TT Day 16 - Looking Back

A well overdue post...written shortly after we got back more than a month ago but not published. I've been hiding out. Post TT blues I guess. Here it is...

On Sunday, we packed up and loaded our gear from Bray Hill then headed over to the garage to pickup the bikes. By 08h15 we were all loaded up and at the ferry port. Soon we were boarding the Ben My Cree. 3½ hours on the ferry to Heysham and then the 5 hour drive home through traffic jams and rain. Nic was meeting a friend in London that evening so after our farewells, I dropped him at the train station en route. I arrived home after 20h00, unloaded the bikes and van and then got ready for an early start at a new job on Monday. Exciting prep like ironing a shirt. Knackered.

A look back on the 2 weeks on the Isle of Man…

Our goal was to compete in the TT. We had 3 race entries; Supersport race 1, Supersport race 2 and Lightweight. Both the Supersport and Lightweight bikes were new to me and I had only done a few shake-down sessions at Mallory on them. The Lightweight bike was all setup and good to go after my friend Warren successfully campaigned it at 2014 ManxGP. I was also used to riding VeeTwins - so it should be easy. The Triumph was a newly built bike that needed some development. This was telling during practice.… and I had never ridden a three cylinder bike before. They are different.

To compete in a TT, first one must qualify. The grids are limited to only 72 starters. With 96 Supersport entrants and 72 Lightweight entrants, we had work to do just to make the start line. There would be attrition, but we needed to be fast enough during the qualifying/practice sessions.

On the Lightweight Kawasaki, wechanged to a different tyre size. We made some changes to gearing and geometry to compensate and we got it pretty much spot-on. Just a few tweaks here and there and we were on a good pace by our second practice session – this is what you need when racing on the Isle... get up to speed quickly. We had a few issues with the clutch and an oil leak later in practice week which hurt our qualifying time in the end… but still managed to qualify in 40th place and were happy with the bike for the race.

The Superport Triumph Daytona 675 was a different story. We started at a fair pace, but the handling wasn’t good for the TT Mountain course. We improved it with every session, first changing the geometry and then the suspension settings. Unfortunately, the improvements were too small and due to one reason or another (a faulty fuel pump, incidents during sessions and short laps) our pace didn’t improve as quickly as it should have. This left us with poor qualifying times and only just scraping onto the start line in 65th place with a bike that still didn’t handle well enough to go quickly. But… we had qualified - this was the main objective. We were going racing!

For the first Supersport race we made more changes to the suspension. This time they were bigger changes than the small increments we made during practice/qualifying. The changes worked and the bike was better. It still had problems that didn’t allow me to use that beautiful silky smooth power… but it was better. This enabled us to do a 114mph average on the last lap. Just a few seconds off my personal best (set at the Manx GP 2014 on my old Aprilia).  I was also starting to get the knack of riding a three cylinder around the Isle. We finished in 51st place. Our race time 1 hour 21 minutes 2 seconds. There were quicker laps in the bike.

So, for the second Supersport race we made more changes in the same direction that we’d been going. The bike felt better than it did all fortnight… I finally felt that I could go fast on it! I could hold the power over the bumps and jumps without fear of it throwing me off. 115mph from a standing start on lap 1 and a similar time for the second lap which includes slowing down for the pit-stop. Personal bests. Another good pit-stop helped our third lap times.

Unfortunately, the clutch started slipping during the race. This cost us time on acceleration and top speed. In practice we were running consistently around 165 mph top speed through the Sulby speed trap. In the Superpsport race 2 our speeds through the trap were only in the high 150s… it doesn’t sound like a huge amount, but extrapolated over a 37.7 mile lap and it cost us a bit. Despite this, we still managed a 116mph average on the fourth and final lap. This was my target lap time for the TT . Our decent race pace brought us home in 39th place… but unfortunately…  we missed getting a replica by less than 2 seconds. 2 seconds over a 1 hour 19 minute race! We were really happy with the finish… but disappointed to be so close to that replica. Too little… too late. Shouldda, couldda, wouldda.

