First meeting doing a full season in the Earlystocks class and first race on the new, ex Karl Scott XJ550. Seems weird going to a meeting without the R1. Only two races per day on the XJ550 so a lot of hanging around as well.

Race  6 Earlystocks
Got 3rd place on the grid. It had stopped raining for this race and the track had a dry line. Got a cracking start and went into the lead of the 750 class. Was knapping a bit and got passed by two 400's. Maintained the class lead until from nowhere, Chris Thatchwell on a 750 Kawasaki out braked me into Edwina's. Just couldn't get him back so finished 2nd in class. Not the start I wanted.

Race  15 Earlystocks
9th on the grid for this one. After what seemed an eternity waiting for my race, we finally got underway on a luckily dry track. Determined to make up for the dismal ride in race 6 stayed in 3rd overall and first in class to the flag. I was followed home by Michael Baillie on a 750 Kawasaki. The 550 is slightly slower than the 750's in a straight line and it looks like I am going to have to ride hard all season to stay ahead.

Now leading the EMRA and Earlystock 750 classes

Waas not looking forward to a long day waiting for races again. I appeared to be the man to beat (or so everyone was saying after Mallory), I was not so sure. Several riders had been considered fast on the Saturday practice so the first race would tell.

Race  9 Earlystocks
Got 1st place on the grid, so a good start anyway. Followed Clive Wadey through the chicane in 2nd place and stayed there for the first lap. I was aware of a two stroke buzzing around behind me and for the next three laps I traded places with Glenn Graham on his RD 400. Even got into the lead once when Clive let us passed (he was getting bored!). All of a sudden on the last lap I got mugged, literally by a flying, if somewhat out-of-control Michael Baillie on his 750 Kawasaki. Even so he was flying and with one lap to go I just could not get the place back. Finished a disappointing 2nd in class and 4th overall.

Race  20 Earlystocks
4th place on the grid and immediately, Michael Baillie shot in front. I was determined not to let him get away, and after Clive Wadey had once again passed us both on his 1100, I shadowed Mick for the next seven laps. On the last lap I started to reel him in and was going to make my move on the last corner. However, back markers got between us through the back chicane and the hairpin and Mick used the advantage to make a gap I just could not close in half a lap. Finished 2nd in class and 3rd overall.

Earlystock 750 class lead now cut to one point

This meeting looked like it was going to be wet and so it was! Needed a good result and beat Mick Baillie to keep the EMRA championship lead.

Race  6 Earlystocks
3rd place on the grid for this one. Got a flying start but got passed by a flying Glenn Graham and Cass Beardmore on their Yamaha 400 two strokes (not in my class). I really should have pushed hard to get back past them because Mick Baillie and Keith Chambers was not far behind and once again I was caught napping when I hit some oil dropped at the hairpin and lost a load of time nearly high siding the XJ. Finished a very poor 3rd in class and 6th overall.

Race  15 Earlystocks
3rd place again on the grid. It had just stopped raining heavily and was now raining lightly. The track was very wet and I was not sure about how good the Avon dry weather tyres would be. Got a good start but Keith Chambers came flying by into Gerrards to take the lead. I was impressed and thought that this was not going to be a good race for me. By the end of the first lap I was right behind Keith and took him round the outside of Gerrards. I now led the race for the next five laps but all the time a very determined and fast Glenn Graham was pushing hard. Glenn passed me into Edwinas. In the very wet conditions and the fact that he is not in my class I decided that some points were bwtter than none and I continued to ride at what I thought was a slow pace. The 3rd place man was over ten second  behind and I cruised home for a class win and 2nd overall.

I really enjoyed this meeting. Still leading the EMRA Championship as well with no points gained or lost over the competition. Bring on the rain at all meetings this year.

Wanted rain for this meeting after the last one, but it was only wet for practice. Entered the Drayton Croft races for bit of extra fun this time.

Race  1 Drayton Croft Mallory Trophy - Qualifier
Entered this for an extra ride and to try to get my race head on for the first Earlystock race. Drew 20th place on the grid. Got away really well but by the time I reached Gerrards the bigger and more powerful bikes had passed me. Rode hard for the six laps and finished in 27th place and I wasn't last which was surprising. Good fun though and put me in the mood for the next race

Race  4 Earlystocks
Got 13th place on the grid which was behind the riders I really need to beat. Got a flying start and was in 4th place exiting Gerrards. Mick Baillie was in front of me and I outbraked him into Edwinas chicane. Held onto first in the 750 class for four laps until a couple of 400cc two strokes and a committed Chris Satchwell on a 750 passed me. On the last lap I was second in class until Mick Baillie did a brilliant outbraking manoeuvre into the hairpin. Finished 3rd in class.

