Race 2  Drayton Croft Qualifier
As usual, entered this just to get my head into gear. This was the first time I had sat on a bike since the last meeting last year. With the engine rebuilt the bike was sounding sweet. Got 18th position on the grid and got away to a good start. A bit rusty for the first couple of laps but it soon came back and got into the groove. Put in some decent time as well despite the cold conditions and damp bits on the track. Overall, very pleased with this outing. Bike felt good and engine was strong. Handling seemed a bit wobbly in Gerrards but put it down to the cold weather.

Race   Earlystocks
Fourth position on the grid on the front row, so a good start was essential to capitalise on this position. As usual got away well and was in 4th place at the end of the first lap and leading the class. As predicted, Mick Baillie and Richard Digby cruised by on the straights to push me back to 3rd in class. On lap four, Baz Swailes, barged up the inside of me into Gerrards forcing me wide and losing loads of ground on him. Not to worry though as he binned it at the hairpin handing me 3rd place back on a plate, thanks Baz. Finished in a solid 3rd position so not a bad start.

Race   Earlystocks
Fourth Eighteenth on the grid so some work to do with all the fast guys in the class up front. Got a pretty good start and made up some places straight away. Caught Mick Baillie up on lap three after passing new boy to the 1300 class, Keith Chamber, who I later discovered pulled out with a punctured tyre. Richard Digby had stormed into the class lead hotly pursued by Baz Swailes determined to claw back some points after rolling around on the tarmac in the first race. Baz got past Richard and took the class win. Meanwhile, I had got locked into a cat and mouse race with Andy Jackson on a 250 Suzuki. I lost count how many times we passed each other but almost on every corner I think. On the last lap I got away from Andy and as there was a big gap ahead I must have lost concentration and slowed down. I was caught napping by Terry Davies who did a very easy pass up the inside into Edwinas, catching me by surprise as I didn't even know he was anywhere near me. With less than half a lap remaining I couldn't get him back so was pushed back to 5th in class. Good move by Terry though, will have to pay more attention in future.

The XJ550 was smoking badly before this race so I think I need to replace the valve stem seals before Donington on the 20th March

New Era run a timed qualifying practice with the times determining grid positions. I set the fastest of the 750 riders (1.34.51 seconds) so pole position which was actually 18th on the grid. Not bad considering the last time I rode at Donington was on a trackday in 1996! I was expecting to be outclassed badly by the more powerful 750 bikes on a circuit like this but I was proved wrong.

Race 5  Earlystocks
The starter was very quick putting the lights on and then off which caught me out slightly so I didn't get the start I wanted. Main rival Mick Baillie went sailing up the inside at Redgate so I tucked in behind him. He got a better run through the traffic on the first lap and by the end of lap one had pulled out a good lead on me. I then got locked in a battle with two Ducati 998's who easily passed me on the straights but couldn't hold me on the corners. By lap six I had managed to shake them off (that shouldn't really happen on a 1981 550 road bike!) and could see Mick Baillie getting closer. So I put my head down and charged after him but there was not enough time to reel him in and he crossed the line four seconds ahead of me to take the class win. It turned out that Mick had got an oil leak which was spitting oil all over the RH side of his tyre. How he kept riding that fast I don't know. Improved my lap time by four seconds to 1.30.6 seconds. I was really please with second place in this one.

Race  11 Earlystocks
Judged the starter perfectly this time and sailed into Redgate in about 10th place. Mick Baillie was out on his spare bike, not that that would slow him down. Managed to stay ahead of a number of the 1000cc bikes for most of the race and spent the entire race waiting for Mick Baillie to pounce. Unknown to me, Mick's cam chain had broken and he pulled in after one lap. Still at least I didn't shut off and improved the lap time again to 1.29.39 seconds.

This was by far the most enjoyable race meeting on the Earlystock bike. At a circuit where I had expected to struggle through lack of cc's and horsepower it turned out very well. I was able to gain some valuable points and now lead the championship by 2 points.

