Another amazing ride by Rafe this weekend at Rushwick with Cotswold Club. 3rd overall !!
We headed to Rushwick for a 2 dayer with our club, Cotswold Youth & AMX, it was good to be back. If you haven’t rode with Cotswold before, please do check out their meetings. They have some great tracks and are very family orientated, with a regular bar, Revvi racing and slip n slide in the summer.
It was good to be back at Rushwick, Cotswold had been busy prepping the track prior to the weekend and it was in fine form. Rafe was pleased to be riding here and certainly had a spring in his step!
Race 1 – The small wheels (SW) and big wheels (BW) were combined to give 35 racers in total. Rafe shot out of the gate, but struggled with the first off camber corner. He quickly made up the difference along the straight and around the uphill corner. His focus throughout the race was to keep a fast but smooth pace. We had talked through tactics and how we were going to tackle certain features on the track, this caught out a few riders and gave Rafe the upper hand. He finished 11th overall and 4th in the SW.
Race 2 – Lighting speed out of the gate, but a fallen rider caused a moment’s hesitation for Rafe. But this didn’t stop him from performing throughout the race as he seemed to get faster, hunting down riders which had initially managed to break away from the race pack. One of the corners before a steep uphill straight was proving to be a little tricky, but other than that, his ride was faultless. Rafe crossed the line 8th overall and 2nd in the SW. A strong ride Rafe, well done.
Race 3 – Absolutely pumped for the last race of the first day, Rafe was in the zone, a good start saw him settle into the race, he worked hard to progress past 3 riders, when the bike cut out in a corner and Rafe couldn’t get it going again. Luckily, a fellow moto-dad came to the rescue and after a good number of kicks, the bike sprung back to life. Rafe kept a cool head and didn’t let the pressure of the race anger or frustrate him. He was able to finish the race, crossing the line in a disappointing 25th overall and 14th in the SW. A change of spark plug solved the issue and we were ready for day 2.
After the end of Day 1, Rafe achieved 4th overall in the SW. He spent the evening with fellow NORA CRS riders, chilling and enjoying track life.
Day 2 – Rafe slept well and headed out for a run to get the blood pumping. The disappointment of the final race the day before, now a distant memory. “Today’s going to be a good day Dad” he said proudly as he walked down to the track for practice. Overnight the track had been graded and watered and was looking good.
Race 1 – The small wheels (SW) and big wheels (BW) were combined to give 41 racers in total. Another good start, a little hesitation on the corner, but Rafe was upright! So we were all set. Rafe had a good pace throughout the race and only 2 seconds off the fastest lap set by the first place SW rider. A good solid ride, minimal mistakes and top effort meant Rafe crossed the line in 10th Overall and 2nd in the SW.
Race 2 – Good start, good first corner! and we’re off! 41 riders thundered down the start straight and into the first corner, Rafe being slightly ahead, he pushed hard through the race. Rafe was sitting in 3rd chasing the 2nd place rider down, but there wasn’t enough time left in the race to make the pass. It was clear Rafe’s fitness is helping him exceed and not tire causing a silly mistake. Rafe crossed the line 14th overall and 3rd in the SW.
Race 3 – Fast out of the gate, but not fast enough. If he could be one of the riders into the corner first, this would be the majority of the work done. Something to work on, Rafe rode well, clearly enjoying the track and bike and hunting down riders to overtake and progress. Rafe crossed the line 10th overall and 3rd in the SW.
A 2/3/3 result gave Rafe overall 2nd – Another top weekend and podium finish, well done Rafe.
Pro’s from the weekend; Good solid ride, no mistakes and stayed on the bike for all 6 races.
Con’s from the weekend; Starts are good, but could be better.
Rafe is definitely at home on the 85 and we are excited for the Second Round of the British Cup at Culham.