Race  4 Drayton Croft Mallory Trophy
27th on the grid. This was only going to be for fun as the 550 is totally outclassed in this race. Got away well again but couldn't match the superior power of the 1000cc bikes. Had an enjoyable ride for seven laps until I got lapped by Alan Moreton, Dave Wardle and several other riders. The speed difference was too big and I decided to pull out so that I didn't get in the way of the other riders. Good fun though battling with modern bikes.

Race  13  Earlystocks 
Got 8th on the grid for this one. Got a flying start and went into 3rd place and first in class. Got passed by the 400cc two strokes again of Glenn Graham (who was on a mission) and Adrian Sanders. Rode hard and kept the two 1100cc bikes of Clive Wadey and Steve Cave in sight. On the last lap, Glenn Graham was in the dirt at Edwinas and out of the race so finished 4th overall and 1st in class.

Really enjoyed this meeting. I rode well all day and the open class races really improved my concentration for the Earlystock races. Moved into second place in the 750cc Earlystock Championship and maintained my lead in the EMRA Earlystock championship. Looking forward to Oulton Park in June.

Weather conditions: Very wet practice, Dry races, cold, very showery.

I went to Oulton Park on Friday for a days testing. Having never raced there before it seemed a good idea to get some track time in considering the length of the circuit and the amount of technical corners etc. Had six sessions and did most on the spare bike. Did the two final sessions on the race bike and went 4 seconds quicker so things looked good for the race day on Saturday.

Wanted rain for this one and we got plenty but not in my races! The Earlystocks were included in a grid which also included Hornets, CB500's, LC's and single cylinders, so a real mixed bag in this race.

Race  6 Earlystocks
Got 24th on grid, not where I wanted to be considering the opposition were right near the front. My grid position was very wet and when the lights went out I got loads of wheels spin. Managed to pass a large number of riders into the first corner (Old Hall) and was right on the tail of championship leader Mick Baillie . I followed him close for several laps looking for possible overtaking opportunities. Unfortunately, I hadn't considered the other classes in this race and some hornets and CB500's got between Mick and myself and ruined my plans. By the time I had got rid of them Mick had got well clear and was uncatchable. Meanwhile, Baz Swailes had disappeared up the front and was easily leading the 750 class and running 4th overall, up with the 1100cc bikes! Finished 12th overall and 3rd in class.

Race  14 Earlystocks
Got 16th on the grid, slightly better than race 6 but the opposition were up on the front two rows again. It had rained a couple of races before ours and the track was wet (or so I thought) and thought would work to my advantage. However, the warm up lap showed that it had only rained on the final corner and the start straight!
Got a really good start and again was right behind Mick Baillie again. Baz Swailes had already done his disappearing act again and was running with the 100cc bikes! this time I was determined not to let Mick get away and dealt with every bike which got between us quickly. I has decided that Clay Hill or the Shell Curve were the places to make my move. On the last lap Mick past a single cylinder bike into Old Hall and I didn't manage to get past the single cylinder until after the Shell Curve. My passing opportunity was gone and even though I got right back with Mick there was no way I could pass him into the last corner which was all wet! Finish 15th overall and 3rd in class again.

These two 2nd places in class have increased Mick Baillie's lead in the 750 championship and has made him pretty much uncatchable (shouldn't have missed the two Cadwell Park rounds!). Baz Swailes is scoring good points and will be snapping at my heels soon if I don't get some wins. Look forward to Mallory where I am still narrowly leading the EMRA 750 championship.

Race  1 Drayton Croft Mallory Trophy - Qualifier
Entered this again for an extra ride. Drew 31st place on the grid. Got away really well but by the time I reached Gerrards the bigger and more powerful bikes had passed me. Rode hard for the first two laps. On lap three, the marshalls at the hairpin and bus stop were waving arms etc and seemed to be very excited about something. There were no yellow flags so I just carried on. Looked down at the engine on the start straight and everything seemed fine so just pressed on. On the forth lap they were at it again at the hairpin and when I got to the bus stop there was marshall in the track begging me to stop. I pulled over and immediately got engulfed in thick blue oil smoke which was pouring from the front of the bike. Although it was running fine I thought the engine had blown. When the recovery van dropped me back at the pits closer inspection revealed that the oil cooler hoses had burnt through on the exhaust, so no as bad as I thought but with no replacements it was onto the spare bike for the rest of the day.

