Candy's Back!

Since getting our TT entry, it's been balls to the wall. And the little item of getting 4 qualification races done before the end of April...

Saturday 7th March I was up with the sparrows for the drive down to Brands Hatch - the spiritual home of motorcycle racing in the UK. It was going to be a special weekend: my 10th anniversary of short circuit racing... same weekend... same track... same organizers (Dave and Bernadette of ThundersportGB)... and on the same bike!

Candy and the Chev-dawg back in service... old girls

Candy, the 17 year old Aprilia was being pressed back into service. I hadn't ridden her in two and a half years. In that time she was kept cosy in my conservatory... and robbed of many parts for the Ducati 888. Been spending a lot of time over the last few months getting her prepped and making some geometry changes (things I learned off my ManxGP RSV Factory - Betty). With such a long lay-off and so many changes, there were bound to be some teething problems.

Candy's last race

Out for qualifying in the 'Golden Era Superbikes'. Out of pit-lane... up n over the right-hander crest of Paddock Hill Bend. Aaaaaah - it's great to be back at one of the best, most compact motorsickle race tracks in the UK. Going down the dip at the bottom pf Paddock Hill and my visor instantly mists up. Huh? On the brakes into Druids... it's not mist. Blimey! It's fluid... spraying everywhere.

Druids - the only hairpin I have ever liked

As I squeeze the front brake, I have visions of the brake-lever pumping fluid all over me. Brakes seem to work ok... what's that smell? Ah. Petrol! As I brake harder, I get more drenched. Bollocks! "Please don't backfire Old Girl..." I grimace. I get off the racing line and tour back to the pits... getting a Saudi-soaking every time I touch the brakes.

Kade and Warren

I make it back to the pits without going up in a ball of flames. A old repair at the front of the fuel tank just didn't like being immersed in fuel fumes for two and a half years. I start looking around and asking around bemused fellow races and crew for a bar of soap (an old Classic TT trick ;-). I find some, but the fuel leak is too big. Out with the epoxy for a quick repair...

In the meantime, Clerk of the Course Dave allows me to go out in a later session for qualifying. Only 30 mins later... but just enough time for the epoxy to set and me to get out mid-session. I have to do at least 3 laps to be allowed to race. The repair is good and I roll through 3 laps just warming everything. Because I'm not in my proper qualifying session, my times won't count... but I start getting a rhythm going as the memories of the track come back to me. Faster, faster. Besides the Scottish Trials in November, I haven't ridden a bike since early Sept last year. Just limbering up.

Candy - lookin purdy.

Race 1 and i start from the back of the grid (30th). I make an appalling start... I'm so far back by the time we get into Paddock Hill Bend that I can't even make a move on anyone. "Common Paul. Wake up!". By the time we hit Druids I'm stuffing it up the inside of another bike. I start picking them off. My first time with a quickshifter and I'm struggle a bit with it - still blipping the throttle. I build the speed lap by lap and cut through the pack to finish 13th. The first (of four) of my TT Qualifiers in the bag. Good job! I really enjoyed that!

Job done!

Thanks Justine Verwey for the great pic!

The tank repair looks okay and I spend the next hour or two helping out and encouraging Kade Verwey (my friend Warren's son) and Max Lofthouse in their first ever road races. Warren was out on his trick BMW RR in the GP1 class as well.

Kade and family - his first road-race in the Aprilia Superteens

Ten years ago, my first race was delayed because of fog. The only thing I can remember about that first race was my crap start. So, nothing new there. It was bloody cold in 2005, but in 2015 it's just glorious. 15 degrees and brilliant sunshine... good track temp to keep those Pirelli slicks stuck to the tarmac. Looking at my time sheet... on lap 9 I break my Brands Hatch personal best... by half a second! On the same old bike with zero performance enhancing changes... just a few years more experience :-)

Gotta have a little Sideburn on the bike.

(drunk camera operator)

Race 2 comes up soon enough. The sun is lower and track cooled a bit. With nothing left to gain I go out and have a bit of fun. From last on the grid, I make a proper dirttrack style start and I'm in amongst the pack in turn 1. The usual Druids lap 1 traffic jam and I swoop around the outside and make up another 2 or 3 places. I pick a few more off during the race. By lap 9 of 12, I'm starting to get tired. I back off a bit, only to get passed on the second-last lap. No worries... need to save the bike, tyres and myself for Sunday.