We needed to make amends in the Lightweight class. It was always my stronger class – a class I was used to riding in and on a proven bike despite it being new to me. We knew we were better than our 40th place qualification and got the bit between our teeth from the start flag. 110mph opening lap form the standing start… including coming in for the short pit-stop. We were on it! Our second lap had our short pit-stop added to the time so it wasn’t too fast… but that’s when the clutch started slipping again. I adjusted it on the move… but reached maximum adjustment halfway through the race. As with the Triumph, we were losing acceleration and some top-end speed. Despite this, we still managed to bring her home with a final lap of 111mph average, 25th place and earned a bronze replica. Considering the top 4 riders smashed the race record this was an awesome result.

As with all riders and teams, we had our issues to deal with. With just Nic and I working on the bikes, we were a bit stretched at times. It was hard work and we only just managed it all. It was brilliant to come away with 3 finishes from 3 entries… with a cherished replica topping off our efforts.

My Best Man Nic was an absolute champ. Neither of us have a technical/engineering/mechanical background or training and have just figured bikes out by tinkering. A photographer (Nic’s day job) and an ‘office worker’ (as Deebs put it so succinctly) doing something we are passionate about. We work so well together and I trust him working on the bikes… it was like having me times two. I could never have done it without him. THANKS CHIEF!!!!

Thank you to all those who have given so generously through Indiegogo. Your contributions have gone a long way in helping us climb this Everest. I’m now looking out for a Kiva beneficiary – I will let you know where the funding has gone. Also to all family, friends and racers that have given support and encouragement… and all the ‘likes’ on Facebook. It may be small… but every little bit helped us along the way. Thank you all for this wonderful opportunity. It's been an absolute privileged.

TT 2015 - an incredible adventure that we could never forget. It's been EPIC!

TT Day 14 - Lightweight Race

Friday morning - race day. Our final race of the TT campaign - the Lightweight. At 10h15 the race starts for 3 laps of the most iconic and incredible 37.7 mile strip of tarmac on the planet. We are rested and up for it.

We're at the garage early to pickup the bike and in the paddock unloading by 08h00. Thirty minutes later and Nic has the wee Kawasaki through skrootineering and in the assembly area. We get her on paddock stands, tyre warmers and top up the fuel. All set for the race.

The Speed Therapy Team

Deebs had to get back to the mainland after the second Supersport race so Mark's partner Kath stepped in to take up the water and screen cleaning duties for the pit crew. Soon the roads were closed and the crew were up at pitlane filling the fuel bowser. Our pit box was right at the top of pit-lane. This is good... just need to watch my speed down pit-lane after the refuel.

I warm-up and stretch. Get my gear on. I love this part of racing... the reflection... the focus. I walk up to the assembly area with 20 minutes before the scheduled start. Head down... I watch the tarmac of the paddock moving beneath my feet at 2 mph, the gray stone glinting in the light... soon it will be a blur and I'll cover more than 100 miles of it in the next hour.

As I approach the assembly area, I walk down the now familiar tunnel of spectators snaking up to where the bikes are. Many with cameras, phones and tablets pointed at me. A few nod as they wish me luck and I get a few thumbs-up. Into the assembly area with the teams, well dressed VIP guests, TV crews interviewing the top riders and photographers in white bibs snapping away, trying to capture the atmosphere, the anticipation and the excitement that builds before the race.

I check in with Nic. Fuel is topped up, tyres toasty, pressures adjusted, engine warmed up and she's good to go. I walk around the assembly area, finding other riders and pit crew that I know to have a chat and wish each other luck and speed with a handshake and some hugs. we want to all see each other back at parc firme after 3 laps.

Spot the Speed Therapy lid...

The Arai support during the fortnight was fantastic. You just drop your lid off and they clean it, dry the inside and prep the tear-offs for the next session/race... done in 30 minutes or pick it up the next day. Service :-)

This is part of the ethos of racing on the Isle of Man that I love. Just about all competitors I know want all other competitors to do well. I'm sure it's the same for the top riders fighting over the podiums. You want everyone to have a good race, go fast... and come home safely. You're out there to challeng yourself, to beat the course. Get that section you've been struggling with right. make that apex you've been missing all week. Hold that corner you've been rolling the throttle on flat-out. Quieten that voice that screams "You're going to die!" at every second corner. The TT Mountain Course - just a strip of road that our human-ness has turned into a mystical place of speed and endeavor.