Race  4 Earlystocks
Out on the spare bike for this one which was hastily scrutineered in time. Got 8th place on the grid alongside Mick Baillie who I really needed to beat. Got away really well but the rest of the 750's left me for dead into Gerrards, this was going to be damage limitation exercise for the rest of the day. Was left on my own and only managed 4th place and lost valuable EMRA and Earlystock points to Mick who was flying and in 1st place in class.

Race  4 Drayton Croft Mallory Trophy
Didn't bother. With no spare bike I couldn't afford anything else to go wrong.

Race  13  Earlystocks 
Got 16th on the grid for this one again alongside Mick Baillie. It was complete repeat of race 4 but didn't get good start and was well down the grid on the first lap. After passing Colin Young on last years championship winning bike I was again in a lonely 4th place in class and Mick took the win again but only after a hard fought battle with Keith Chambers and Baz Swailes.

Went into this meeting with a 13 point lead in the EMRA championship, Mick Baillie's two wins means that I am now in 2nd spot one point behind. Good job Clive let me keep last years bike as a spare otherwise no points at all would have finished it completely.

Decided after this meeting that the XJ550 is just not fast enough for this class any more, so have bought Keith Chambers Suzuki GSX750. If you can't beat em, join em!!
Clive has had the spare bike back and is letting a friend of ours, Clive Rawlings do some meetings on it for the rest of this year. So more competition in the 750 class!!

July 31st - Darley Moor - Earlystocks 8th Round 

First time out with the 750. The Blue XJ is still not repaired after Mallory so had the old Yellow XJ550 as a spare. Things did not get off to a good start. With new tyres fitted, it rained at the start of practice and I had to go out on some slippery, unscrubbed rubber! Then the bike started to overrev and the throttle was ticking at about 1/2 throttle! Then, on the third lap it just died down the main straight!

Messed around with it and it appears that the vacuum pipe for the fuel tap had a leak which is why it died. I assumed that the slides were sticking in the carbs, but after several strips and much cleaning it was still over revving.

Race  6 Earlystocks
Had to go out on the spare XJ550 and was not in a good mood. Got a good start but I was never going to be in contention. Mick and the rest just cleared off and I had a very lonely race to 4th in class.

Race  11A Open Solos
After some more messing, Clive casually stuck his head above the engine and pointed out that the clutch cable was fouling the throttle mechanism! Problem solved. Luckily got a grid near the back for this race, I was the only one on a bike more than four years old, but it gave the commentator something to talk about. Finish in 17th place and got some much needed track time on the new bike.

Race 14 Forgotton Era
Got a slot on the second row and got away really well. Was in third position into the 1st corner. Got zapped by several bigger bikes (an OW01 and some Katana 1000's) but managed to hold my own in 7th position. Then on the penultimate lap, it just died at the end of the main straight. After pulling off the circuit, it transpired that I had accidentally knocked the kill switch and turned off the ignition! So a non-finfish in this one.

Race 18 Earlystocks
Got a front row slot for this one and got away very well. Was in third place but it wasn't long before the 750's of Mick Baillie, Baz Swailes and Andy Charlesworth had got the better of my inexperience on the very heavy 750. Finished 4th in class but much faster than on the XJ550.

August 1st - Darley Moor - Earlystocks 9th Round 

Russell (my 11yr old son) and me slept in the back of the van overnight. Not very comfortable but the late night and beer helped the sleep!

Race  6 Earlystocks
Bit of a repeat of the previous day really, got away well but still not fast enough to fend off the other 750's. the bike doesn't seem to be geared right and is not revving out on the straight. Finished 4th in class again. With Mick Baillie taking the win with Baz Swailes a close second. Andy Charlesworth got me on the last corner in a superb dive up the inside to pinch 3rd spot. My lap times were faster than the previous day so it wasn't all bad.

Race  11A Open Solos
As before, I never really was going to be anywhere near in this event on such an old bike, but had a go and was only lapped by the first three. Finished in 20th spot and did some good times.

Race 14 Forgotton Era
Had a good ride in this race and had a good battle with Andy Charlesworth, who again pipped me on the last corner, he is not going to that to me again today!! Finished in 7th place with again an improvement in lap times.

Race 18 Earlystocks
Decided to really have go in this one. Got into a race long battle with Adrian Sanders on his RD400. I lost count how many times we passed each other. The other 750's had done their disappearing act again but his time headed by a flying Richard Digby on a mega-fast GT750 watercooled, two-stroke Suzuki. On the last lap I passed Adrian down the straight and held a tight line into the last corner forcing Adrian to take the long way round. Then, from nowhere appeared Andy Charlesworth again who somehow got inside of me and very much on the limit, held the inside to pip me to the line. So 5th in class. Knocked 2 seconds off my previous best times so it wasn't all bad.