Get thee behind me numero Seventy-five.

I get the bike ready for Sunday and then drive 30 mins down the road to my Mom's for and scrumptious post-raceday dinner and race stories. By 21h00 I can hardly keep my eyes open and crash out on the sleeper-couch shortly after. A great day :-)

The drive to see my Mom :-)

Sunday morning I get up at a decent hour. Brands hatch has a curfew until 10h00 on Sunday mornings for the local church. Church done, and I'm back out for warm-up with just one click off the rebound to try get my turned slick wearing a bit smoother. The track is a bit cooler than Saturday so I take it easy. Not worth going to high-side city on a cool track in warm-up. Warren and I both get out in the wrong session, so don't get timed.  The bike feels good and our grid positions for Sunday are determined by Saturday's fastest lap (all clubs should do this). I start 10th on the grid for Sunday :-)

One of the best corners on any short circuit - the fearsome Paddock-Hill Bend

Still gives me the heebie-jeebies driving across it.

The fear, disappointment, pain, determination, grit,  passion, joy and elation of all those that have experienced it - all is burned into the spirit of the track.

I prep the bike, only to have expanding fuel start pissing all over the place while I'm spending a penny. Another epoxy tank repair... this time it has a few hours to cure properly. Just 12 more laps needed. C'mon baby.

Race 1 and I make another good start making up a place or two. It's a lot tougher to get past other bikes at the sharper end. We're all running good pace; later on the brakes, running into the corners a lot faster and on the gas earlier than those down the order. I'm trying to find a way around a big silver Suzuki Gixxer. I show a wheel here and there. He's not gonna give it to me.

Early on the gas... watch the highside... keep it pinned... tuck... become speed.

You are pure speed!

By then I had also got used to the quickshifter... I'm on the gas as early as I dare through Clearways and keep her flat-out all the way to Paddock-Hill Bend. "Braaaaaaaapaaaaaaaarpaaaaaaaaaaaarp" the old Aprilia on full-chat with a quickshifter sounds awesome! I get alongside the Gixxer's inside into Paddock-Hill... he leaves too much space. I'm in. He runs it deeper than one should and then pulls it hard toward the apex. I see him steaming across toward me in my peripheral vision but I'm through. I half expect him to clip my back wheel, but I don't feel anything.

Old sparring partner Andy Challis on #20

Next lap, there are flags out at Paddock-Hill. He missed me, but bounced off the rider on my six and into the gravel. That rider behind was Andy Challis. Andy is also on an old Aprilia - I battled with him a few times in the Ducati Desmo Due races a few years back. He's onto me like a rash. McLean's is my weak spot at Brands. He's up my inside and outside around there for the last 4 or 5 laps. Trying as hard as I can to keep the bike from grounding out through Clearways and getting on the gas as early as I dare I manage to hold him off lap by lap. It's an intense fight but I'm in control. He has to take it from me... and I'm not giving it.

Ground clearance issues. Same issue caused me to crash at Clearways about 5 years ago.

Sorry about the scuff to your beautiful paintwork Steve.

Iconic Brands Hatch

It's a great contest and what racing is all about. In the end, I pip him by a few tenths, those Pirelli's laying down the rubber to make up for my poor ground clearance. In a very competitive class where around 140bhp is what you need to get near the front, I'm stoked to get 7th on my stock 1998 Aprilia with just 127bhp (measured 4 years ago...).

The second of my four TT Qualifiers in the bag. The clouds move in, the cold wind picks up, I'm knackered, nothing else to gain and a lot to lose - I decide to pack up and head home.

Sept 2005

March 2015

Same rider, same bike... different clothes... and faster.

Warren had a couple of good races in a super-tough GP1 class, Kade and Max pop their cherries without incident. My first objective was to get 2 qualifiers - done. My second was to finish in the top 50% - done. I head home having achieved what I set out to... and bagging my Brands Personal best. Best of all - an awesome weekend's racing with friends. It makes all the difference :-) Let's do it again in 2 weeks guys!

Max Lofthouse (far left) with his Dad, John (orange top - an ex TT and ManxGP racer) and a gaggle of supporting kids. Sharing a garage with awesome people - a big part of an awesome weekend!

