this filthy, wet day unscathed.
11.30am and Dave Whitfield arrived in time for Chris’ first race which got very exciting at the front between Gorgeous George and Cormac. George nearly won but missed a gear at the last and Cormac cleaned up. Chris came in 3rd in class and came in with the back of the bike spattered with some oil from the breather.
Chris left me to wash the bike’s rear end and the RPS was fired up for the Formula 750s - Dave lowering himself to attend to menial tasks like removing the paddock stand, and then having to do it again as Chris stalled as he pulled away. It was still very wet. At over 100 Chris got it absolutely sideways and was out of the seat at Copse on the first lap. He held the throttle open and it caught and straightened out but it was SO close. After having another moment at Chris Curve with it spinning up and then sliding at Mansfield he completed the race at a slightly less hasty pace but still got a 4th in class.
Back in the paddock some spectators sought him out and said it was the most exciting save they’d seen for a long time. And Gorgeous George, who’d been following the RPS, came over to ‘touch Chris for good luck’. Martin had a look at the bike’s back tyre and it had 2005 on it. The wheel and tyre had been gifted to Chris by Richard
Peckett which was a sweet thought but the tyre was rubbish and nearly cost Chris dearly. Everybody emptied their pockets to scrape together the £180 for the new tyre and Martin waited at the stall while it was fitted. The inner tube in the old tyre had been ‘nipped’! Chris could have got a puncture at any time!
The last two races were fairly incident free as the weather improved. A 3rd in class on the North and a 4th in class on the RPS.
Chris went off to find a cash point and to drop in at Steve’s with his spoke while I started supper. I now dread meal times. Something always goes wrong and I hate cooking SO much. I didn’t take much persuading when Hilary offered me her oven to cook the cauliflower cheese. (I paused for a moment for politeness’ sake before answering yes please).
When Chris returned it was cooked perfectly and he grilled the fillet, and a meal of a reasonable standard was served. Nothing burnt in other words. We’ve had a lot
of charcoal this year. There was still quite a strong wind at times but no more rain. I was feeling quite tired and for the first time in many years I went to bed without doing the washing up. Lou and I had wet-wiped the plates earlier so it was fine to leave them. Everyone was in bed by midnight.
Arriving at the circuit at 1.30pm Thursday, having mentioned torrential rain was expected at 2pm, Chris immediately sat and took tea with neighbours. We’d barely got the sides on the gazebo when the wind picked up and the heavens opened and we had to wait inside for the next couple of hours unable to do anything.
The evening, however, was still, with a clear sky and impressive sunset. Our new gazebo frame and roof was so easy to put up. Unfortunately when we are in the gazebo the deep blue colour of the roof makes us all look like long term drinkers with purple noses.
Friday was a fine day. Chris went off early in the van to visit Steve Lomas at 5-1 Wheels and left a rim to be laced, forgot the spoke he wanted to take with him and had to go again the following evening. We spent the afternoon making cauliflower cheese and directing new arrivals away from the spaces we were trying to save in the paddock. Tony and Hilary arrived with the rain, and boy did it rain. Tracey and Mike set up camp in it and Tracey stoically completed her chores soaked to the skin.
After supper, Chris decided on a ‘quick’ tyre change. Really he did it for Gavin as he’d only just arrived and likes nothing better than to get stuck in on Chris’ stuff before sorting out his own. Gav, Chris and Lou did a track walk leaving Martin to pump the tyre and balance the wheel. The strong gusty winds brought rain before bed and it
chucked it down all night.
Saturday 15th June 2013
Oh to be at Cadwell when the sun is shining..........
We were teased into a false sense of security by waking to blue sky. Chris overfilled his oil tank again, even though Martin and Gavin protested. It’s amazing how many people have to be involved to sort out a situation after Chris hasn’t done as he’s told. Mike provided the container (we have it safe and clean for you Mike), Gav, the syringe and tube, and I got to wash it afterwards giving mild amusement to passers-by who were probably wondering - is there no end to the services we provide.
Then we had the obligatory ‘Which Visor’ half hour before Qualifying began as the light was so changeable. The already gusty wind became more ferocious and the rain started......... Chris set out, not looking forward to being in the first session to test the track conditions. Qualfiying was red-flagged after 3 laps, when Mike high-sided at the Hairpin but ended up on the entry to Barn!
Tracey set off to the medical centre to take Mike some clothes. I reached the holding area with her as Chris was coming down the approach on the RPS for Qualifying. It’s sheeting-it down and where are his waterproofs? Chris stopped under a tree. ‘Could you get me an umbrella’ he asked. (Piss-off mate. It’s up-hill all the way to the van and you’ll be out by the time I get back.) Then lovely Martin arrives with one. He was waiting in the holding area for ages for Chris and came out to find him. Achieving 15th
position for the weekend out of 47, Chris squelched back to camp. He said it was awful out there. Much standing water and, in places, huge rivers running across the track especially at Mansfield in the turn-in area as you come off the brakes. It rained so hard that the oil started to lift out of the tarmac and make it rainbow coloured.
It hailed when Gav was out and he nearly got blown off the track at one point and was concerned he’d had an sticky pants moment. His bravery was rewarded. He achieved 21st on the grid for the weekend which, like the pants, should not be sniffed at.
Chris’ group did not get another session to Qualify – everyone was given in their entry pack a piece of paper from CRMC which included their tip for Timed Practice Grid Positions – ‘No rush to record your best lap, take your time to record a safe lap early in the session before attempting a pole position’ - the riders were still at the ‘take your time’ bit when the session was stopped so they should have been given another chance. So Chris was stuck with 25th/43 the whole weekend.
By now the news about Mike had reached us. He had a broken collar bone and he also was caught on the right footrest high up the inside of his thigh which he said was
more painful than anything else at the time. He and Tracey were going to see out the rest of the day and go home early Sunday morning. After Chris’ unfortunate start at Anglesey we were hoping everyone would get through this filthy, wet day unscathed.