August 21st - Castle Combe - Earlystocks 11th Round 

Had to do timed practice. Unfortunately, my two practices were back to back. The old GSX did not take kindly to two thrashings one after the other and cooked itself. The clutch began dragging badly and the power dropped off so didn't qualify very well. We also had to race the Earlystock rounds in the Sound of Thunder event with modern 999 Ducati's etc. Not a good idea putting 20yr old bikes out with these guys, they made us look slow.

Weather was hot 27 degrees C and very sunny.

Race  4 Earlystocks
The Earlystock riders were scattered all through the grid, with the best qualifier being Clive Wadey in 20th on the grid! I was 36th on the grid, behind all the riders I needed to beat! Never really got to race other Earlystock bikes as we were all mixed up with the twin cylinder bikes. Somehow managed to finish in 30th position overall, 4th in the 750 Earlystock class.

Race  6 Pro-Bike Open
Only entered this for an extra ride. Started from 32nd position on the grid and finished in last place in 31st position. This was against 2004 model R1's and GSXR1000's so it was never really on the cards for a better result.

Race 11 Earlystocks
36th on the grid again. The GSX750 was suffering badly from the heat and was lacking in power all around the circuit. Not sure on the overall position but was 3rd in the 750 Earlystock class. Had to go straight back out for the Pro-Bike race!

Race 12 Pro-Bike Open
Swopped over to the XJ550 as the GSX clutch was dragging so badly I couldn't change gear! 32nd on the grid again. This was the first time I had ridden the XJ since we welded the exhaust system up. It flew and was more like the bike which Shaun and Karl had told us it was. I finished one place from last but got in a race long battle with four R6 Yamaha's! I even beat one of them as well. Best race of the day and the XJ went superbly.

September 6th - Mallory Park - EMRA 5th Round/Earlystocks 12th Round 

The GSX suffered from the clutch problems encountered at Castle Combe in practice so I decided to give it a rest and use the XJ550.

Race  2 Drayton Croft Qualifier
My usual attempt at the Drayton Croft to get my race head on. Started from 18th on the grid. Got into a battle with Clive Wadey and Richard Digby at the back of the race. A 250 GP rider took Richard out at the hairpin and the race was stopped. Finished 18th so did not qualify for the final.

Race  5 Earlystocks
7th on the grid for this one. Now 1 point behind Mick Baillie in the EMRA Championship so really needed a good result in this one. The XJ was flying and could easily hang onto the 750 bikes in Mick and Baz Swailes. Just couldn't get past these two who were tripping over each other. Baz took the class win, with Mick 2nd and me in a close 3rd. Mick gained another 2 points on me but it could have been worse.

Race 14 Earlystocks
12th on the grid for this one. It was bit of a repeat of race 5 really. Has several stabs at passing Baz Swailes but just couldn't make it stick. Mick took the class win with Baz 2nd and me 3rd. Mick has extened his EMRA lead by a few more points but is still catchable.

September 11th - Anglesey Circuit - Earlystocks 13th Round 

A whole weekend of racing! Got there on Friday evening and walked the circuit. What a cracking track and, being on the edge of the sea, one the most dramatic circuits I've raced at. The track and the circuit facilities were superb and credit to the circuit. The Preston and District club were one the friendliest this season. Friday nights weather took a turn for the worse, with torrential rain and storm force winds.

Practice went well and I practiced on both bikes, but I didn't feel confident that I knew the circuit well enough.

Race  6 Earlystocks
The weather was really rough in the morning and didn't look promising for the rest of the day. 7th on the grid for this one. Got a good start and found myself in 5th place behind Baz Swailes. Past Baz on the run up the hill into the Radar chicane. Baz got it wrong somehow, and heard a scraping behind me as Baz hit the deck. Now in 3rd overall I set off in pursuit of the 1300 class bike of Clive Wadey and Steve Cave. Finished first in the 750 class and 3rd overall. My fears of not knowing the circuit well enough were totally wrong and felt very confident putting in some good fast laps.

Race  8 350-750classics
Entered this for an extra ride. Got 7th on the grid for this one as well. The weather was looking dodgy and the wind was making it difficult to stay in a straight line at times. Used the GSX for this race. Was in 5th position when the race was stopped in the 2nd lap. Before we got chance to restart, the rain came in and that was it for the remainder of the day. The clerk of the course inspected the circuit several time, but with a reported 18 inches of water on the first turn (School) the meeting was abandoned.

Milled around in the torrential rain and driving wind for rest of the afternoon. The Earlystocks club had a BBQ in the evening hosted by Cass and Steve Bailey who run the club. this was held in the scrutineering bay as it was the only place to get out of the wind and rain. 

