Race

Race Report Aintree 17th May (Round 1, Aintree MC)

After having a test day on the 7th may i was looking forward to my first race meet at the aintree circuit, although on the morning of getting there it was obviously going to be a wet day, but with it being a first time there it was just to give a feel of how the racing was there.

Signed in and ready to go, obviously with the rain still coming down i put wet wheels on the bike for the practice, out for practice and felt pretty good, so was looking forward to the first race!

With this being a smaller track than the likes of oulton park, the race time was much shorter which allowed for more races and also with things being run different with this club i was able to enter into 3 different classes on the 600, which were formula 600, superbikes 401 - 1300 and powerbikes 501 - 1300, so with it being a smaller track i decided to enter all 3 classes to get as much track time as possible.

Race 1 and i decided to go out on full wets, although it was still raining slightly the track was actually drying out, out onto the grid in the middle of the pack, away we go for the warm up and it was obvious the track was pretty dry so there was a good chance i was going to chew up the wets, regardless back round to the grid to get ready for the start, lights come on and out they go, i got a great start into the first corner and battled with a few for the whole of the race, 14th overall in the first race which i was happy about and also had a decent lap time for my first time there.

Race 2 was the first of the formula 600 races so it was all the same cc bikes not like race 1 were it was mixed with 1000cc bikes. Before rolling up to the waiting area it was tough to decide what tyres to go out on as it was still a misty rain but the track was dryer than before, in this case i only had enough time to change the rear wheel for a full dry, still feeling confident as once i got the waiting area i still saw others on full wets. Out on to the grid and this time i was 8th with the advantage of having the inside line for the first corner. Again lights on then lights out and i was 3rd into the first corner, after a few laps i did fall back a few places but the leaders werent that far ahead, ended the race in 10th place so i was well chuffed and also considering i had odd tyres on a slightly damp track, also the race that i did my personal best around the track.

The following races were all dry races, but with still using the same tyres that i raced at oulton park with last month i was struggling for rear grip out of the corners which was slowing me down. So the following results are as follows

Race 3 i started 28th and finished 23rd.

Race 4 i started 27th and finished 25th.

Race 5 i started 19th and finished 17th.

Another problem on the day was a dead battery at the start of race 4 so although starting the bike from a push down the track by someone standing there i think once out it was playing on my mind.

With there being 3 classes i was due to go out for race 6 but with it being minutes away and it starting to rain i decided to call it a day.

WIth the second half of the day not being as good a result as the earlier races i was still happy with the day and atleast now for the next meet i know what to expect.

First things on the shopping list for the next meet is a new battery and new tyres!!!!!!

Also a thank you to the usual support of my parents and girlfriend and also to mike for coming down on his bike even in the rain to show his support.

If you would like to view race positions and lap times please visit www.mylaps.com and search for the relevant dates and clubs that i have raced at.