Up on Glencrutchery road. I love the buzz up there. The focus, the emotion, the poignance. At number 40 away on the road, we have a shorter wait than with the Superpsport races. Less time for the tyres to cool in the light breeze. Less time to soak it in, less time to savor it all.

Within minutes of the start, I have my helmet on and am chanting the mantra "Fast, safe, smooth." to myself. We move forward in the queue. I get on the bike, fist pump with Nic, "See you in twenty minutes" and I'm padding into the start enclosure. "Fast, safe, smooth. Fast, safe, smooth. Fast, safe smooth.".

The view from start position 40 on Glencrutchery Road

The red Isle of Man flag drops and we're away. The little Kawasaki parallel twin revving her heart out in every gear all the way down to Quarterbridge. I'm focused and up for it. easy through Braddan Bridge on warmish tyres up to Union Mills and then we get the hammer down.

Lap one goes well. I'm feeling fast. I get through Ballagarey faster than I ever have on a small bike... just knocking the throttle till I see the apex over the blind rise and then tipping in and flattening it. I carry good speed down to DJs where I say "Hi DJ" as I crank the bike over to the left... throttle flat out, revs rising to near maximum as the tyre rides on the smaller diameter edge. My shift lights flicker though there for the first time in the fortnight. "Sweet!"

Quarterbridge

I see the next rider on the road at Ballacraine after the flat-out blast through Gorse Lea. "Let's catch him." I push on, narrowing the gap through every sector. Ballagh Bridge and I make a huge jump... I gain 10 yards on him. Ballacrye and I'm just a few feet from his back wheel. He's good through Quarry bends and his bike is fast down Sulby Straight. I have to roll the throttle in his slipstream. I don't want to overtake too soon and give him a chance of getting back at me before the 140 down to 50 mph braking zone.

Just before the flat-out right kink, I pop out of his slipstream and pull alongside. He's two feet to my left... we're leaned over and a tall, bright green hedge is two feet from my right at over 140mph. Thrilling! We both brake late. 5th gear, 4th gear... 3rd. We are level pegging all the way up to the tipping in point. I have the inside line to Sulby Bridge - I'm through.

Up, over the mountain and the bike is feeling a bit slower than in practice. It's about 10 degrees warmer ambient temperature and the bike is running about 15 degrees hotter. We had taped the radiators in practice because she was running a bit too cool. Now too hot. Damn. With Nic doing the fueling in the pit-stop, I don't want to cause confusion and un-tape the radiators when we come in. She should be ok for the rest of the race.

Down the mountain, back to the Grandstand and into the pit-box for our mandatory stop. The top teams all have huge tanks on their bikes and just do a stop without taking any more fuel on. They save about 25 seconds in the race. We have to sit there swirling and additional 8 liters of fuel in by gravity while the clock ticks.

With the tank almost brimmed, I get impatient. "Let's go, let's go!". In the rush to get going we get the fuel rag caught in the fuel cap... in a second or two it's released and I've fired the bike up and am trundling down pit-lap obeying the 60km/h speed limit. 6500 rpm in first gear. I hook 2nd, quickly realize my fault and stamp it back down to 1st. 7000 rpm. 58km/h flashes on the board. Lucky!

I think this is through Tower Bends

Back on track and the little bike is held wide open again. "Fast, safe, smooth.". On the run to Ballacraine, I feel what I think is clutch slip. Shit. I adjust the clutch cable while flat-out. I wind it in to its maximum. That's as much as I can do for the rest of the race. By the time I get to Ramsey the clutch is starting to slip again. Shit. Shit.

I try take it easy on the clutch... not so aggressive on the throttle. Easy on my down changes. I have to bring it home. Over the mountain - I give my pit-crew the thumbs-up as I fly past the Grandstand for my last lap. "Just one more lap... c'mon baby. Just one more lap.".

