Down to Oxford Speedway on late previous Friday afternoon (I know, I know... I've been slack...) for the next round of the flattrackin’ Grand National Championship. Despite all the rain, the track was dry and dusty with a top layer of loose gravel in practice. I was looking forward to the heats.
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| The racing was close all evening |
Heat one and I’m drawn at the back. I almost stall off the line… the bike hooks up, I gas it and I off. Into the thick of it in turn 1, bike ahead misses a gear, I take avoiding action and bounce off Pete Wilkinson who goes down. Shit. Sorry Pete. Red flag.
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| I think I unintentionally clipped Wilky's handlebar - sorry Pete |
Restart. I almost stall, get the 640 hooked up and am off into turn one. It’s a close race… I make a few passes and finish 3rd or 4th. Happy with that effort from the back row.
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| The speedway guys came out to give a few demonstration races |
Heat 2 and I’m drawn on the middle row. Remembering my last two lightning starts, I almost stall on the line… hang on… I do stall on the line. Fuck! I’m left in the silent dust-cloud of shame. I try get the bike started, but she struggles and it’s two laps in by the time she fires up. I’m pissed at myself so fling the bike around a bit wildly to finish the heat in last place. Yay.
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| Paddock life |
The problem of mid season last year is back. She struggles to start, will only idle with the choke on and bogs down when the throttle is cracked open. Blocked pilot jet again methinks. Maybe my fibreglass tank is being chowed away by the petrol… need to check that.
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| Time Neave makes easy work of getting past me... check the difference in lean angle... the lad's got talent! |
Heat 3 and I’m drawn in the front. I make an okay start but am quick and consistent enough to finish second behind protégé Tim Neaves on the factory Honda smoker. I end up with 7th pick – happy with that after Heat 2’s blunder.
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| It was bumpy as hell... I was out the seat many times that evening |
Final. Revs up, tape shoots up and I make an okay start to be in the thick of it in turn one. Turn one is definitely easier when you’re drawn on the front row… from row 2 it’s a dog-fight.
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| I love the ambience of a night meeting |
Race settles into single-file on the now tricky track that had developed holes and bumps in the worst places. Easy to make a mistake.
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| A sea of flattrackers |
I’m being held up by a bit by Dave Chadburn and the lead group are getting away. On lap 3 I my move up the inside turn 3. Dave closes the door, but I’m committed… up on the grass to avoid collision… but there’s not much traction there and I nudge into some space at the apex. It’s tight… and a bit strong… but I get through and there’s no harm done.
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| Guy sharing some post-race war stories... check out that grin! |
I chase the lead group of four… getting closer every lap. I keep pushing. On the last lap I come around the treacherous turn 4 and Alan, who was in the lead group, is on his ass – coming off worst in the last turn punch-up between himself, Neil Martin and Tim Neave (who’s bike slipped out of gear on the line and had to overtake the entire field to take the win!).
I steal a lucky 4th - a good night’s work!
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| Ahhhhhh... cold beer and war stories! |
In the Shorttrack Pro final, I see the biggest pile-up down the back straight. Time Neave bounced off the fence mid-pack and it was carnage with 6 riders caught in a dust-cloud of carwheeling bikes and bodies. Only Tim was hurt proper with some broken bones and internal injuries. Tim has been the man to beat so farthis season... someone else will have a chance to win a final now. Get well soon Tim!
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| Watchin the final |
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| One lap befre the carnage unfolds... |
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| Steel fence is ripped apart like cotton gauze |
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| Tom Woolley got bashed up and whinded... but nothing broken! |
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