Race  2 Drayton Croft Qualifier
As last season I used the main race qualifier to get my race head into gear. Was going to use the 750 Suzuki to save the XJ550's engine but decided to run the XJ. From 30th on the grid rode well to finish 22nd against much bigger bikes. The XJ smoked badly again and was handling very badly especially around Gerrards.

Race 6  Earlystocks
Got 15th on the grid for this one with most of the championship contenders on the rows ahead of me. Didn't get a very good start so had to work hard to make up ground. Mick Baillie's Kawasaki let him down again and he failed to start the race. By lap four I had caught the 1st and 2nd riders in the 750 class; Baz Swailes and Terry Davies. I tucked in behind Terry but the handling on the bike was getting worse as the race went on and I was having to back off around Gerrards to stop it spitting me off! Terry took Baz on the penultimate lap but Baz did a late braking move up the inside at the hairpin to take him back. This slowed them both down but there wasn't room for me to make a pass so I ended up 3rd with only 1 second covering the three of us over the line.
Because the bike was handling so badly I decided it could only be the tyres, so I had a new set of very sticky Dunlops fitted by Rod Harwin in hope that these would cure the problem - made even better as my wife, Julie, treated me to them. I have checked everything else so there is only the tyres left.

Race 15  Earlystocks
11th on the grid was much better for me as was one the front runners on the grid of the 750 class. Mick Baillie was back out on his now repaired Kawasaki 750. The engine was smoking so badly that the clerk of the course threatened to pull me out of the race if it got any worse! Oh heck! Did the warm-up lap and all was well, had to do some frantic scrubbing in of the new tyres as well. Got a flying start and took Baz Swailes around the outside of Gerrards to take the class lead. Behind me some other class riders had fallen and the race was stopped on the first lap. Again I was cautioned about the amount of smoke coming from the bike and was threatened with a black flag if it got any worse. At the restart I got a brilliant start and was in 6th place overall. Mick Baillie forced his way through in the bottleneck at Edwinas so I tucked in behind him. After several laps the tyres felt great and the handling problems had disappeared. Now with confidence in the tyres I set after catching Mick. After passing some 1000cc bikes I was now in 5th overall and reeling Mick in quickly. The race had been reduced to 5 laps due the restart and it soon became clear that I needed another lap to catch Mick. With my other class challengers over 10 seconds behind I pushed on after the class lead but there just wasn't time to make up the ground, so I finished 2nd, three seconds behind Mick.

This was a brilliant meeting for me. I have cured the handling problems of the previous meetings and Clive has also bought me a gas flowed cylinder head and high lift cams to rebuild the engine with. So things can only get better and I now have a 6 point championship lead.

Monday 2nd May
Weather conditions: Sunny, Warm 17 Deg C

Race  2 Pre 90's
Took the XJ550 out in this one. Got a flying start and was in 4th overall for the whole race, 2nd in the pre 90's class. The FZ600 engine, bought from Ebay for £80 just gets better the more it is used. Lap times improved again from Sunday, so not a bad result.

Race  7  Earlystocks 
Well fired up for this one. the Suzuki 750 performed well on Sunday so was hoping for an improvement today as I am now getting used to the vast size and weight of the thing. Led the class from the start but I knew Mick Baillie wouldn't be far away. Unknown to me, Mick had cocked up the start due to a stationary rider on the grid and was some way back. Also unknown to me was the fact that Terry Davies was right on my tail for the entire race. By lap three I could see Mick closing in so put my head down and pressed on. The bike started to misfire badly coming out of the corners due to me not have sufficient fuel in the tank! Mick had closed in and passed me by lap five, but I hung onto his tail for the remaining lap. Terry meanwhile had not given up and was only 0.01 second behind as we crossed the line, and I didn't even know he had been there all along! So second in class and 6th overall. Lap times down to 1.09.60 so an improvement despite the misfire.
Race  12 Pre 90's
Took the XJ550 out again for this one. The engine just gets better and shaved 2 seconds of previous Pre 90's race to do 1.11.37. This was good enough for 2nd in class behind sponsor, Clive Wadey.

