After a relativly short journey for us, it was time to get the rubber on the Silverstone International circuit. Wind was a slight problem as Wayne tried to set up the garage awning.... That wasn't going very well!!! Not that I got involved with that! Sorry Pat!! The weather was ok on the Saturday morning after all checks were done and warm up called.... We'd had a shower but the wind was still fairly high so track was drying out pretty well and it didn't call for a tyre change. BMCRC were the host club and had graciously arranged garage accommodation for the bikes which was fabulous, and meant that we could do all adjustments in dry and still conditionsI
Qualifying...you always try and get out as early as possible, but sometimes get held up in holding bay... However, Wayne and Mark do a great job and got a fairly decent position where they had room to move at 11th place, with a 1.15.842.
Race 18... Our first race...
Track was dry and it was a bit cloudy, as ever, Wayne wasn't happy with his start but he obviously made up for it as the team picked off some of the outfits and enjoyed the flowing laps around the famous circuit. Good solid race, with a few changes around the track. Founds on excellent form, closely followed by Holden and Wayne and Mark had a final exciting battle for 6th place which is fantastic, ahead Ramsden and Atkinson. We had a 1.14.771, not bad.....
Sunday... Race 2
Warm up.... 1.5 laps!!!! Cold engine....I'm guessing they were pushed for time. Not enough time to get warmed up realy!!
Anyway.... It was supposed to be last race of the day, but an unfortunate oil spill meant that the F2's we're sent out to as 3 wheels are better than 2!!! Any how... If Rob Hancock hadn't of called we'd of still been watching scooby doo, so many thanks Rob, was all a bit last minute dot com. So, by 4.20 ish pm, the boys hurried and got the outfit ready to set off. In all fairness, the whole day had been a bit rushed but it was a VERY busy meet and time was an issue. Setting off, back to qualifying position from day before, 11th place, they were well settled in and heading for an amazing lap time, working their way up the grid, but on lap nine, just past pit lane entrance on the noise, Mark was out for left hander and noticed a ploom of smoke and couldn't tap Wayne.... Wayne had noticed a mist of oil on the sleeve of his leathers and realised he needed to shut off ....there the race ended.......coming to a halt on start finish straight.
Lap 9 of 14...sadley, the engine had blown.Wayne had managed to pull over ASAP, and hopefully not too late. Damage fairly low we hope. We'll see!!!
DNF... First engine failure in 5 years.... Not a bad track record.
It happens..... We will rebuild.....we will return!!!!!!!
I think we have a bit of work for the next race..... Check the calendar..... Isle of Man TT...
See you there.....
Picture by Derek C Donsworth