11.30am and Dave Whitfield arrived in time for Chris’ first race which got very exciting at the front between Gorgeous George and Cormac. George nearly won but missed a gear at the last and Cormac cleaned up. Chris came in 3rd in class and came in with the back of the bike spattered with some oil from the breather.
Chris left me to wash the bike’s rear end and the RPS was fired up for the Formula 750s - Dave lowering himself to attend to menial tasks like removing the paddock stand, and then having to do it again as Chris stalled as he pulled away. It was still very wet. At over 100 Chris got it absolutely sideways and was out of the seat at Copse on the first lap. He held the throttle open and it caught and straightened out but it was SO close. After having another moment at Chris Curve with it spinning up and then sliding at Mansfield he completed the race at a slightly less hasty pace but still got a 4th in class.
Back in the paddock some spectators sought him out and said it was the most exciting save they’d seen for a long time. And Gorgeous George, who’d been following the RPS, came over to ‘touch Chris for good luck’. Martin had a look at the bike’s back tyre and it had 2005 on it. The wheel and tyre had been gifted to Chris by Richard
Peckett which was a sweet thought but the tyre was rubbish and nearly cost Chris dearly. Everybody emptied their pockets to scrape together the £180 for the new tyre and Martin waited at the stall while it was fitted. The inner tube in the old tyre had been ‘nipped’! Chris could have got a puncture at any time!
The last two races were fairly incident free as the weather improved. A 3rd in class on the North and a 4th in class on the RPS.
Chris went off to find a cash point and to drop in at Steve’s with his spoke while I started supper. I now dread meal times. Something always goes wrong and I hate cooking SO much. I didn’t take much persuading when Hilary offered me her oven to cook the cauliflower cheese. (I paused for a moment for politeness’ sake before answering yes please).
When Chris returned it was cooked perfectly and he grilled the fillet, and a meal of a reasonable standard was served. Nothing burnt in other words. We’ve had a lot
of charcoal this year. There was still quite a strong wind at times but no more rain. I was feeling quite tired and for the first time in many years I went to bed without doing the washing up. Lou and I had wet-wiped the plates earlier so it was fine to leave them. Everyone was in bed by midnight.
Cadwell Park 2013 - Sunday
Sunday 16th June 2013
I didn’t sleep for the first hour due to loud, pissed, boring arseholes whooping it up into the early hours. I woke at 4am with a bad neck and feeling like I’d been shot in the right temple and someone was poking about for the bullet under my skull with a tyre lever. So for the first time ever I had to stay in bed. Lou worked on my neck and arm to get some movement going and I eventually got up at lunchtime. I blame it on our petrol stove. I’m constantly having to pump it up to pressurise it so it will burn properly and you can only do it right handed.
Chris found out he’d come 2nd on aggregate in the Unlimiteds on Saturday and had another bit of scrap metal to pick up. As well as his normal four races, he’d also entered the Colin Breeze Trophy Race.
The weather was perfect. Masses of spectators settling themselves, hoping for some more breathlessly exciting sparring between the front boys. Chris got 3rd in class in his first race on the North and a 4th in class on the RPS. Then Chris had three races in very close succession. In the Unlimiteds Chris continued his mission to not go too
wild, bring the bike home each time and get points. Cormac and Gorgeous George fighting it out at the front. George out-braked himself and lost it at the Hairpin. Chris came in 2nd in class.
He swapped bikes as Gav left for his final race of the weekend. It was all down to Martin from now on and boy he had to run around a lot. Every time he reached his viewing point something would happen and he’d have to come running back, then he’d run to get to the viewing point before the race started. Formula 750s and much to our amazement George managed to get out in time. His team must have worked like the clappers. A little too hastily it transpired as his silencer hadn’t been secured properly after the previous race. As George went over the Mountain 1st lap, it dropped down and the first right hander he came to he laid it down on the silencer, his
rear wheel lifted off the tarmac and he landed at the same place as last time. This time with the F750s and the Colin Breeze Trophy back to back there was no time to sort the bike out in time for the race.
Colin Breeze Trophy. 8 laps. 3 laps in, Cormac high-sided going round Charlies2 at very high speed. The riders were held at the start/finish hoping for a quick restart. Not wanting to cook it, Chris stopped at the top of Barns and switched off his engine. He could see the ambulance from there and when it moved off he would bump-start down the hill. After a time the decision was made to send the bikes back to the holding area and re-run the race after the day’s final parade session. The race was reduced to 6 laps and Chris came 9th (out of 24) and was the first triple across the line (out of 1 actually but it sounds good). And Carl Adams, whom you all know and love so well, although coming in 6th, won the trophy and the prize money as the first unsupported rider across the line as stipulated in the rules. He said he’s never won anything in his life! Bless him.
It was while we were packing that Hilary received a message from Tracey that they had got home and had gone to A&E where it was discovered Mike had four breaks to the collar bone. Paul Soulby, who captured Chris’ Snetterton crash on his camera, happened to have been shooting where Mike crashed and the photos were shocking.
Cormac suffered a very badly broken collar bone too. Everyone hopes they get better very soon. Team W.A.N.C.A send their condolences to Tracey too as she will have to do all the things that she normally has to do and a load more stuff on top. Chris got lots of pity after breaking his collar bone at Snetterton but it was me who was run ragged. Now he finds sleeping on his side uncomfortable so he sleeps on his back and snores loudly for most of the night and I never get enough sleep. The flowers CRMC, should be for the wives and partners, or even better make it chocolate! All Chris needed from you after Snetterton was a clip round the ear.
Other things that happened this weekend Gorgeous George broke the 750 lap record set by Lee Gourlay and Cormac broke the Unlimiteds record and Gav made up 2 seconds a lap by the end of the weekend. We are very proud of him. He was a little miffed though when announcing he got 21st Lou asked ‘How far from the back is that’.
Thank you Tony and Hilary for bringing the North, Lou for taking a busman’s holiday again and giving me a massage, Gav and Martin for all their hard work and everyone who helped the weekend go smoothly.
And you may remember this bloke Ashley. Well he’s coming to Pembrey with us! Whoop de doo!!! See you all there.