Race  17 Earlystocks
Everyone on the first two rows of the grid seemed very fired up for this one. Just as the red lights came on, Steve Cave moved forward. Not wanting to jump the start he hit the brakes just as Mick Baillie and myself dumped the clutches and we both fired our 750's past the front row riders. I tucked in behind Mick determined not to let him go this time, especially with eight laps to play with. Shadowed Mick for 6 laps waiting for him to make a mistake I could take advantage of. However, I hadn't reckoned on Adrian Sanders on his 250 coming to play! Adrian passed me and for a lap we kept tripping over each other which allowed Mick to move ahead. So second place again in class and 6th overall. Lap time pretty good again at 1.09.82.

Really enjoyed this meeting. Both bikes went very well and I seem to have finally got the better of the monster Suzuki. Looking forward to the two days at Snetterton in two weeks time.

Weather conditions: Very windy, warm, sunny bits

Never been to this circuit before and needed to run in the rebuilt GSX750 engine so had a steady run in untimed practice. Had a good go in timed practice and came out 3rd fastest which was okay. All races this weekend would be 12 laps so a full fuel load required for each race as race distance would be nearly 25 miles. Earlystocks were out with the Sound of Thunder and Superstock bikes so 23rd place on the grid.

SATURDAY

Race  4  Earlystocks
Got a reasonable start and was in third position behind Terry Davies who was behind Mick Baillie. Passed Terry on the first lap at the end of the long Revett Straight not wanting Mick to get away. Terry was not having any of it and he powered past on the straight on the following lap and latched onto the back of Mick. Terry then passed Mick to take the class lead and this was pretty much how it stayed for the next two laps. The Suzuki then got a bad misfire and was hesitating under full power down the straights, felt like fuel starvation but seemed to clear every so often. This was enough for me to lose touch with the leading two so nursed her home to third in class. Lap time was 1.28.02.

Race  8  Earlystocks
Got a very good start and immediately took the lead with Richard Digby on the GT750 in pursuit. Richard powered by me on the straight on the second lap. Terry Davies had passed Mick Baillie to take 3rd place and it stayed this way until lap 7 when Terry decided to bale off on the very fast Sear Corner. The Suzuki was running fine and although Richard had put 10 second gap on me Mick wasn't closing in. Then on lap 9 the misfire returned and it lost power on the straights. By the end of the lap Mick had caught and passed me. The Suzuki was now only playing up at the end of the long Revett Straight so I was able to keep on Mick's tail for most of the remaining laps. So third place in class again and lost another 2 points to Mick! Lap time was 1.25.071, three seconds faster than the previous race.

Race  10 Clubman of Snetterton
Decided to take the XJ550 out for this one as it was only an extra ride for fun. Mine was the oldest bike on the grid by 20 years and also the smallest capacity. this was great fun and although I got lapped twice by the leader, I thoroughly enjoyed riding the small Yamaha. Lap time was 1.28.31 which wasn't far off the pace for the 750 in race 4! Not bad for an £80 spare engine off Ebay! Must get the race engine fixed for this bike, it would have been a winner here with the 'hot' engine fitted.

SUNDAY

Race  4  Earlystocks
Got a brilliant start and latched straight onto the back of Mick and slip streamed him down the back straight. Popped out on the brakes to pass him into the Esses to take the class lead. Led for the next two laps until Mick did the same move on me at the end of the straight. The following lap I repeated this move to take the lead once again. Mick had decided enough was enough and retook me as we entered the Russell Chicane. I then decided to not pass Mick again until the last lap and had to back off down the Revett Straight so as not to pass him. We stayed like this for the remaining laps until on the last lap I passed Mick again entering the Esses on the brakes. As we entered the Bomb Hole we were side by side and stayed locked together all round Coram Curve on the approach to the Russell Chicane. Richard Digby, whose bike was playing up was just at the point of entering the chicane very slowly as we approached. At such a slow speed he should have glanced over his shoulder to make it sure it was safe to stay on the racing line, but he didn't and was unaware we were hurtling up behind him. Mick went to the left and I decided to take a tight line and cut across Mick's nose as he turned in, slowing his exit speed. Richard also decided to take my line allowing Mick to  get into the chicane first with me stuck behind Richard.  I was livid and tried to kick Richard out of the way as I cut underneath him. I nailed the big Suzuki up the straight towards the flag and was just 0.30 of a second behind Mick as we crossed the line. I could have won this one and was not happy with second position. Lap time was 1.25.80.