Managed to get some hand-cut vinyl SpeedTherapy logos on her shapely flanks between races.

She drew quite a few admirers through the weekend, although most couldn't work out what marque she was.

I love the old gal!

Ducati Desmo Due - Pay Day

Thanks Jodie Wilcock for the pic

Friday night we loaded the van and got some shut-eye before the early morning trip down to Brands Hatch.

Got there around 08h00 - in good time for the 09h20 Qualification. Bike and kit through skroot okay then out onto a damp track for Qualifying. Most of the racers  made use of the Friday testing so were up to speed quickly. I just warmed my tyres for 2 laps then started chipping away.

Lap 4 and I feel a clunk. Then again. What the? I slow down and check where I can... no loose bolts sticking out. Bike still stops and turns. Engine running fine. Hmmmm... then 'clunk' again. After another lap, it get's worse so I pull into the pits.

First check I and I don't see anything. Helmet and gloves off... check again. Look, look, look. The I spot my chain... at one point, it's at a funny angle. One of the fecking links has broken. Crap! The clunk feeling was the chain hitting the engine casings.

I got a few hours before my race start, so just have to source a chain and a chain-breaker tool. With no race shop in the paddock (which is a bit weird), I ask around. Turns out Colin Norris of the SorryMate Endurance team (they kindly let me share their garage) has a spare chain from last year, a chain breaker/riveter and an angle grinder. Awesome! I get to work.

All done in good time for the race. But my Qualifying time from earlier is shite and I'm 19th on the grid from 23 riders. Got my work cut out for me. Dry, sunny but a cold wind. We line up and wait for the lights...

Hangin' with team SorryMate.com - thanks guys!

Thanks Justine Verwey for the pic.

I make a good start and grab a few places off the line. More places to be had going into Paddock Hill Bend for the first time... and some more going into Druids. Sweet! On lap 2 I get behind Michael Burke and we have a good ol' ding-dong battle for the next 8 laps.

Then the Wee Monster starts to fluff at high revs. Then clears... then fluffs again. I lose touch with Michael, then she bogs down completely going into Surtees. After trying my hand at engine work for the first time over the winter... and the ham-handed cock-ups I've made - all I see in my mind are bits of metal being sheared and swarfed up inside the engine and the poor beast chewing herself to bits. I swear I can smell burning oil. Bollocks!

First corner in a road race is pretty busy.

Thanks Jodie Wilcock for the pic

I pull into the pits and have a quick look. No oil. No chunks of metal. No rattles or knocking sounds. I check again. Nothing. She seems to run ok. Then I spot fuel around the rim of the fuel cap. I twist the fuel cap off and hear the 'ppppffffsssssssstttt' release of pressure. Shit. Must be fuel starvation... I check down pitlane at the finish line. The chequered flag is being waved. Too late.

Team SorryMate.com starting their 3hr endurance race - they got 4th and were unlucky not to get on the podium

This leaves me with a problem. There is only one race on Saturday... only one opportunity to get a qualifying signature for my TT Mountain Course Licence. It doesn't matter which class or bike I'm on... I just need a race finish to get that signature. I check the race schedule. There is a 'Lightweight' race for which the Wee Monster is eligible at the end of the day. I go find Dave, the race meeting Boss. He lets me enter the 'Lightweight' race on short notice.

Paul Berryman helping out with a cup 'o tea and the all important sticker alignment.

Thanks Justine Verwey for the pic.

The fuel cap is a cheap Chinese one. I got it originally for the Ducati 888 Classic TT bike. I didn't like the feel of it so swapped it for the good quality European made fuel cap that was on the Wee Monster. Turns out that although it is the right size and bolt configuration as a Yamaha fuel cap, the breather hole is in a different location. When fitted to a Ducati, the breather is blocked. Yep - cheap Chinese crap.

Thanks Jodie Wilcock for the pic

Besides the chain and gas cap issues, the bike is running well. I'm not being left for dead down the straights :-) Incremental gains: new rings, lapped in valves, removed base gasket, 2:1 exhaust (thanks Kevin Ellis), open airbox and the beautiful Desmosedici aero pack from one of my sponsors, Peter at Oronero.