Jane Chapman - Long Suffering Wife
I didn’t sleep for the first hour due to loud, pissed, boring arseholes whooping it up into the early hours. I woke at 4am with a bad neck and feeling like I’d been shot in the right temple and someone was poking about for the bullet under my skull with a tyre lever. So for the first time ever I had to stay in bed. Lou worked on my neck and arm to get some movement going and I eventually got up at lunchtime. I blame it on our petrol stove. I’m constantly having to pump it up to pressurise it so it will burn properly and you can only do it right handed.
Chris found out he’d come 2nd on aggregate in the Unlimiteds on Saturday and had another bit of scrap metal to pick up. As well as his normal four races, he’d also entered the Colin Breeze Trophy Race.
The weather was perfect. Masses of spectators settling themselves, hoping for some more breathlessly exciting sparring between the front boys. Chris got 3rd in class in his first race on the North and a 4th in class on the RPS. Then Chris had three races in very close succession. In the Unlimiteds Chris continued his mission to not go too
wild, bring the bike home each time and get points. Cormac and Gorgeous George fighting it out at the front. George out-braked himself and lost it at the Hairpin. Chris came in 2nd in class.
He swapped bikes as Gav left for his final race of the weekend. It was all down to Martin from now on and boy he had to run around a lot. Every time he reached his viewing point something would happen and he’d have to come running back, then he’d run to get to the viewing point before the race started. Formula 750s and much to our amazement George managed to get out in time. His team must have worked like the clappers. A little too hastily it transpired as his silencer hadn’t been secured properly after the previous race. As George went over the Mountain 1st lap, it dropped down and the first right hander he came to he laid it down on the silencer, his
rear wheel lifted off the tarmac and he landed at the same place as last time. This time with the F750s and the Colin Breeze Trophy back to back there was no time to sort the bike out in time for the race.
Colin Breeze Trophy. 8 laps. 3 laps in, Cormac high-sided going round Charlies2 at very high speed. The riders were held at the start/finish hoping for a quick restart. Not wanting to cook it, Chris stopped at the top of Barns and switched off his engine. He could see the ambulance from there and when it moved off he would bump-start down the hill. After a time the decision was made to send the bikes back to the holding area and re-run the race after the day’s final parade session. The race was reduced to 6 laps and Chris came 9th (out of 24) and was the first triple across the line (out of 1 actually but it sounds good). And Carl Adams, whom you all know and love so well, although coming in 6th, won the trophy and the prize money as the first unsupported rider across the line as stipulated in the rules. He said he’s never won anything in his life! Bless him.
It was while we were packing that Hilary received a message from Tracey that they had got home and had gone to A&E where it was discovered Mike had four breaks to the collar bone. Paul Soulby, who captured Chris’ Snetterton crash on his camera, happened to have been shooting where Mike crashed and the photos were shocking.
Cormac suffered a very badly broken collar bone too. Everyone hopes they get better very soon. Team W.A.N.C.A send their condolences to Tracey too as she will have to do all the things that she normally has to do and a load more stuff on top. Chris got lots of pity after breaking his collar bone at Snetterton but it was me who was run ragged. Now he finds sleeping on his side uncomfortable so he sleeps on his back and snores loudly for most of the night and I never get enough sleep. The flowers CRMC, should be for the wives and partners, or even better make it chocolate! All Chris needed from you after Snetterton was a clip round the ear.
Other things that happened this weekend Gorgeous George broke the 750 lap record set by Lee Gourlay and Cormac broke the Unlimiteds record and Gav made up 2 seconds a lap by the end of the weekend. We are very proud of him. He was a little miffed though when announcing he got 21st Lou asked ‘How far from the back is that’.
Thank you Tony and Hilary for bringing the North, Lou for taking a busman’s holiday again and giving me a massage, Gav and Martin for all their hard work and everyone who helped the weekend go smoothly.
And you may remember this bloke Ashley. Well he’s coming to Pembrey with us! Whoop de doo!!! See you all there.
Jane Chapman - Long Suffering Wife
Anglesey - Friday 17th May 2013
We managed to leave home at 4.30am in the end. Arriving at the circuit for 11am. There were no hook-ups working on the garage side of the paddock and the garages weren’t going to be opened until 5pm so we had no electricity. Who brought along two electric kettles but none for the hob? That would be me – even though Chris said I should always pack it. I hate it when he’s right. Luckily it isn’t often.
It seemed to take an inordinately long time to set up – if only Chris could learn to work and talk at the same time. The track sessions started at 2pm and Graham tried to get Chris organised and sent him off to the toilets and we didn’t see him again for half an hour. So many people to say hello to. Jim told Jason and Shirley our tale of woe regarding the kettle and Shirley lent us theirs as they had a generator. What a star.
Chris took the North out for the first session and something unusual happened, it started first time! Makes a change. It ran very well too!
By the third session Chris had gone AWOL again. (We’ll have to gaffer tape his mouth shut) - Graham was ready with the bike but there was no rider. In fact ‘Where’s he gone now!’ was Graham’s comment nearly every time he came into the gazebo. Once Chris walked down one side of the van and Graham came up the other and they kept missing each other. It kept Janet amused anyway. Third time out on the RPS and the throttle stuck open briefly.
There was just enough time for Chris to take the North out again before the end of the day so the RPS problem was not a priority. Half way through the session,
coming out of the Corkscrew and into the left–hander, a rider lost it in right front of Chris. (and in front of Tracy who was there with her camera) Chris, having no-where to go, T-boned the sliding bike - the North’s front tyre going into it’s tank – rode over the bike and it’s rider’s back and was catapulted into the air. Chris landed heavily on his back and the North skidded off the track on it’s left side, ruining all the lovely new paintwork on every piece of bodywork. The tank is again dented on the left side and all around the filler cap has been pushed in.