Our wee IOM Mascott given by Glenda and Dave came along for a ride around his home island

Down into Quarterbridge and I see the next rider on the road just disappearing around the corner. having a target always tends to pull me along. Something to aim for. At Braddan Bridge there are marshals in the track and yellow flags been waved. Some debris around.. another marshal running with a back-board and two others trying to get a rider out from under the recticell air-fence. I slow right down and trundle through. Around the right-hander, green flags and we're flat-out again. I can see the rider ahead again through that first sector to Glen Helen. I'm chipping away at his lead.

Into the windy, forested Glen Helen section. The tighter turns, change of direction and on/off/on the throttle makes the clutch work harder... and slip. A lot. I ride as smooth as I can. Up onto Cronk-y-Voddy straight and I can no longer see the rider ahead. I just got to bring this home... I mentally clamp the clutch plates in the engine together to stop them slipping.

Through the flat-out sections I have to keep rolling the throttle to 'catch' the clutch... let it grip then gently accelerate again. It's frustrating. I'm going through sections at 1000rpm less than before. I focus on being as smooth as possible and carrying as much corner-speed as I dare.

With John Trigger. JT built the Triumph engine and most of the chassis. Top bloke and probably the best Triumph tuner in the world who helped us out during the fortnight. Factory!

Onto Sulby Straight and I see the rider up ahead again... but through the bumpy Ginger Hall to Ramsey section I lose a lot of time with the clutch slipping as the rear tyre digs in over the bumps. I give up the chase and just want to bring it home. Easy on the down-changes... gentle acceleration. Less engine braking... but also less brake to carry corner-speed. Just nursing her along. I also take time to soak in the atmosphere. Crowds lining the roads everywhere... sitting on stone walls and grass embankments... some so close you could touch them if you reached out your hand. This is racing on the Isle of Man. This is the TT :-)

I run wide on a few corners because of my change in style and increased corner-speed. It feels scrappy... but I gotta keep going. Up to the Gooseneck and there are crowds 10 deep... I give them a wave as I start my final ascent up the Mountain. Less people... less reference points... but  smoother and faster. I love the Mountain section. I enjoy every turn.

Up over Hailwood's rise... as Douglas comes into view in the distance, I can smell the finish-line. I sweep around the 32nd milestone... 3 apexes taken as one. I love that corner! Windy corner - not so windy today and I drag me knee all the way around it. Beautiful! 33rd milestone, 2 super-fast apexes taken as one onto a negative camber... I hang on the throttle longer than I ever have on the approach. Down 1 gear and tip her in. Oh shit. I'm off line through the first corner...

I keep hanging off the bike... she squirms as I cross the white center-lines. I keep hanging off and turning. My mind is screaming for me to roll the throttle... I ignore the screams and open her up... flat-out. I hit the second apex perfectly and I rocket out the other side of the turns with two feet of tar to spare. Loads of room! Awesome!

Through the Cregg-ny-Baa

Keppel gate and down to the Cregg where the crowds are waving. Down to third and I drag my knee across the curb for the photographers on the inside of the turn. Brandish as fast I have before... clutch slipping on the exit doesn't put a damper on my spirits. Hillberry, and then Cronk-y-Mona... no brakes and keeping her almost flat-out in 5th through the 3 apexes. Signpost, Bedstead, the Nook, Governor's and we're hammering down Glencrutchery Road to take the chequered flag. Job done!

I stop at the beginning of the return road with the rider that was ahead on the road. We give a handshake and "Awesome race" to each other as the big stand of spectators clap. I cruise down the return road... hand out, high-fiving about 1000 hands all the way back up to pit-lane and then teh assembly area. I have never touched so many people  in such a short space of time. Old, young, men, women. I could feel all the love and positive vibes. Wow! Emotional.

Parc firme

Back at parc firme and Nic is there as I pull up. We hug. We've done it! Isle of Man TT 2015:
3 entries, qualified for 3 races, 3 race starts and 3 race finishes. It's been tough at times and a huge amount of work... but we've done it. Mark and Kath join us and we soak up the success. It's been bloody brilliant!

TT Day 10 - Supersport Race 1

With the changes in schedule over the weekend, we learn at 19h00 on Sunday that they have slotted in another short practice session for the Supersport on Monday morning. We've been struggling with the Triumph's handling so it would be an opportunity to try some more changes before the re-scheduled race at 18h30 Monday evening.

