Wow what a week it’s been first was our NORA CRS two day boot camp with Joe Clayton and Coach Robb from the USA. Then on Friday we got a last minute call saying a place had come available to race at Landrake with Severn Valley so it was a mad dash to get everything loaded again and start the long drive back down south. Its was midnight by the time we got to Landrake mx track so it was time to get some shut eye ready for practice Saturday morning.
I wasn’t feeling too bad in the morning so was in good spirits and ready for the day ahead. The track wasn’t looking up to it’s normal standard and the temperature was already rising so it was set to be another hot race weekend.
Practice/qualifying didn’t quite go to plan the bike cut out on me twice but I managed to get in a ok lap time and qualified 4th. Once we got back to the van my dad checked the bike over and found a blocked jet he quickly rectified the problem and the bike was good to go again. The track was constantly being watered to try and keep the dust down which was making it more challenging.
Race 1 – I was more nervous than usual while waiting for the gate to drop which affected my start I didn’t react as fast to the gate dropping so I had some work to do. The track hadn’t rutted up that much yet and was harder than usual to make a pass but by the second lap I had found my groove pushing myself to the front and finished in 1st place.
Race 2 – My nerves had gone and I was determined to get a good start. I got the holeshot which I was so happy with as at this time the dust was bad. I set the pace and managed the track conditions well while maintaining my speed. My lap times were consistent and I took the chequered flag with a 12 second lead on second place. Due to the track condition and time running out we didn’t get the third race. My arms were feeling sore all day as it had only been a day since the boot camp finished so I wasn’t too upset about not having another race. It was time to rest up and recover ready for day two of racing.
Day two and it was decided that the BW85 and SW85 would race together which meant that there was 46 of us on the line. I don’t mind racing with the big wheels as I enjoy the challenge of racing against them and getting pushed. As it was the club’s Championship points day we had qualifying again.
Qualifying went ok I got 4th fastest lap with only big wheels in front of me.
Race 1 – the weather was already making things challenging the wind was very strong and so dusty. My start wasn’t that great I got 4th around the first corner so I had some work to do. I got my head down and battled my was into second place on the first lap. I stayed there for the whole race my lap times were not far off of first place.
Before race 2 we got told it would be the last race of the day as the dust and wind had got really really bad and the track had ran out of water. It was my worst start of the weekend so by the time I got into the second corner I was in a dust storm. By the second lap I battled my way into 3rd and was on the back wheel of second the chase was on I made a wicked pass to take second place and I set my eyes on the leader. I was feeling comfortable on the bike and my last few laps were actually faster then first place but I ran out of time/laps.
My weekend results out of the small wheels were a holeshot and 4 race wins. 1st overall for the weekend!