I was told where the ambulance had parked up and made my way down there as fast as my flip-flops would allow me. Chris was in a neck-brace and was told to keep still but insisted he took his leathers off so they wouldn’t be cut off at the hospital. The medic said we had to be quick as the transfer ambulance was on its way. So I walked fast back to the van to get his clothes and boots. Walked fast back again. Got his suit off and carried armfuls of stuff to the van. walked a bit less fast back again. Was
asked to fetch his crash helmet so they could have a look at it and had to go back to the van a third time and walk back again. (This amount of miles is not good in flip-flops) The transfer had arrived so I waited while they put Chris on a back board. The bloke who’d crashed in front of Chris had paid Chris a visit in my absence. Isn’t that nice you’re all thinking. He said to Chris ‘You’ve dented my tank.’ -------- He was lucky I wasn’t there as he would have left with a dented face to match his tank.
While all this was going on Mike and Graham started to sort out the North in case Chris was able to race. The levers were replaced and Spike turned down the foot rest on a drill against a file and then emery paper to make it fit. Martin arrived while I was preparing potatoes. He drank some coffee and chatted for a while. I spoke to someone about not being able to get the van out to collect Chris and Martin said ‘What!’. I’d forgotten to mentioned Chris had had an accident. You would have had to be there to see why we found this very funny.
I was so grateful to Graham and Janet who drove to Bangor to collect Chris who was well bashed but nothing broken. He’s so upset about the bike though. I finally got the supper ready in time for Chris’ return. After the meal Chris and Martin had a look at the RPS’ throttle problem. Martin worked out that it was the right–hand carb which had
the problem and poked around in it with his finger and got the throttle to shut off properly. Gavin arrived late and still managed to get the lights to work in our caravan for us before finishing setting up his own. Then we said goodnight to everyone and limped off to bed.
It seemed to take an inordinately long time to set up – if only Chris could learn to work and talk at the same time. The track sessions started at 2pm and Graham tried to get Chris organised and sent him off to the toilets and we didn’t see him again for half an hour. So many people to say hello to. Jim told Jason and Shirley our tale of woe regarding the kettle and Shirley lent us theirs as they had a generator. What a star.
Chris took the North out for the first session and something unusual happened, it started first time! Makes a change. It ran very well too!
By the third session Chris had gone AWOL again. (We’ll have to gaffer tape his mouth shut) - Graham was ready with the bike but there was no rider. In fact ‘Where’s he gone now!’ was Graham’s comment nearly every time he came into the gazebo. Once Chris walked down one side of the van and Graham came up the other and they kept missing each other. It kept Janet amused anyway. Third time out on the RPS and the throttle stuck open briefly.
There was just enough time for Chris to take the North out again before the end of the day so the RPS problem was not a priority. Half way through the session,
coming out of the Corkscrew and into the left–hander, a rider lost it in right front of Chris. (and in front of Tracy who was there with her camera) Chris, having no-where to go, T-boned the sliding bike - the North’s front tyre going into it’s tank – rode over the bike and it’s rider’s back and was catapulted into the air. Chris landed heavily on his back and the North skidded off the track on it’s left side, ruining all the lovely new paintwork on every piece of bodywork. The tank is again dented on the left side and all around the filler cap has been pushed in.
I was told where the ambulance had parked up and made my way down there as fast as my flip-flops would allow me. Chris was in a neck-brace and was told to keep still but insisted he took his leathers off so they wouldn’t be cut off at the hospital. The medic said we had to be quick as the transfer ambulance was on its way. So I walked fast back to the van to get his clothes and boots. Walked fast back again. Got his suit off and carried armfuls of stuff to the van. walked a bit less fast back again. Was
asked to fetch his crash helmet so they could have a look at it and had to go back to the van a third time and walk back again. (This amount of miles is not good in flip-flops) The transfer had arrived so I waited while they put Chris on a back board. The bloke who’d crashed in front of Chris had paid Chris a visit in my absence. Isn’t that nice you’re all thinking. He said to Chris ‘You’ve dented my tank.’ -------- He was lucky I wasn’t there as he would have left with a dented face to match his tank.
While all this was going on Mike and Graham started to sort out the North in case Chris was able to race. The levers were replaced and Spike turned down the foot rest on a drill against a file and then emery paper to make it fit. Martin arrived while I was preparing potatoes. He drank some coffee and chatted for a while. I spoke to someone about not being able to get the van out to collect Chris and Martin said ‘What!’. I’d forgotten to mentioned Chris had had an accident. You would have had to be there to see why we found this very funny.
I was so grateful to Graham and Janet who drove to Bangor to collect Chris who was well bashed but nothing broken. He’s so upset about the bike though. I finally got the supper ready in time for Chris’ return. After the meal Chris and Martin had a look at the RPS’ throttle problem. Martin worked out that it was the right–hand carb which had
the problem and poked around in it with his finger and got the throttle to shut off properly. Gavin arrived late and still managed to get the lights to work in our caravan for us before finishing setting up his own. Then we said goodnight to everyone and limped off to bed.
Anglesey - Saturday 18th May 2013
Saturday – and all that qualifying bollocks.
Chris achieved 10th place for the weekend with the North and last on the grid for the weekend on the RPS due to the throttle sticking briefly at 5,000 revs. He coasted then pushed it back to the garage where it decided to work perfectly for a while, making everyone disbelieve Chris. Eventually it did get stuck again and it turned out to be due to the throttle slide guide block coming loose on the right-hand carb which jammed the throttle open.
1st race for the RPS and Chris is starting 34th on the grid! He ploughed his way through the field achieving 17th place and 6th in class, with Mike in front of him achieving a 5th in class.
In the first Multi's, Chris, on the North, got a second in class and Mike a 3rd in class. Starting one behind the other in each Multis race meant there was going to be a tremendous battle between them which would last the weekend. In the final race they were neck and neck and Tracy’s nerves couldn’t stand it any more and she was determined to give them a good talking to.