Supersport Race 1 - the Crew: Nic, Deebs and Mark

We were up early to pickup the bikes... we were taking the KMR along too because an additional long practice session had also been re-scheduled. Up at the paddock by 08h00 and getting the Triumph trough skroots before getting the wheels off to change the tyres back to the set we had only done 1 lap on - saving the new set for the evening's race.

More suspension tweaks on the little bike

Minutes before the roads close for practice, there is a serious RTA (Road Traffic Accident) at Ballacrye and the practice session is delayed by 2 hours. More waiting around... I take the opportunity to try rest and also buy a TT tee-shirt.

Morning practice lap - Ginger Hall

At 12h30 we were up on Glencrutchery Road for the start of our 1 lap practice. Out on track, the changes we made were definitely in the right direction. I could actually hold it flat out down the length of Sulby Straight - progress. The problem we now had is that it was wheelying everywhere. Great for pics, not great for fast laptimes. We did a 110.7 mph from a standing start - happy that it was better despite the new problem. We made some more changes to try dial the wheelying out.

We clean the Triumph and get it prepped for the race at 18h30 - at the same time Deebs and Mark take the KMR up through skroots. Awesome having a few extra pairs of hands around the paddock - a big help. Thanks guys! :-)

Lightweight practice lap - Wagon and Horses Leap

Soon we're back up on Glencrutchery Road and setting off in pairs for the Lightweight practice. It's a long practice and we have time to get 2 laps in. I just want to test the changes... and not wear myself out. I ride hard where I need to and take it easy on the rest for just 1 lap. The bike is feeling great and we do a 108 mph lap :-) Back in the paddock I try rest up for the upcoming 4 lap Supersport Race.

At 18h15 we are lining up on Glencrutchery Road for the third time... but this time it was for my first TT race. We start number 65 on the road... at the back of the queue... but damn happy just to be there.  Nearly a third of the 96 entrants didn't even make the start. Racing on the Isle of Man is tough. John McGuiness, Ian Hutchinson, Guy Martin, Michael Dunlop, Bruce Anstey, Gary Johnson and all the fastest road racers in the world are starting up ahead of me. An honor.

On Glencrutchery Road

Other than the big crowds, big teams and big names ahead of me, it feels pretty much the same as the start of another Manx Grand Prix. Soon I'm staring down Glencrutchery Road, seeing the 37.7 mile TT Mountain Course ahead of me. The greatest race track in the world. I get the familiar tap on the shoulder and we're off.

The Triumph lifts it's front wheel on the power and it hovers a few inches above the asphalt all the way through first gear. I hook second and it settles down. Nice! I keep feeding it gears as the gear-change lights flicker on the dash. Third, fourth, fifth. I aim for the hedge on the right... I just brush close to it as I crank the bike to the left and hook sixth gear before the jump at St. Ninians traffic lights. Man! This is thrilling!

Nic in his fire-proof gear - Kickass!

I keep her lit all the way down Bray hill... "clunk!" at the bottom and then a big wheelie over Ago's Leap. Sweet! I try relax and just do what I've done many times before... think ahead... twist that throttle hard... smooth... smooth... smooth.

The bike is still a bit of a handful. Not wheelying as much... but is still very flighty over the bumps and shaking her head everywhere. I hang on... try and finesse her and keep everything smooth. The sun is low and dazzle is a bit of a problem on the section from Bradden bridge to Ballacraine. A couple of the corners you come around from shaded areas straight into the low sun - Snugborough, Union Mills, Appledean and Greeba Bridge. In the fractions of a second that it takes for your eyes to adjust, you're blinded. Keep it lit... stay on line. You're through the corner on pure faith. This is where track knowledge is vital.

Sponsorship from PESARO - thank you so much Paul Deba... and for the help in the pits!

My first lap through Glen Helen and for some reason it's scrappy. I'm using different gears on corners to what I've done in practice and I'm up and down the gearbox. It puts me off a bit and I make some mistakes. I miss a few apexes. "C'mon Paul!" "Focus!" I shout to myself in my helmet. I make a lot more mistakes that lap and struggle a bit to get settled. I am also trying to keep my body position as forward as possible to keep weight on the front wheel... I keep hitting my helmet on the screen.