Race  8  Earlystocks
I was well fired up for this and nailed the Suzuki as the lights went out. Got a blinding start and immediately took the class lead and was mixed up with the Superstock riders. Decided to put in at least six rapid laps to get a gap over the rest of the 750 Ealrystock riders. Led for four laps and had maintained a comfortable gap until on the fifth lap as I exited Sear Corner there was a horrible rattling from the right hand side of the engine and she began to misfire badly. This was enough for Mick Baillie to catch and pass me before the end of the straight. As I entered the Bomb Hole it appeared to clear and started running sweet again so I set off after Mick and by the time we got to the Revett Straight was back on Mick's back wheel. Once again the misfire returned and a horrendous noise from the engine which I thought was going to expire at any time. Mick once again got a gap on me at the end of the straight but again the engine cleared and I was able to catch back up to him. It stayed this way for the remainder of the race but the engine was making so much noise I decided to nurse her home for second place. Mick and Myself had ridden so hard for the race distance that the other 750 riders were some way behind. so Mick took the win with me finishing seven seconds behind. However I did set the fastest lap of the race on lap 4 with a time of 1.24.88.

Race  10 Clubmans
Really looking forward to this one as I enjoy riding the Yamaha 550. Again totally outclasses in terms of machinery but what the hell! Rode hard and the bike was a match for the modern bikes in the corners, it was just the straights that being 70 horsepower down really showed! Put in a lap time of 1.25.73 and wasn't last, so an enjoyable end to the best weekends racing I've had for along time.

Still got the £80 Ebay engine in the XJ so will have to ride the Suzuki 750 in the dry as the XJ isn't fast enough.

Race  2 Drayton Croft Qualifier
As usual entered this race for bit of fun and get the head into race mode. Track was still damp so took the XJ out for a run. Started 11th on the grid and finished 16th only missing qualification by one place.

Race  8 Earlystocks
15th on the grid with my main championship rival, Mick Baillie on 8th position. when the lights went out I nailed the big Suzuki and immediately shot into 3rd position overall exiting Gerrards. The red flag then came out due to an accident at Gerrards so had to do it all over again.
Got another good start, but Mick and Richard Digby got in front of me. Rode round the outside of them at Gerrards and went into 1st in class again. Hung onto this position for three laps but Mick and Richard Digby were right on my tail. Richards two stroke triple 750 Suzuki was faster than mine down the straights and he powered by me on the Stebbe straight, pushing me wide into Edwinas which was capitalised by Mick who also snuck through. I hung onto the back of Mick for the next lap and entering Edwinas again, an out of control, Adrian Sanders barged me out of the way, almost pushing me off the track, on his very quick 250. As we exited Edwinas Adrian did a similar move on Mick and then proceeded to get into a bad tank slapper! Adrian pulled alongside Richard up the Esses still out of control and promptly fell off. This caused Richard and Mick to take avoiding action into the gravel trap. I moved to the left to be presented by Adrian rolling up the track in the path of my front wheel! How I missed running him over I don't know, but I glanced behind and there was no red flag so I put my head down and pushed on. Terry Davies had gained advantage on me due to Adrian's stunt riding and was now on my tail. Managed to hold him off for the remaining laps to finish 1st in class and 3rd overall. So a great result which gave me the extra points over Mick and also the EMRA championship lead.