That evening while I was making supper, Spike decided to go to prize-giving as he’s a sponsor. Meanwhile it took the whole team to get Chris’ knee-sliders off when he decided to change them. The velcro was that good. Spike returned and held out a small box - Chris had won the gold medal for coming first on aggregate for the Multi's! A great day’s racing for all our friends. Lots of medals won. And we no longer have to find another word for ‘last’ where Gav is concerned as he is getting so far up the field now he’s unrecognisable. I reckon he was just getting the feel of it at Darley and now he’s letting rip. Go well Go Shell !
Chris achieved 10th place for the weekend with the North and last on the grid for the weekend on the RPS due to the throttle sticking briefly at 5,000 revs. He coasted then pushed it back to the garage where it decided to work perfectly for a while, making everyone disbelieve Chris. Eventually it did get stuck again and it turned out to be due to the throttle slide guide block coming loose on the right-hand carb which jammed the throttle open.
1st race for the RPS and Chris is starting 34th on the grid! He ploughed his way through the field achieving 17th place and 6th in class, with Mike in front of him achieving a 5th in class.
In the first Multi's, Chris, on the North, got a second in class and Mike a 3rd in class. Starting one behind the other in each Multis race meant there was going to be a tremendous battle between them which would last the weekend. In the final race they were neck and neck and Tracy’s nerves couldn’t stand it any more and she was determined to give them a good talking to.
That evening while I was making supper, Spike decided to go to prize-giving as he’s a sponsor. Meanwhile it took the whole team to get Chris’ knee-sliders off when he decided to change them. The velcro was that good. Spike returned and held out a small box - Chris had won the gold medal for coming first on aggregate for the Multi's! A great day’s racing for all our friends. Lots of medals won. And we no longer have to find another word for ‘last’ where Gav is concerned as he is getting so far up the field now he’s unrecognisable. I reckon he was just getting the feel of it at Darley and now he’s letting rip. Go well Go Shell !
Anglesey - Sunday 19th May 2013
I must mention the weekend’s weather briefly. It was perfect ! - lots of sunburnt faces on Sunday afternoon though. Chris struggled to get moving when the alarm went off at 7am. He said he felt worse than the day before!
First race in the Formula 750 and Chris once again made his way steadily from the back of the field to get a 4th in class with Mike coming 3rd in class.
In the Multis Chris managed a 4th to Mike’s 5th in class.
In race 18 in the program Tim Woolley was ridden into from behind as he went into the Corkscrew (like that time at Snetterton where Chris took him going throught the Bomb Hole). The rider got his arm stuck over Tim’s back wheel which caused Tim to come off. Cormac’s throttle stuck open and he crashed at Rocket.
The new-comer 20 year old ‘Gorgeous George’ (as he is now known) had a couple of offs during the weekend just when we were thinking he must be glued to the seat.
Last race of the weekend for the RPS. Chris was beaten by Mike again. On the cool down lap at Peel, the bolt came out of the cover of the belt drive on the RPS. It found its way through the gap between the case and the clutch, scraping the clutch and ended up under the belt. As soon as he heard the scraping noise Chris pulled in the clutch and free-wheeled back to the paddock.
Gavin had a superb last race and finished one place out of the points due to a slight mistake. Lou was finding it frustrating that she couldn’t get more than tarmac in the photos of Gav as he passed. I know how hard it can be. I took a photo of Mike crossing the finishing line and only got the chequered flag, and he was on a bicycle.
The final race of the day was ‘King of Brands’, deferred from the cancelled meeting at Brands Hatch. Chris had paid to enter and felt obliged to ride even though he was really tired. Everyone gathered on the pit wall to watch. Opposite us the mountains of Snowdonia looking so beautiful in the late afternoon sun. (Lou thought it was Ireland)
Ten laps later Chris finished in sixth place! A brilliant end to the weekend considering the bad start. Mike beat Chris in all the Formula 750’s and Chris returned the favour in each of the Multis.
Thank you everyone who lent a hand, in whatever manner, during each crisis.
We hope to see you all at Cadwell Park 15th – 16th June.
Thanks for your continued support
Jane Chapman - Long Suffering Wife
First race in the Formula 750 and Chris once again made his way steadily from the back of the field to get a 4th in class with Mike coming 3rd in class.
In the Multis Chris managed a 4th to Mike’s 5th in class.
In race 18 in the program Tim Woolley was ridden into from behind as he went into the Corkscrew (like that time at Snetterton where Chris took him going throught the Bomb Hole). The rider got his arm stuck over Tim’s back wheel which caused Tim to come off. Cormac’s throttle stuck open and he crashed at Rocket.
The new-comer 20 year old ‘Gorgeous George’ (as he is now known) had a couple of offs during the weekend just when we were thinking he must be glued to the seat.
Last race of the weekend for the RPS. Chris was beaten by Mike again. On the cool down lap at Peel, the bolt came out of the cover of the belt drive on the RPS. It found its way through the gap between the case and the clutch, scraping the clutch and ended up under the belt. As soon as he heard the scraping noise Chris pulled in the clutch and free-wheeled back to the paddock.
Gavin had a superb last race and finished one place out of the points due to a slight mistake. Lou was finding it frustrating that she couldn’t get more than tarmac in the photos of Gav as he passed. I know how hard it can be. I took a photo of Mike crossing the finishing line and only got the chequered flag, and he was on a bicycle.
The final race of the day was ‘King of Brands’, deferred from the cancelled meeting at Brands Hatch. Chris had paid to enter and felt obliged to ride even though he was really tired. Everyone gathered on the pit wall to watch. Opposite us the mountains of Snowdonia looking so beautiful in the late afternoon sun. (Lou thought it was Ireland)
Ten laps later Chris finished in sixth place! A brilliant end to the weekend considering the bad start. Mike beat Chris in all the Formula 750’s and Chris returned the favour in each of the Multis.
Thank you everyone who lent a hand, in whatever manner, during each crisis.
We hope to see you all at Cadwell Park 15th – 16th June.
