Change of Passenger once again, this
time joined by Jamie Scarffe. We were entered into the southern nice
and early however I had decided to withdraw due to financial reasons ( no
money ). Right at the death Jamie helped me out and got me entered
replacing Tony Palacio after I told him I was not doing it days earlier.
Dave Quirk, Lenny and Mark Bumphrey as always helping with the spanners and
pits. First practice
started with 2 speed controlled laps by a TM which were worse because you
feel every bump on the track, but you have to do it.
Next was open practice and timed
qualifying and we set off near the back behind Dave Lillie. After half
a lap Alan Warner tanked it past me like I was standing still followed by
Doug and Ed Wright. The latter coming very close and nearly putting me
into a wall. I managed to follow all three and overtake a few but its
such a tight place overtaking is hard. By the end of the session we
were 19th our of 31. Which I was happy enough with for my first go and
still on standard engines. Jamie was happy enough and Big Dave Quirk
made a late appearance with his new love machine recently christened
Tuesday started late because I was with my son all day and we didn't have
much to do to the bike before practice. Same as Monday 2 speed
controlled laps following a marshal. On the second lap I felt
the engine lose power so pulled in straight away to have a look. After
2 hours we found out that the engine was knackered, same as before a big end
gone. 3 engines damaged beyond repair. That's about £6000 down the
swanny. I went home to look after Charlie and Dave, Lenny, Jamie and
Mark worked on the bike for Wednesday.
Race Day
Wednesday was a total washout due to
the weather and we were glad really we still had work to do on the bike and
I was not happy with it yet. By Thursday Morning we were all set to go
except Jamie and Quirky who were still spooning in Quirkys new race van.
( enough said ). We were entered into the consolation race because we
had not met the required time for the championship race, however if we
finished on the rostrum then we could race in the big final. Greg
Lambert, Dave Molyneux and a few other lads round the paddock were great
giving me a boost saying " you can win this " and I believed I would.
Jamie and me decided that I would sit back for 2 laps and work my way
through them which is what am used to. The warm up lap seemed to go on
forever and we finally lined up behind Ruth Laidlow. By the time we
got to the first corner we had dropped to 6th place and I was pissed off.
By the end of lap one I had got up to 3rd place behind Mike Lines and Dean
Lynden. On the second lap I said "I've won this these guys are slowing
me down", they were so fast in a straight line but slowed right down at
every corner and I was shutting off to avoid hitting them. I messed
around after moving up to 2nd behind Mike and had a right laugh sticking my
nose in now and again to see what he would do and eventually he bottled it
and I got through at cross 4 ways. I knew his bike was quicker so the
sprint to stadium corner was going to be hard. Mike came past at
Stadium and made a right hash of castletown corner but forced me wide.
Next Dave Lille came from behind and nearly hit me in a spin. Jamie
dived over the front and helped me stear the bike to the chequered flag.
I couldn't believe it, I won......
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