Race 19  Earlystocks
9th on the grid for this one. Again got a good start and went into the class lead. Lead for several laps but made a mistake by not changing down into Gerrards. this left me exiting the corner in 5th instead of fourth gear. Mick took advantage of this and passed me on the drag down Stebbe Straight into Edwinas. Latched onto Mick's tail and passed him back again exiting the hairpin. Mick got a good drive down Devils Elbow and we were side by side down the start/finish straight but Mick held the line for the entrance into Gerrards. Mick started to edge ahead over the remaining laps. I kept looking round to see where Terry Davies was but couldn't spot him and assumed he was some way back. No he wasn't he right on my back wheel all the time and on the last lap he popped out going into Edwinas and nipped in front of me. Terry held a tight line into the hairpin so I decided to go wide and cut across his nose. Unfortunately I turned too tight and collided with the concrete inner wall as tried go up the inside of him. this knocked me off line badly and allow Terry to get into the bus stop first, giving me no time to mount another challenge. So 3rd in class and 5th overall.

Good meeting this and some good racing. With my win and a third and Mick doing the same I managed to maintain my two point lead in the Earlystock championship, but moved into second spot in the EMRA championship. 

Weather conditions: Cloudy, sunny bits, very windy 17 Deg C

As per all New Era meetings morning practice was an untimed and timed sessions. Went very well in both sessions and qualified 20th on the grid, which was mainly Sound of thunder bikes again with a time of 1.28.33. Rode the Suzuki 750 today as the XJ550 is still sick - must get on and get it sorted.

Race  6 Earlystocks
Got a flying start, made better by a Ducati which blew up as the lights went out and blocked the people in the middle of the rows in front of me. It was an Eight lap race and after a couple of laps I realised that I was not that far back, second to Nigel Lawrence in the 1300cc Earlystock class and leading my 750 class by a mile. To be fair there was poor turnout in all Earlystock classes, but I'll take a win when it is on offer. Rode hard and had a good battle with a chap on an Aprillia RSV1000 who kept trying but couldn't make pass stick. Finished 15th overall in the race, 2nd overall in the Earlystocks and 1st in my 750 class. Improved lap time to 1.27.34.

Race  11 Earlystocks 
Got baulked on the start so didn't get away so well this time. Still had a good battle with the Sound of Thunder twins to finish 18th overall in the race, 2nd overall again in the Earlystocks and 1st in the 750 class. Lap time was 1.27.36. 

Race  13 Avalon Trophy Race 
Got 17th on the grid for this one, which was the main race of the day and was completely outclasses by every other bike on the grid. Had a good race and finished 20th and last, which was not surprising really. Did set my fastest lap of the day though which was 1.27.22 so a good end to a cracking days racing.

July 3rd - Mallory Park - EMRA 4th Round/Earlystocks 11th Round 

Missed 10th round at Three Sisters - Too far for one day

Weather conditions: Sunny, 24 Deg C

Race  2 Drayton Croft Qualifier
Entered this as usual to get my race head into gear and also to bed in some new tyres on the 750 Suzuki. 9th position on the grid but didn't expect to qualify against this class of bikes. Actually finished in 15th spot and qualified in last place for the final! New Dunlop 209 rear felt fine and the Avon front was okay as well.

Race  8 Earlystocks
10th on the grid for this one but Mick Baillie and Terry Davies were in 6th and 7th spots so good start was essential. Red light came on and was held for what seemed like eternity. Nigel Lawrence moved and the front row so I went - and jumped the start! Luckily the lights never went out so we weren't given a 10 second penalty. Reformed on the grid and eventually got away and tucked in behind Terry in 3rd spot in class. Followed Terry but Mick seemed to be pulling away so dived up the inside of Terry into Edwinas and set off after Mick. Was right on Mick's tail after a lap and decided not to make a pass until the last lap as Mick never gives up and would only try to come back. On the last lap was going to have ago at Edwinas but Mick went in very quickly so I lost my chance. However, Mick didn't get out of the chicane to well and and on the drag up the Esses to the chicane I managed to pull alongside. Mick held a tight line into the hairpin so I decided to go in wide and cut in tight on the apex. However when we got there the yellow flag was out so that opportunity was gone. Then there was back marker in the bus stop so that was that! Crossed the line 0.4 second behind Mick.