Thanks for your continued support
Jane Chapman - Long Suffering Wife
Darley Moor - Friday 19th and Saturday 20th April 2013
Friday
When the paperwork arrived for Darley’s meeting we were told that Darley Moor circuit was being used as a ‘station’ for
a Bentley rally on the Friday and we would not be able to set up until 12.30pm. We arrived at 12.30pm only to be told we would not get to set up until 5.30pm! Memories of Cadwell came flooding back and we mentioned this to the man on the gate. ‘Oh no’ he said, ‘We will make sure you are let in in the order you arrived. (naturally as the CRMC are so good at organising everything) We were told to park up on a piece of land which was mostly grass and quite soft. The hard-standing was filled very quickly and after a couple of hours we were moved out nearer the paddock in order to fit in new arrivals. Everyone was furious. By 2.30 the man on the gate, who had to greet the racers
with the news, had been sent a back-up. It must’ve been the longest day of his life.
At 5.30 we saw a queue of recently arrived vehicles by the entrance gate move off. This prompted a racing start by the rest of us. Luckily a lot of the racers wanted a space in the paddock whereas we wanted to be on the grass Chris swept into a large space blocking off enough room for all of us. The roof of the gazebo started ripping as it was put over the frame but we mended it with ‘Tenacious Tape’ (Very expensive but brilliant) and some other stuff Gavin gave us.
Bikes scrutineered we sat down for supper. My mother had made salmon-en-croute and it was wonderful. Lovely weather so far and luckily a still night as we’d forgotten to add bungies to the gazebo.
Saturday
What a beautiful day! Gav was out on the track first followed by Chris and Mike. Ashley’s away and we’re missing him very much with two bikes to deal with and Gav now racing. I’ve got a potato salad to make and a bunch of spring onions must have made a break for freedom as I couldn’t find them anywhere.
End of practice/qualifying – Gav’s temperature guage fell off and he had a knocking noise on the last bend which might have been the exhaust pipe. The North ran
well but came in with the back covered in oil after blowing a breather off. All hands to the soapy sponges and lots of hot water – in my washing up bowl. Chris
achieved 7th place on the grid on the North and 4th place on the grid on the RPS for the weekend’s races. Gav was happy with his first race – he started and he finished, although his gear-change started to come off.
Race 1 for the North - Finished 6th, 2nd in class. The bike came in with the back end covered in oil again. Overfilled oil tank was the diagnosis. Smacked bottom for Chris.
Spike, on a Fahron 430, had the throttle stick wide open on him, managed to bring it home but this resulted in him having to start at the back of the grid all weekend thanks to CRMC’s poxy new system.
Race 1 for the RPS – Chris was second off the line but kept dropping back lap after lap. He finished in 4th place even though he couldn’t select first and second gear as the gear lever was seizing on its pivot after the second lap.
Gav finished his second race even though his gear lever came undone again and Mike had gearbox trouble in his first race, returned to the paddock and took it apart.
Race 2 for the North – Finished 7th, 3rd in class.
Race 2 for the RPS – Finished 2nd, 2nd in class. The bike came in and the back of it was covered in oil. Gav made some scathing remark and rolled up his sleeves again. The neck of the oil tank had almost come off!
Meanwhile, Spike found the problem causing the stuck open throttle during qualifying – the main jet in the left carb had fallen off and the emulsion tube had lifted into the main venturi. On checking, he found the right hand one to be exactly the same as the left! He made his second race of the day but a wire came off the coil during the race
and he swore an awful lot.
Racing finished at 6pm with two carried over to Sunday. We were sick of the sight of oil today. I’ve almost run out of washing-up liquid. Mike was still working on his gearbox and we hoped he’d have a better day Sunday especially as it would be his birthday.
Darley Moor - Sunday 21st April
Lovely weather again. Mike took the 750 out for practice and came in shaking his head. The gearbox still wasn’t right so he and Tracy packed to go home.
Chris, RPS Race 1 – Finished 2nd, 2nd in class.
North Race 1 – Finished 6th, 2nd in class. The North making a ‘Pop pop pop noise’ (technical speak from Hilary) on acceleration. In the holding area it wouldn’t pick up low down but he had to go out anyway. Back in the paddock it was fairing off to explore. They thought it was a loose choke fitting on the carb.
Mark George missed some gears, tried to get it into gear, missed his braking point, jumped on the brakes and lost the front end. One of several nasty accidents this weekend – like on Saturday in warm-up, Pat Walsh on the XR69 Suzuki knocked himself out after crashing and may have broken his wrist. Team W.A.N.C.A wishes them well.
RPS race 2 – Tony Rainford and Graham Williams beat Chris off the line but Chris gradually picked them off and finding himself in the lead thought ‘ I’m on for a win here’, at which point the head gasket blew and the engine went blabber blabber blabber. So a DNF. Chris was gutted.
However, the North ran beautifully in its last race and it came in 4th, 2nd in class.
A good weekend all round. Chris did well. Gav completed his racing debut with his machine, his pride and himself intact. (though the name may be changed from ‘Ragged Edge Racing’ to ‘Damp Pants Racing’)
Great to see Pat and the children on Sunday - he might make another meeting later in the year, which would be nice.
Thank you to Tony and Hilary for transporting the North, to Rod for alcohol and support, and to Fanny for being so good and only trying to bite Leah once.
Jane Chapman - Long Suffering Wife
Chris, RPS Race 1 – Finished 2nd, 2nd in class.
North Race 1 – Finished 6th, 2nd in class. The North making a ‘Pop pop pop noise’ (technical speak from Hilary) on acceleration. In the holding area it wouldn’t pick up low down but he had to go out anyway. Back in the paddock it was fairing off to explore. They thought it was a loose choke fitting on the carb.
Mark George missed some gears, tried to get it into gear, missed his braking point, jumped on the brakes and lost the front end. One of several nasty accidents this weekend – like on Saturday in warm-up, Pat Walsh on the XR69 Suzuki knocked himself out after crashing and may have broken his wrist. Team W.A.N.C.A wishes them well.
RPS race 2 – Tony Rainford and Graham Williams beat Chris off the line but Chris gradually picked them off and finding himself in the lead thought ‘ I’m on for a win here’, at which point the head gasket blew and the engine went blabber blabber blabber. So a DNF. Chris was gutted.
