What can i say???? I have had, no, we have had, a year of ups and downs.....
From last years TT and Southern 100 we have had some fantastic finishes and some real low points, let me explain!
As usual, we arrived for the TT, positive and virtually prepared.... Wayne and Mark get set up, pick up the fuel, pretty much the standard routine that needs to happen to get ready for practice week.
The Manx weather can be a little temperamental at times, no more so this year! With limited practice sessions for all riders, they use what time they had and came in with some decent times, obviously saving the engines for the races but ensuring some good qualifying times.
As this year has flown by, my memory of every detail has elapsed, but i can give you race times and finishes, i hope thats ok!?
Race 1
lap time..... 1. 21.09.939 2. 20.44.321 3. 21.08.912
finish position...... 10th
Race 2
lap time.... 1. 21.17.263 2. 20.44.172 3. 20.45.267
finish position..... 9th
A few bugs on the mountain!! Practice night. photo by Neil Jones
So, still a fantastic couple of top ten finishes......however, a fueling problem left us feeling a little cheated of some better times. We had put everything into the engines that we thought would make a marked improvement with our times but it wasn't to be this year!!
A bitter sweet TT, but a safe journey home!
The Southern 100 was Wayne and Marks highest finishes to date and some of their top performances too. Its an exciting circuit and its not everyones cup of tea, but the boys love it! As a spectator, you get to see some amazing racing from sidecars and those two wheel jobs... but both leave you with your stomach in your throat!!
Race Results
Race 6.......3rd place...... total time...16.10.409 ... average speed... 94.599.... best time... 2,39.040... best speed.... 96.202 in lap 3.
Race 12..... 2nd Place...... total time.... 13.21.140 ... average speed... 95.489 ... best time... 2.38.391... best speed... 96.596 in lap 2.
Thats better!! To say we enjoyed the Southern 100 would be an understatement!! Two podium finishes, among some fine champions in their own right and racing hard, fast and enjoying every second......
Of course...... None of this would of been possible without the help and generosity of one Mr Horst Walczak!! A true legend.... He lent us his engine as he was unable to race this year, and through his kind and generous nature, he was a gentleman and loaned us his prized engine. We would not of had these finishes without him and we would like to say a huge THANK YOU...
We owe you a couple of pints then Horst!!?? You're a top bloke....... see you on the Island then eh???
We left the Island on a high and vowed to sort out the TT issues.... no further race plans had been sorted, but next season was looking to be promising for some top racing...... however, not to be......
Mark had decided to have a break from being a passenger, we were gutted!! Its not too far away from the TT and we have to sort out a new passenger, get signatures for the mountain course license and prepare ourselves for change!!
Thank you Mark!! We're going to miss having you on board!
Photo by Mrs Bob
Not a fun place to be and in reality, we were pushing it for time! Luckily we managed to borrow one Mr Kenny Cole, and experienced passenger and capable of getting some strong finishes. We have gained one of the final two signatures at Silverstone with BEMSEE, and the second one last weekend at Caldwell Park, again with BEMSEE.
3 weeks left before Wayne leaves for the Island and we have most of the plans in place now, always a rush, lots of driving around picking up parts and visiting sponsors for that last late influx of cash for the necessary tyres and fuels etc.
I will keep on top of this blog now I'm up to date with it..... some new photos to be loaded on and don't forget to click the picture which will take you straight to Instagram for updates throughout the races!!
See you there!!!