Through the Grandstand for the first time and lap 2 feels a lot better. Less mistakes... faster... smoother. Keep it going... faster... faster. I struggle to hold the bike flat-out through sections that should be flat-out. The bike bucks and weaves around over the bumps that I'm hitting while cranked over at well over 130mph. It throws me off-line and I have to constantly make corrections and roll the throttle.

Over Ballaugh Bridge for the second time... I get some big air but land it a bit crossed up. I'm on teh gas before the bike has settled and it puts me into a big tank-slapper. "Whoooah!" "Easy there girl." as I roll the throttle to recover. Back on full throttle moments later as she settles down. Giving the big crowds value :-)

Homemade curry leftover from the weekend for lunch - thanks Brett!

End of lap 2 and I hammer down the gears as I approach pit-lane. I look for 1st as I get to the end of the stop-box then hold her below 6000rpm as I bimble down pit-lane to where the crew is waiting. The pitstop is flawless - Mark does the fuel-cap, Nic on fuel and Deebs hands me a drink and gets busy cleaning the screen. It all goes so well that half-way through I am waiting for the tank to be brimmed - nothing for me to do but watch the fuel level slowly creep up. It seems to take ages...

Tank brimmed, cap back on, hit the starter. She fires to life. I'm in first gear already, ease out the clutch and start feeding her revs all the way to 14 000. We are one of the last pit-boxes in pit-lane... great for a fast get-away.

With Alistair Bayley - I did my first ManxGP back in 2005 with Alistair

Lap 3 and I am making a lot of mistakes again. Scappy in places... but getting it right in others. I feel settled and fast in one section... then struggle a bit through the next. Racing something that is not a twin cylinder is taking some getting used to. I keep thinking to myself: "This is the TT... savor it... enjoy it." I try. I am thoroughly enjoying some sections... savoring, enjoying... but getting frustrated by other sections.

An hour after the start and I've covered 113 miles on track - we're onto our last lap. Flat-out down Bray Hill on a flying lap is an incredible thrill. Pushing the bars and moving your weight to pick your line between the houses down the steep hill at over 150mph... nothing like it. Bottom of Bray is always a little scary... you get on your line and hold it... "Whump!" The bike bottoms out and wobbles around while you're leaned over... keeping the throttle pinned. It's crazy!

3 SAffers at TT 2015 - with AJ venter and Hudson Kennaugh

I start feeling tired on lap 3, my 6th lap of a long day. I have to dig deep to keep focused and ignore my body's complaint. Mind over matter. Keep focused, keep sharp. The body will obey. I try be as smooth as I can... resting down the straights... soaking it all up as much as I can. I push on through Crosby, then Ballacraine... Kirkmichael, then Ballaugh. I hang on through the bumps to Ramsay... I'm mostly just a passenger.

I get bounced around up through May Hill... soon we're tipping it around the Gosseneck, straight into the sun. Aaaah... my favorite section - the Mountain. Up, up, up... following the contour... fast, sweeping bends... smooth. Over Hailwood's and Douglas beckons in the distance, basked in the evening sunshine. Sublime.

Had a chat with John McGuiness about these fast new kids after the race 

I keep it steady and smooth. The race isn't over... I keep pushing down the mountain. I make a mistake through Brandish... turn in too early and and have to pick the bike up mid-corner. Damn! I check my rpm at the exit and I've only lost about 300... nice recovery! Through Hillberry, Cronk y Mona, Signpost and Bedstead for the last time. The tricky Nook then the silly Governor's Dip... flat out up through the gearbox to the Grandstand.

Flying high over Ballaugh Bridge

I cross the line to the waving chequered flag... at the end of pit-line I see my crew - Nic, Deebs and Mark all hanging off the wall waving their balaclavas. Thanks guys!! We've done it! We've finished our first TT! I soak in the waving, clapping and thumbs-up from the crowds lining the return road... it's taken nine years dreaming, planning, trying... we've done it. Awesome!