However, the North ran beautifully in its last race and it came in 4th, 2nd in class.
A good weekend all round. Chris did well. Gav completed his racing debut with his machine, his pride and himself intact. (though the name may be changed from ‘Ragged Edge Racing’ to ‘Damp Pants Racing’)
Great to see Pat and the children on Sunday - he might make another meeting later in the year, which would be nice.
Thank you to Tony and Hilary for transporting the North, to Rod for alcohol and support, and to Fanny for being so good and only trying to bite Leah once.
Jane Chapman - Long Suffering Wife
Brands Hatch 2013 - Thursday and Friday
Thursday 21st March 2013
Our departure on Thursday was delayed when Chris found one of the motors on the caravan mover had seized. We were so
grateful to my niece’s partner Gary for supplying a new motor, and fitting it so quickly. Without it, getting the caravan back up the drive on our return would have been impossible. Chris decided at the last minute to have a shower and had just got under the water when Gavin phoned. Chris continued to lather himself with one hand and hold the phone in the other and when the time came for him to need two hands he put the phone on loud speaker and propped it up behind the toothbrush holder so he could continue the conversation.
Got a lot of time to look at the scenery through the 50mph section on the M25 as we did most of the 10 miles at 0 – 7mph. Arrived at 4.30ish shortly followed by Tony Hayward. Setting up camp seemed to take forever. The new roof for the gazebo was disappointing. The dye from the blue panels had run into the white. So that’s going back on Monday.
Graham Webber gave us supper, and sourced a transformer for us, and drove to collect it (as Chris had forgotten his). He went to our house on Friday for Chris’ transponder (as Chris had forgotten it), and to pick up my glasses (as I broke the ones I’d taken with me). His selfless and unswerving dedication to the Team has not gone unrewarded. Graham has been made an honorary W.A.N.C.A with all the benefits attendant thereto. Well done Graham, and keep up the good work.
Ashley and Jim arrived at 9.40pm at the main gate to find it locked and unmanned. (it’s meant to be open until 10pm.) They drove round to the paddock entrance, twice because they couldn’t find it the first time, and found that locked too. They headed back to the main gate as Chris (full of cider) swerved up to meet them and Jim managed to sweet-talk the security woman into letting them through. Their sleeping areas were set up in the garage and we all headed off to our beds. Chris had just finished cleaning his teeth when Jim arrived at the toilets in his car. ‘How lazy is that!’ Chris commented as we walked back to the caravan. However, Jim said he was going on
afterwards to have a drive round the lower paddock to see if anyone was up still as he was too wired to sleep.
Friday 22nd March 2013 - Test Day
It rained from 6pm Thursday to 6am Friday. Quite a breezy night but the gazebo was okay considering the legs kept collapsing. I spent most of the weekend shoving the roof back up skyward and it was very annoying. Both bikes needed to be warmed up prior to sound-testing but the North just would not start. In the hope of it being down to the low temperature we concentrated on the RPS. Chris went to the riders’ briefing leaving us to take the bike to be sound-tested. It scraped through. Chris returned and missed his first two track sessions working on the North but it wouldn’t start. In the end he did all the sessions on the RPS and continued to test theories regarding the North in-between outings.
By the end of the day Chris had checked/changed everything P&M suggested but nothing worked. They said he could use the 750 for all the weekend’s races, so the North was abandoned. The RPS did brilliantly throughout the track day and Chris looked confident and smooth. With the exception of a few squally showers the weather
was good and we even had a little sunshine. The track was dry in the afternoon and Jim and I watched the bikes circulating when Chris passed and raised his right arm several times and slowed down. We thought he had arm-pump and was coming in so we went up to the garage but there was only Ashley waiting with the stand. It turned out that Chris had been black-flagged and had ridden through the pit lane, had a brief discussion with the official, found it was a case of mistaken identity and had gone back out on the track.
A round of applause for the Ashley who rode over in a hail storm on a bicycle to give Chris his paddock stand while the RPS was being scrutineered – though Ashley’s trousers wouldn’t have passed as he split them putting his leg over the saddle on the return journey.
One of the toughest problems we had to overcome that day was getting twelve large potatoes onto the shelf in the electric oven and getting the shelf to stay up and Ashley sorted that too. He’s been a bit of a hero this weekend.
Our departure on Thursday was delayed when Chris found one of the motors on the caravan mover had seized. We were so
grateful to my niece’s partner Gary for supplying a new motor, and fitting it so quickly. Without it, getting the caravan back up the drive on our return would have been impossible. Chris decided at the last minute to have a shower and had just got under the water when Gavin phoned. Chris continued to lather himself with one hand and hold the phone in the other and when the time came for him to need two hands he put the phone on loud speaker and propped it up behind the toothbrush holder so he could continue the conversation.
Got a lot of time to look at the scenery through the 50mph section on the M25 as we did most of the 10 miles at 0 – 7mph. Arrived at 4.30ish shortly followed by Tony Hayward. Setting up camp seemed to take forever. The new roof for the gazebo was disappointing. The dye from the blue panels had run into the white. So that’s going back on Monday.
Graham Webber gave us supper, and sourced a transformer for us, and drove to collect it (as Chris had forgotten his). He went to our house on Friday for Chris’ transponder (as Chris had forgotten it), and to pick up my glasses (as I broke the ones I’d taken with me). His selfless and unswerving dedication to the Team has not gone unrewarded. Graham has been made an honorary W.A.N.C.A with all the benefits attendant thereto. Well done Graham, and keep up the good work.
Ashley and Jim arrived at 9.40pm at the main gate to find it locked and unmanned. (it’s meant to be open until 10pm.) They drove round to the paddock entrance, twice because they couldn’t find it the first time, and found that locked too. They headed back to the main gate as Chris (full of cider) swerved up to meet them and Jim managed to sweet-talk the security woman into letting them through. Their sleeping areas were set up in the garage and we all headed off to our beds. Chris had just finished cleaning his teeth when Jim arrived at the toilets in his car. ‘How lazy is that!’ Chris commented as we walked back to the caravan. However, Jim said he was going on
afterwards to have a drive round the lower paddock to see if anyone was up still as he was too wired to sleep.