September 12th - Anglesey Circuit - Earlystocks 14th Round 

Awoke to sunshine and a fresh wind.

Race  6 Earlystocks
7th on the grid again. On the warm up lap it started to spit with rain and I nearly dropped it at the hairpin. by the time the race had started it had become torrential. You could hardly see the tarmac for the rain bouncing off it. I had moved through the grid on the first alp after abad start, loads of wheels spin and missed a gear. As we came round to complete the first lap for some reason Steve Cave and Rob Eley for some reason pulled in and the race was stopped. Although I appreciate the conditions were not good I wanted to carry on.

After a delay of an hour the race was re-run. With the rain still coming down we restarted. Richard Digby on the GT750 just disappeared but, knowing that I needed the points, concentrated on beating Baz Swailes and Andy Charlesworth. Finished 2nd in class and 8th overall.

Race  8 350-750Classics
Didn't fancy taking the heavy GSX out in the heavy rain and didn't want to damage the XJ, so opted out of this one.

Race 17 Earlystocks
7th on the grid again. The rain was very heavy in this race and found myself behind Baz. Richard Digby had cleared off so I decided to just concentrate on beating Baz again. On the 5th lap I decided to pass Baz around the outside at the hairpin. I'm sure what happened next but somehow Baz and myself got tangled up and ended up at 90 degrees to the track and on the grass. I was really pissed of with this and within half a lap I had re-caught and passed Baz at School corner. I put in a fast alst alp and finished well lcear, 2nd in the 750 class and 9th overall.

The meeting was abandoned again after this race due to the torrential rain and wind.

I thoroughly enjoyed this meeting, the circuit was superb and the Preston club should be proud of themselves. Their organisation was great.

September 28th - Mallory Park - EMRA 6th Round/ Earlystocks 15th Round  

Wanted rain for this one but instead got sunny and warm weather! Final rounds of the EMRA and Earlystock Championships. I was in with a chance of winning the EMRA title with Mick Baillie only 8 points ahead. But this would mean winning both races and Mick finishing in 3rd or lower (if only it would have rained!) Also in with a chance of 2nd spot in the Earlystock Championship, only have to follow Baz Swailes home in both races.

Race  2 Drayton Croft Mallory Trophy - Qualifier
Entered this again for an extra ride. 6th place on the grid, alongside my old friend Jason Heritage on his R6. Got a good start and rode reasonably hard to finish in 16th and the last qualification place for the final. Not bad for a 23 year old bike.

Race  5 Earlystocks
Got 7th place on the grid alongside championship rival Mick Baillie. Baz Swailes was on the row in front so a good start was needed. Got away well and followed Baz round Gerrards. Mick did an impressive outbraking manoeuvre into Edwinas taking three of us in one go. I tohought he wouldn't make the corner but he did and made it stick. Mick just put in a couple of fast alps and got to a point where I was never going to catch him unless he made a mistake - that's the EMRA title gone then! Tucked in behind Baz who was harassing Richard Digby on the GT750 which wasn't running too well. Followed Baz home to take 4th place in the 750 class.

Race  12  Drayton Croft Mallory Trophy
Took the GSX out for this one and started from 29th on the grid. Wasn't really trying too hard as I didn't want to do anything stupid and not be able to do the final Earlystock race. Got lapped on lap 7 and nearly got taken out by a 250 rider at Edwinas. The GSX is just too slow for this level of competition so pulled out on lap eight.

Race  15  Earlystocks 
So here we are the final race of the year. Only need to follow Baz home to get 2nd position in the championship. Bit of a repeat of race 5 with Mick taking an early lead, with Richard, Baz and myself on his tail. On lap 5 Baz got past Richard, who's bike was still not going too well so I set off with the intention of passing Richard as well. I had to stay on Baz's tail. Mick got tangled up with Andy Jackson and Baz somehow managed to squeeze through. Luckily Mick was having none of it and passed him back into the hairpin. From where I was I thought Mick had let Baz take the class win but the results showed this was not the case, although there was only 0.3 second between them over the line.
After the race there was some frantic calculations going on, Baz thought I had got second and i thought he had got it. It turned out that we were both tied on 151 points, so it went down to race wins. We both had three wins each so on to second places. Baz had 7 and I had 5 so Baz, deservedly took the 2nd position.

The XJ went really well but apparently was smoking badly in the last race. Also, the handling was bit suspect all day so a winter rebuild is in order.

Congratulations to Mick for winning both titles and well done to Baz for taking 2nd spot, it when down to the wire and couldn't have been closer.

Sponsor, Clive Wadey also took both the EMRA and Earlystock titles in the 1300cc class.