Race  12 Drayton Croft Final
Took the Yamaha XJ out in this one. As expected with only 60 horsepower I was well outclassed. I had intended to come in before I got lapped but was enjoying myself I stayed out and kept out of the way for half dozen riders who lapped me. The XJ is great fun to ride and I must get the race engine up and running again.

Race  18 Earlystocks
Really needed to win this one as the points gap after race 8 was down to 2 points. Got 7th on the grid for this one, with my opposition behind me. Got a cracking start and immediately took the class lead. Pushed the GSX750 hard for the whole race and finished in first position, 6 seconds ahead of Mick. This restored the points gap in the championship to 4 points, so its still anyones championship and looks like going down to the wire. Also moved into 2nd spot in the Mallory Park EMRA championship.

Looking forward to Darley next weekend.

July 10th - Darley Moor - Earlystocks 12th Round 

Weather conditions: Hot Sunny 28 Deg C

Race  6 Earlystocks
Got 14th on the grid for this one which is not where I wanted to be as Mick Baillie was in 10th position and in front of me were some of the 250cc class bikes which don't get off the line as quick as I do. Fired it off the line when the lights went out and barged my way through to catch Mick up going through the chicane. After both of us put a move on Trevor Wagland on his 1000 Kawasaki into Park Corner we both had an extremely close race. Mick led all the way but I was on his tail all of the time and had established where I was quicker than him. Decided to wait until the last lap to make my move. Tried to make a pass into Park Corner but Mick kept a tight line and made me go the long way round. Was right on Mick's wheel through the Esses and into Townley's Hairpin when we came across a couple of back markers. Mick got through one of them and I didn't! Mick had a slight gap on me as we entered the Pope Straight for the final time and I knew that Paddock Corner was my last chance. Another back marker was looming up quickly and I hoped we would pass him before the corner. Mick dived inside the back marker, and as I had been very late on the brakes I tried to do the same. The back marker moved right onto my line, forcing me to shut off and allowing Mick to take the win by 0.4 second. Now my lead in the championship was reduced to just 2 points.

Race 19 Earlystocks
Lined up in 5th position in scorching heat on the second row. Mick was in 4th on the front row. The lights went out and fired the bike off the line, almost passing Clive Wadey in the process. Mick was heading for the chicane and I knew I had to get in front of him. I dived through a gap, which wasn't really there to pass Mick and lead into Park Corner. Rode hard through the Esses and into the chicane trying to put some distance between me and Mick. However, I didn't get out the chicane too well and Mick powered past me as we entered the Pope Straight. I latched onto Mick's tail and decided I wasn't going to wait until the last lap this time. Lost count how many times I tried to pass but just couldn't make one stick. Once again on the last lap it was decided by back markers. Mick seemed to get through okay but I got held up at the hairpin once again (maybe Mick is paying them). So 2nd place again and now we are tied on points.

Looking forward to Mallory on the 31st so we can do it all again.

July 31st - Mallory Park - EMRA 5th Round/Earlystocks 13th Round 

Weather: Early rain cleared to leave a dry, but cloudy day with the odd spot of rain, 20 Deg C 

Race  2 Drayton Croft Qualifier

As usual entered this to get my head into gear. Had a good race long battle for last place with a chap on a CBR600. He beat me over the line by 0.2 second. The GSX was going well with the camshaft timing changes done by Nigel Lawrence being very noticeable on the acceleration out of the corners.

Race 8 Earlystocks
This was an important race championship wise. With Mick Baillie and myself tied on 174 points each, second place would not be good enough, especially with only three rounds remaining after this one. Mick got 3rd spot on the front row with me in 6th spot on the second row. got a good start, but so did Mick and I slotted in behind him from the start. Had a look at him for the first time into Edwinas, but as ever Mick is very sharp on the brakes and left me little opportunity without doing something stupid.
Followed Mick for the remaining six laps but as I closed on him on certain parts of the track, he pulled away at the places where I could make an attempt to pass. So finished in second spot and fell 2 points behind Mick for the first time in the Earlystocks and also dropped points in the EMRA championship. Mick rode well and although I have not lapped on the GSX as quick as this (1.02 seconds) it still wasn't good enough to catch him.