Friday 22nd March 2013 - Test Day
It rained from 6pm Thursday to 6am Friday. Quite a breezy night but the gazebo was okay considering the legs kept collapsing. I spent most of the weekend shoving the roof back up skyward and it was very annoying. Both bikes needed to be warmed up prior to sound-testing but the North just would not start. In the hope of it being down to the low temperature we concentrated on the RPS. Chris went to the riders’ briefing leaving us to take the bike to be sound-tested. It scraped through. Chris returned and missed his first two track sessions working on the North but it wouldn’t start. In the end he did all the sessions on the RPS and continued to test theories regarding the North in-between outings.
By the end of the day Chris had checked/changed everything P&M suggested but nothing worked. They said he could use the 750 for all the weekend’s races, so the North was abandoned. The RPS did brilliantly throughout the track day and Chris looked confident and smooth. With the exception of a few squally showers the weather
was good and we even had a little sunshine. The track was dry in the afternoon and Jim and I watched the bikes circulating when Chris passed and raised his right arm several times and slowed down. We thought he had arm-pump and was coming in so we went up to the garage but there was only Ashley waiting with the stand. It turned out that Chris had been black-flagged and had ridden through the pit lane, had a brief discussion with the official, found it was a case of mistaken identity and had gone back out on the track.
A round of applause for the Ashley who rode over in a hail storm on a bicycle to give Chris his paddock stand while the RPS was being scrutineered – though Ashley’s trousers wouldn’t have passed as he split them putting his leg over the saddle on the return journey.
One of the toughest problems we had to overcome that day was getting twelve large potatoes onto the shelf in the electric oven and getting the shelf to stay up and Ashley sorted that too. He’s been a bit of a hero this weekend.
Brands Hatch 2013 - Saturday
Saturday 23rd March 2013
The wind howled round the caravan all night and I didn’t sleep much as I was watching the fate of the gazebo through the window by my head. 6am came and the snowflakes began to fall. There was a track inspection at 9am. Then at 10am. Then at noon it was announced first practice would be at 12.30.
Then it started snowing again. Most of the vehicles on the track so far were agricultural, either spreading salt or sweeping it up. Every now and again a four-wheel drive sports car would hack past (how can that relate to doing it on a motorbike).
Anyway, at 12.30 we strained our ears to hear the announcement (the speakers in the main paddock all face the spectators areas) and racing was postponed until Sunday. However by 2.30 the meeting was officially cancelled. We all breathed a sigh of relief and started packing. We had so much stuff as so many people said they wanted
to join us that Jim, Ashley, Chris and I were the last to leave the paddock with the exception of those spending the night there.
I was knackered by the time I followed Chris out of the main gate. It’s typical, when one doesn’t want to draw attention to oneself, that I had one light out on the
trailer and had to use the fog light and both the caravan and the trailer had the same number plate as Chris’ van.
As we came off the M25 at J9 Chris headed home while I had to deliver a surprise for my mother – 20 defrosted salmon fillets and 2 kilos of petit-pois to do something with
before she went to bed. She’s clever like that my mum. We’ll be having fish pie all season.
We would like to thank the Akers family and Graham Redrup and Janet for braving the elements and turning up on Saturday. It means a lot to us.
And thank you Faye for all your help this race weekend and especially for leaving the tin of peanuts with us.
Afternotes !
Gavin’s MT125, on which he’s worked incredibly long and hard, made its maiden appearance. It looks great. We look forward to helping him during this race season like he
always helps us.
Chris was in his new leathers. Oh those knees! and I would like to thank A & R Racing Services in Somerset for dispatching the waterproofs SO quickly.
Big disappointment with the North, especially as it ran so beautifully last week but Chris will write a statement himself to tell everyone what was wrong with it. It is still ‘in hospital’ but should be home soon.
Jane Chapman - Long Suffering Wife
The wind howled round the caravan all night and I didn’t sleep much as I was watching the fate of the gazebo through the window by my head. 6am came and the snowflakes began to fall. There was a track inspection at 9am. Then at 10am. Then at noon it was announced first practice would be at 12.30.
Then it started snowing again. Most of the vehicles on the track so far were agricultural, either spreading salt or sweeping it up. Every now and again a four-wheel drive sports car would hack past (how can that relate to doing it on a motorbike).
Anyway, at 12.30 we strained our ears to hear the announcement (the speakers in the main paddock all face the spectators areas) and racing was postponed until Sunday. However by 2.30 the meeting was officially cancelled. We all breathed a sigh of relief and started packing. We had so much stuff as so many people said they wanted
to join us that Jim, Ashley, Chris and I were the last to leave the paddock with the exception of those spending the night there.
I was knackered by the time I followed Chris out of the main gate. It’s typical, when one doesn’t want to draw attention to oneself, that I had one light out on the
trailer and had to use the fog light and both the caravan and the trailer had the same number plate as Chris’ van.
As we came off the M25 at J9 Chris headed home while I had to deliver a surprise for my mother – 20 defrosted salmon fillets and 2 kilos of petit-pois to do something with
before she went to bed. She’s clever like that my mum. We’ll be having fish pie all season.
We would like to thank the Akers family and Graham Redrup and Janet for braving the elements and turning up on Saturday. It means a lot to us.
And thank you Faye for all your help this race weekend and especially for leaving the tin of peanuts with us.
Afternotes !
Gavin’s MT125, on which he’s worked incredibly long and hard, made its maiden appearance. It looks great. We look forward to helping him during this race season like he
always helps us.
Chris was in his new leathers. Oh those knees! and I would like to thank A & R Racing Services in Somerset for dispatching the waterproofs SO quickly.
Big disappointment with the North, especially as it ran so beautifully last week but Chris will write a statement himself to tell everyone what was wrong with it. It is still ‘in hospital’ but should be home soon.
Jane Chapman - Long Suffering Wife