Well...after a disspointing Castle Combe...we had had only one week to change engines, get the old fairing resprayed, and sort out all the issues that were preventing Wayne and Mark from achieving better, stronger results and feel positive about the racing yet again........

easy...yeah!!!???

What a week....Wayne made most of it happen....together with Mark...they did the rest as a team..and what a team!!!!

Of course, the Manx weather was going to spoil it all for a little while, a practice session on inters instead of wets let the boys down and saw them unclassified for the first race...oh dear..however, they were supposed to go out for another couple of laps which could of been a better result but a red flag in the prior solo race meant that practice session was cancelled and they only had 2 untimed laps the next day, so the grid position of second to last was a bit of a disaster for the boys!

Wayne had other ideas and off the start line for race one..... Low sun....nearly last to start, to 6th place into the first corner!!!! WOW!!! What a start! A close encounter with the honourable Horst..into the first then past and a strong hold on 5th throughout the race. The Billown circuit runs over 4.250 miles of closed roads....and is eye wateringly fast around the very bumpy twisting roads!! Wayne and Mark were on top form and the outfit had got the mo Jo back.......Real Racing was back!!!! We finished in 5th, a lonely but strong race and top finish.

Race 8.... Thursday 9th.

The second of the two races...this was the sidecar championship race held over 8 laps compared to Wednesdays 6 laps. All running well..fuelling issues sorted, tyres changed and a couple of very positive racers on board. An earlier start to this race..the sun is not so low...not too much waiting around so time to crack on.

Starting in a better position, the boys went off behind Conrad and held a firm 5th position throughout the race, it was only on lap 6 that Conrad pulled away a touch that the team had a quiet race on their own. By the end of lap 8, they had a fantastic 5th place.... Lap time of 2.38.598 with an average speed of 96.470... Which was 3 seconds off the leaders, but this isn't unacheiveable with a few more tweaks here and there. We know the problems but we can't solve them over night.... However...this was a fantastic finish and we are all so proud of them both for the effort, hardwork and dedication they put in ove the whole week. They both did an amazing job and so did all the the team.

The Southern 100 has been running for 60 years and for a real treat, they held some parade laps and we were honoured to of been allowed to do a couple of laps later that day, thanks George! Lynda, the wife!,, me....was the passenger!! OMG...fantastic.....how on earth does Mark hold on over the bumps!!! Weldone Mark..you're a legend!

Thank you to everyone who helped get us this far. Please spread the website address around and remember that Sarah has started us a Facebook page, which she looks after brilliantly! Cheers chuck!

see you at Anglsey and then we'll be off in August but back the first week in September at Cadwell Park, a busy September! Scarbourough, and Croft!

Cheers Derek for the wicked pictures!