Because of changeable weather (and some hail), my Lightweight race is cancelled and rescheduled for Sunday. Bollocks. I got find the Race Director and he agrees to give me a signature for that race if I finish it on the rescheduled Sunday. A long, frustrating, tiring day. Cold and hungry, I head back to my Mom's for an awesome home-cooked meal and a dry, warm bed :-)

Lookin' sweet! Did I mention the cool fairing is from Peter at Oronero?

After a fantastic night's rest and some great breakfast, I head back up to Brands for warm-up, the Lightweight race and then the two Ducati Desmo Due 18 lappers. It's bright and sunny, but soon big black clouds blow in and we have intermittent showers for the rest of the day.

Out for 4 laps warm-up and then straight into the Lightweight race. Because I was a late entry and didn't qualify, I'm right at the back of a 21 bike grid. Revvs up, lights out and I make a blinder of a start. I take handfulls of places in the first 2 corners... 13th after lap 1. Sweet! I lose some places to bigger, faster bikes as the race winds down. But I finish to gain my first signature of the weekend. Turns out that I finished 2nd in class :-) but no trophy because there were only 3 of us in the class. Bike works good.

Bike on fire at Clearways... all in a days' racin'

An hour later and I'm lining up 19th on the grid in the first Ducati Desmo Due race of the day. Another good start and I'm making up places all the way through lap 1. Next few laps I catch and pass, catch and pass. I'm up to about 7th and I can see the leading group ahead. Drops of rain start flicking off my visor and screen... I push on. Two laps later and I'm starting to see lines left by the tyres on the wetting track so I back off a bit. The next time we hit Druids and two riders are down and the red flags come out. Damn! Now I got to do all that work again from the back of the grid in a shortened race.

We gather for the restart - 8 laps. But the rain gets heavier, then it starts to hail. They call an early lunch and postpone the race by 30 mins. The rain stops after 20 mins, but the track is soaked. Our control tyre, the Dunlop Qualifier isn't too good in the wet. But we're all on the same rubber so we got to give it a go.

Spot the Wee Monster - 19th is a loooong way back!

Thanks Alan Lygo for the pic.

Another good start off the line. I cut through the pack around Paddock hill, take another bunch of places into Druids, another one into Graham Hill, another into Surtees. I cross the start line in 3rd! By the time we are around again for lap 2 and I'm leading! Its been a long time since I've lead a race... an awesome feeling. Acres of empty track in front of you. Just you, your machine and the track. No one kicking up spray in your face. Beautiful!

Working our way through the traffic.

Thanks Jodie Wilcock for the pic

I push the front a few times in the next couple of laps. I get the rear sliding around too. I focus on being relaxed and smooth. Feeling everything through my arse. On the gas as hard as I dare... just enough to get it sliding. A bit like flattracking. I'm really enjoying it and just keep trying to brake that fraction later and harder on every corner, and get on the gas that fraction earlier and quicker. The last lap flag comes out and that's when the thought of  "I can win th...". I crush the thought before it can escape and do me harm. "There's someone on your 6. Just keep doing what you're doing.".

Through Clearways for the last time... hanging off the bike, egging a slide on. Tuck behind the screen... braaaaaap, braaaaaaaaap... over the line. "Fuck yeah!" I roll down Paddock Hill, the marshals applauding. Goddamn this feels good! I turn around and the track is empty. I turn to the other side looking for the guy that was on my 6. Empty track. I slow right down, wave at the spectators and marshals and wait for the next riders for a hand touch. Turns out I won by 10 seconds. 19th place start, 8 laps... and I win by 10 seconds. This was almost the same as my only other race win which was at Anglesey... 6 years ago... in similar conditions... on the same old bike! Stoked!

Thanks Jodie Wilcock for the pic

Job done - two signatures for the TT Licence. Sweet. The attrition rate is high by the time race 2 rolls around. The track is also a bit damp and patchy after rain showers. No worries. I make another decent start and carve my way through the pack. I'm up to 5th or 4th after some laps.

Over the start/finish line and I get a face-full of hail. Shit! I back off a bit, brake earlier, tip her in slower and easier. As I approach the apex of Paddock Hill, a pair of riders in the leading group have skittled down the track and have been flung into the air as they hit the raised gravel trap. I ease off and hit the apex, my front pushes, I recover, it pushes again. Whoooooah, boy! That hail sure is slippery stuff!

Thanks Justine Verwey for the pic.