Race 18 Earlystocks
I got 4th spot on the front row of the grid with Mick in 7th spot behind me. Got a very good start and slotted in behind Nigel Lawrence and Clive Wadey on the 1000's. Determined to stay ahead of Mick, I went into the left hander of Edwinas very quickly. Too quickly as the rear end lost grip and slid round sideways to the lock stop, it then gripped and nearly spat me over the bars. Nobody passed me though, I must have scared them as much as myself! This lost me my drive from Edwinas through the Esses up to the hairpin. Knowing Mick was going to be very close behind, I decided to pinch his usual tight line into the hairpin. However, as we approached the braking area, Mick had already committed himself to this line as well and actually past me at full chat on the grass, throwing up mud and stone as he went. Wondering what I have to do to stop him, I latched onto his tail. Mick rode a superb race and although we are setting some seriously fast lap times, I just couldn't catch him. Adrian Sanders on his 400 Yamaha nipped up the inside of me as well and split me and Mick up which didn't help. On lap five I seemed to be catching the pair of them up again and decided to try and latch onto the back of them out of Gerrards on the last lap and make a lunge up the inside into Edwinas. Got myself in great position but there were also back markers. Two of these moved over but Phil Underwood just did'nt look, even though he had already been passed by Adrian and Mick, and pulled right across in front of me. Piling on the brakes I'm not sure how I didn't tee-bone him!! By the time I had got Phil out of the way Mick and Adrian had cleared off and Mick took another deserved win. So now 4 points behind, just need some rain!

September 10th/11th - Anglesey - Earlystocks 14th/15th Round 

SATURDAY
Weather; Cloudy, drizzle am, brighter pm 19 Deg C. Did practice and realised the gearing was all wrong - then found out I did not have the correct gearing so would have to do the meeting using only four gears! Not a good start.

Race 2 400/Earlystocks
Entered this as an extra event to get some more track time. The earlystocks were formed together on the back of the grid. Got a good start and followed Mick Baillie round to see how he was going. This showed that his gearing was right and mine was very wrong as his bike powered out of the corners much better. Finished 9th overall out of 20 riders and 4th Earlystock.

Race  6 Earlystocks
Got 10th on the grid alongside Mick who was in 9th. Got a really good start but got held up by some of the slower 1300 riders and Mick got away. After 2 laps it started to drizzle and the track seemed to get very slippery very quickly. I started to reel Mick in and was right on his tail starting the last lap. Got held up a bit by a non-earlystock rider and was in a good position to make a pass on Mick but the yellow flags were out. Tried to out drag Mick to the line nut lost out by just 0.4 second. It turned out that Rob Eley had ground out his LH casing and dropped the contents of his sump all round the track. Six riders fell during the race and I realised that it wasn't the light drizzle which had made the track slippery. Very lucky really as I really pushed on even with the bike sliding around. Lost another 2 points to Mick which I couldn't afford to do - championship gap now 6 points!

Race 13 400/ Earlystocks
Took the XJ550 out in this one. This is definitely the bike to have as it was immediately apparent how quickly it could take the corners. However, without the good race engine it was severely lacking top speed and ended up 3 seconds per lap slower than the 750. Finished in 12th overall.

Race 17  Earlystocks
4th on the grid for this one. Really need to win this one to keep the championship within reach. Got a flying start and got ahead of Mick. However, Mick hadn't read the script and got me back on lap three. Tried in vain to get back at him but just couldn't get into a position to make a pass. Mick took the class win by 1.4 seconds. Now 8 points behind. Can't afford to drop any more points now!

SUNDAY
Weather; Cloudy am, sunny pm 22 Deg C. 

Race 2 400/ Earlystocks
Getting a bit serious now and tried some meditation techniques I had learned many years ago during my motocross days. Basically you just put yourself it a trance like state and focus on the job at hand and winning. Seemed to do the trick. Got a really good start and followed a very fast cornering Karl Scott round to finish 12th overall. Realised I could actually go faster using a higher gear but slipping the clutch. Also beat Mick  by 7 seconds although I'm not sure if he was trying too hard as he had taken his spare bike out for a run.

Race  6 Earlystocks
Must win to stay in the championship running. After some serious meditation in the assembly area I was well fired up and fired the bike off the line. Immediately latched on the back of the two 1300 bikes of Rob Eley and Steve Cave. Knocked several seconds of my previous race time and a fastest lap of 54.5 seconds. Took the win with Mick 3 seconds behind in 2nd place in class. Reduced the points gap to 6 points. Just need to do it again.

Race 13 400/ Earlystocks
Went out in this just to warm the tyres for the Earlystocks race. Mick didn't bother going out. Had a very steady ride to finish 13th overall but still 3rd Earlystock.

Race 17  Earlystocks
Oh well here we go again. Me in 3rd on the grid with Mick in 4th alongside. Still a race winning trance I fired the bike into School Corner in first place. Did a wickedly fast first lap and was still leading comfortably at the start of lap two. Was expecting Rob and Steve to fly by at any time but they were some way back and started lap three still leading. Then it all went wrong! I took Abbots corner way too fast and ran off the track onto the grass. With the throttle still nailed I rejoined the track but was still travelling way too fast up Hill Rise and into the left hander of Radar chicane.  Not sure how I got round this without falling off, but lost all momentum onto the top straight. Rob and Steve both passed me into the hairpin and I knew Mick would be very close behind. Sure enough on lap five Mick outbraked me into the chicane (I'll have to have a word with him about this!!). Tried in vain for the next two laps to get Mick back but he was keeping tight lines and I would have had to make a dodgy maneuver to pass him. Tried on the exit of the chicane to get a good run onto the finish straight but Mick took the win by 0.9 second.

So back to 8 points behind. Even two wins at Mallory won't be enough unless Mick fails to finish or finishes down the order which is unlikely. Still in with a chance of the EMRA title though with double points up for grabs. Going to be a good meeting and may the best man win!

September 18th - Mallory Park - EMRA 6th Round/Earlystocks 16th Round 

Weather: Cloudy, 17 Deg C

Went out in the Drayton Croft Qualifier but just cruised round putting in a couple of quick laps to get my head into gear.
Can only win the Earlystocks 750 Championship if Mick Baillie fails to finish which is unlikely. The EMRA title is just within reach as long as I win both races!!

Race 9 Earlystocks
7th position on the grid for this one. Mick was back in 12th so a good opportunity. Well fired up and got a flying start. Latched onto the back of Nigel Lawrence (Kawasaki 1170)round Gerrards and got passed by Andy Jackson (Suzuki 1100)on the Stebbe Straight into Edwinas. Tagged onto Andy Jackson and stayed with him for two laps before he finally shook me off. Now I thought riding at their pace would leave Mick trailing, but how wrong I was. On lap four, Mick did a superb out braking pass up the inside into Edwinas. I really didn't think he would make the turn but somehow he got it round. Mick was flying and it was all I could to hang onto his tail. Mick pulled away slightly on the last lap and then I got held up by some back markers, but I was never going to catch Mick anyway. So Mick had taken the Earlystock title but all was not lost for the EMRA title, but that was hoping Mick finished down the order.

Race  21 Earlystocks
12th position on the grid with Mick in 6th. A good start was essential and although I got away well, some of the 1300 bikes up front weren't quite so quick off the mark and I got a little bit held up into Gerrards. Mick by now had cleared off and I got into a really good battle with Terry Davies. I eventually passed Terry but he didn't give up and stayed locked onmy tail for the rest of the race, with me beating him by 0.25 second.

So 2nd position in both Championships. Mick rode well all season and proved a worthy winner and it was a pleasure to race against such a nice bloke and skillful rider. Roll on 2006!!