The race is red-flagged. Kevin Palmer and Scott Wilson got pretty beat up in the gravel but I think are ok - hope you're feeling better by now. We restart a 10 lapper. I got all the hard work to do again. No worries - what man has done... man can do. Lights off, full gas. More barreling through the pack... awesome fun. End of lap 1 and I'm up to 5th. With my dark visor on, it's hard to see just how wet or damp the track is. I sit behind a few riders for a few laps in the uncertain conditions.

A bit patchy out there.

Thanks Justine Verwey for the pic.

I see the leading group a few seconds ahead, they're not getting away. After 5 laps I decide to make a pass and start pushing. I catch the lead group and start picking them off. There is a lot more grip than it looks like -  I'm riding by feel. Pushing harder every lap, and the grip is there.... no front-end pushes or slides. I wind her up. I catch the leader, Matthew 'Awesome' Lawson as we cross the last lap flag. I don't take any chances through Paddock Hill, get in late, square it off and drive up Matthew's inside toward Druids. Matthew comes across to defend, but I hold my breath and squeeze through on the brakes.

I know he'll be trying to get back at me when he sees how much grip there is. I pin my ears back and sprint the last few turns for the line. I take my second win of the day by a few bike lengths. Fuck yeah! Now that's what I'm talkin' about!

Top step... feels good!

Thanks Karen Claridge for the pic.

After all these years trying, I finally take a Desmo Due win and go on to do the double. It's been 6 years since my last and only race win. Goddamn!

I'd like to thank my Mom, Peter at Oronero, Mike Dawson at MD-Racing, Steve at MTS Classics, Colin and Warren of team SorryMate.com, all the great fellas (and gals) in the Desmo Due paddock, Ale, Oz-Poz and Dooley-Bug for all your love and support form afar. I couldn't have done it without you! It's been real.

Back at Brands... Again!

Sat 10thMarch 2012

Early start for the two hour drive to ye olde Brandishing Hatchets to get there for 7:30. Then it all goes into fast forward...

Park van, unload bikes, wheels off Candy, queue at tyre changers, unload rest of gear, back to queue at tyre changers, go for a shite, back at tyre changers to give instructions, get my gear on, Wee Monster to the other side of circuit for scrootineering, kit scootineered, back to Candy, hook-up battery, gas her up, back to tyres changers... they're not finished, warm up and stretches, warm Candy up, finally get wheels from tyre changers, fit wheels, get Candy across circuit to scrootineering, then get her to the other end of pits for signing on, first call for practice, race program stuffed down leathers and we trundle out for Classic Superbike qualifying...

Wee got no more power Capt'n... I'm givin' it all she's got!

Out in qualifying I do 3 steady laps on cold, untried tyres. Then I'm right back where I finished off a week ago. Short-shifting a bit more than usual because of the deafening roar as Candy comes on song – I forgot my ear-plugs. I put a couple of progressively quicker laps together. The rear is sliding out of Druids more each lap. I come into the pits half-way through the session, happy that I've qualified reasonably well without taking more risks.
Only later do I realise I didn't check tyre pressures... 45psi is a bit more than the 28 I normally run on the rear. Probably explains the slidey-slidey Druids. Doh! I still qualify 3rd in the Classic Superbikes :-)

A van, jenny, paddock stands, a box of spares, jerry cans of gas, leathers and kit... and two bikes on teh way to do sum racin'... early morning delirium!

After a short break and I'm out on the Wee Monster for the Desmo Due qualifying. I get to the assembly area first... looking for a clear track. This plans goes wrong when the Wee Monster doesn't fire up on the button. I eventually get her chugging over after the first riders are already on track. I’m at the back of a big field of 33 bikes. Bugger!

I hang way back on the first 3 laps... coaxing warmth into the tyres until the lead guys on track are bearing down to lap me. Then I get the hammer down and put in a some flying laps with no traffic. I catch a a gaggle of slower riders and pull in, unlikely to get a clear run for the rest of the session and saving my tyres. I did two rounds on these tyres last year... and I’m too Scots to buy new ones for the season. Old and past their prime, I save what’s left of them for the race where a tenth of a second could count a lot. I qualify 5th :-)

Hitting traffic in the Desmo Due Qualifying session

My race prep for the Wee Monster since racing her almost a year ago was: hooking up the battery and sloshing some fuel in. The tyres had a half the pressure they should have had in them! After correcting tyre pressures on both bikes, refuelling and a little fettling I'm out for the one-race Classic Superbikes on Candy. Lining up on the front row, I stare down the throat of the beast that is Paddock Hill Bend... I WILL be first through there. I can see it clearly.

Start lights go out, I'm off teh line well and Candy pulls like a train. The pole starter is alongside, but fades as I hang on the gas as long as I dare before tipping in and falling over the precipice of Paddock Hill.

Taking 2 bikes racing: it’s twice the work, twice the hassle and everything takes twice as long.

Paddock Hill bend is one of the most awesome corners I've ridden. It can be a bit scary. But I love it - it's my strongest corner at Brands. A great feeling knowing that you have this baby in your arsenal.

Through Paddock Hill and Candy is leading a race for the first time... ever! It’s my first time leading in the dry too :-) I defend through Druids - my weakest corner. I know they're tripping themselves up back there in the melee. I have a clear track. What a feeling!

Candy leads her first race... follow me boys...

Mark Dicken gets me across the line on his 1999 R6 that must be tuned to the moon. I hang onto the back of him and then get mugged going into Druids by a blue Triumph. A Truimph 955! The bastird hangs me out to dry. I square the turn, fire Candy out at him and get back on the case. Soon, through Paddock Hill bend and he's mine. Easy-peasy.

He gets under me again through Graham Hill. No problemo as I pass him again, way before the apex of Paddock Hill. Now the leader has gapped us. Damn this guy on the old R6 is quick!

I push, but the best we can do is maintain the gap the leader has. He is merciless through the lapped traffic and gets away. I keep pushing till I pass the chequered flag. Candy gets her first podium after 8 years of trying! Damn, it feels good. No wild celebration... just quiet contentedness as I enjoy the cool-down lap.

The first piece of plastic Candy has earned

Candy is a stock-engined 1998 RSV – she’s only making 128 bhp. Since I got the old gal in 2004 she has been losing out on speed and power more and more every year. Racing is so much more fun when you’re not creamed by more power and can fight a fairer fight.

An hour and a half later and I’m lining the Wee Monster up on the outside of the second row. Start lights go out and I give her beans, pulling a nice wheelie off the line. I storm through Paddock Hill in third and take second on the way out. Yeah!

From 5th and on my way to 2nd in one turn... should be doing this every race!

We push hard on warming tyres. After Candy the Wee Monster feels like a rapier through the corners but an engorged slug between them. I hit the rev limiter a few times just trying the get more go out of her… but she’s got a completely standard, high-mileage roadie engine with only 60bhp… and feels pretty gutless. I hold second for 4 or 5 laps and then the inevitable… I get passed down the straight. I pass back immediately into Paddock Hill.

Then I make a mistake in the transition from Surtees to Mcleans. With a 5-speed gearbox the gearing is a bit off for this section and I have to change down as I’m tipping her in – far from ideal. I miss 4th and hit neutral… I run wide while clutching the stomped down-change. Two riders take the invitation and are up my inside. I get on it again and push to make up the gap… honing in on the bike ahead – “That’s MY podium!”

Paddock Hill is kind to me again. I pass easily.

Ruling Paddock Hill Bend!

Next lap and I get passed down the straight again… but this time a rider on each side! As we near the entry to Paddock Hill, I know they’re going to bottle it before me. There’s a bike half past me on the inside. I roll the throttle before I get to my marker to let him get ahead and I dart to his inside. They hit anchors and I brake only after passing them both and I crank the Wee Monster toward the high inside curb. Whoooohooo!

This is a dog-fight and I’m lovin’ every moment of it!

Somewhere in the fight the red flag comes out. Race stopped. There are enough laps run to call a result at the end of the last lap. I’m unlucky that the start-finish line is at the end of the straight, before I make my Paddock Hill moves and I land up with 4th. No trophy. My poor bike needs more power but I’m still beaming from some great fisty-cuffs during the race… and knowing that in both races I owned Paddock Hill Bend.

Shizzle-mah-nizzle! Now that was gaddamn fun!

I pack up with a big smile. Picking up my trophy for the classic Superbike race before heading home early because of the endurance race in the afternoon. I haven’t felt this good about short-circuit racing since 2006!