Mallory Park 21st June - My first DD race(s)

[garth]

Well I headed down the night before with the g/f to camp over at Mallory Park. Arrived 6ish, pitched the tent and had a wander around. Lots of people there with alot of money! Big vans and trailers, campers etc. Felt a little put out with a £100 car and a rusty old trailer! Saw a few bikes I recognised from Ducatisti. Had an early night camping next to the lake and set the alarm for 6.20.

Moved the car in the morning so I was with people I'd met on the trackday the week before. Felt alot happier knowing I was surrounded by people who were in the same races, and could point me in the right direction.

Scrutineering was fron 7.30 and I made sure I was on time - the queue gets pretty big, pretty quickly. Passed scrutineering (or technical inspection, as it's now called) without a hitch. Pretty basic checks, oh, yep, you've got a helmet, yep, when I wiggle it your head doesn't fall off etc.

After I'd had my entry card signed by the Tech Inspection guys, I was off over to Race Control to sign on. I also had to hire a transponder, because mine has descided not to work. £50 deposit and £10 fee to do so. Then that's it - Ready to go.

I'd entered into three races, with two timed practices. First practice (15mins) was for the allcomers race, which you can enter if your bike is between 80cc and 690cc. Only did 8 or so laps of qually as I didn't want to push it and mess up the bike for the races I really wanted to do - the DesmoDue 1&2. Didn't do particularly well and qualified 26th (6th of the 11 DD bikes in allcomers) with a poo time of 1.07.56.

I'd filled up with fully synthetic oil the week before, and my clutch was very slightly slipping. Bugger. Dumped the oil out and replaced it with semi synthetic, and i was ready to go again.

Next up was the Desmodue Qually. Did a little better but there was a bit of traffic and I'm still not used to this aggressive overtaking thing. When there's people trying to overtake me I was bottling too easily and just letting them go. I've never ridden like this before - if you pass this close on a TD you'd be chucked out. Qualified 17th out of 27 DD bikes with another moo time of 1.07.32.

At this point I met Zimbo (graeme) and he gave me a few pointers, and we wound off my compression damping 2 clicks. Later in the day I wound it up 1 click as a compromise as I was having a few wiggles from the rear.

Race 1. This was the allcomers race, alot of which were supermotos. Nutjobs. Outbreak you and then slide the rear into a corner making me feel about 2 inches tall! Had a really good dice with Ghost for Ducatisti. Decided to make my move around Gerrards, flat out, ~8,000rpm in top gear at full lean less than a foot away from another bike. Coming up towards Edwinas, who will brake first? Me, I bottled it, but as it turned out Ghost braked too late and went straight on at the corner. I got the place! He overtook me again anyway but shush. Also had a few good battles with Nog. Finished 15th, 3rd Ducati with a time of 1.06.42. Better, but I know I can go alot faster.

Race 2. DesmoDue 1st race. Started 17th on the grid. Lights out, theres 30 bikes heading for the same spot on the first corner. Eep. Lost a few places in the first half of the race, seems to be a trend, I'm no good straight out the box. Got my act together a little bit and was chasing down Nog again. Flag came out for the penultimate lap, and I knew I had to try and get him. The aggression, I'd found it at last. I chased him as hard as I could and got him *just* on the start/finish straight on the last lap. Good race. Finished 13th with a best lap of 1.06.15. I can go faster, I know I can.

Last Race. Desmodue 2. Wasn't too please with this one. Nerves were getting better, but I still sat silent for about 10mins before the start of the race. Quite a few crashes and a few dodgy overtakes, leading to near misses. Locked up the front wheel at the Bus Stop when #3 went down in front of me. Managed to save it by stamping my foot down and carrying on. Was frustrating as I was stuck behind a group of 3 or 4 bikes that I just couldn't get past, but were holding me up slightly. Need to be more aggressive!
Finished 13th again, with a best lap of 1.05.7. Best time yet, but theres still more to come. Interestingly enough, although I finished 13th, my laptime was faster than those who finished 11th, 10th and 9th.

I think this could get expensive...
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You ain't a has been if you never was

[Dom]

Nice one, did you get any pics? Got any more races lined up?
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Photos and that

[garth]

Pictures aren't out yet, but should do soon. Not sure what I'm doing next, nothing entered. I want to learn Cadwell so may do a weekend up there, but unfortunately I'm on my holiday when they're racing there.
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You ain't a has been if you never was

[Deano]

nice one Garth, maybe next time the nerves wont get the better of you and you will concentrate more on the job in hand.

[garth]

Yep lets hope so, stupid nerves! Considering Oulton Park on the 18th now. Hmmm!

when and where is your first Deano?
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You ain't a has been if you never was

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

Good write up, good to see you're enjoying it.
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My Flickr

[Zimbo]

Here you go

https://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i148/zimbo16/DSC01162.jpg

https://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i148/zimbo16/DSC01761.jpg

[D O G]

What was the entry cost for the races?

Sounds quality, and really nice to hear what it is like from a novice perspective - you really got across what you were feeling.

Racing, it's life.

[garth]

Cheers Zimbo... Hey atleast my bib matches my bike!

Cost wise, £120 for the first two races + £25 for the allcomers, so £145 for the day. £10 fuel for the bike, £40 fuel for the car. Around about £200 then ish. Plus £10 to hire the transponder.

I want another go
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You ain't a has been if you never was

[Wave2k]

when are you at Brands ?
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Ducati 1299 Panigale
2009 Corvette C6 z51
RS125->CBR400->RXS100->GSXR750K2->Ducati749S->CBR600RR5->TL1000R->DRz400->RSVR1000->Honda VTR SP1->CBR400->GSXR1000K6->Honda H100->CBR600RR3->Ducati1299

[garth]

There are no DD races at Brands this year, which is a shame as it's my most local circuit. I could be up for a TD there though.

Really debating Oulton on the 18th now, but it's the date I'm supposed to be going on holiday. Have to see if I can shuffle it.
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You ain't a has been if you never was

[Wave2k]

no DD at brands ?, that sucks

Quite fancy a TD at brands though, so if you wanna together thats cool, keep me informed
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Ducati 1299 Panigale
2009 Corvette C6 z51
RS125->CBR400->RXS100->GSXR750K2->Ducati749S->CBR600RR5->TL1000R->DRz400->RSVR1000->Honda VTR SP1->CBR400->GSXR1000K6->Honda H100->CBR600RR3->Ducati1299

[G]

Glad you had fun! Do you get all chicanes, or do they miss out the silly one in Gerads?

I found my first race of the season times were usually a bit slow - then got into it a bit after that, as you get used to this 'competitive' stuff .

[garth]

No silly Gerrards one - that's a flat out corner, i like that one alot.

The times I was racing at I've done on TD's in the past. Know I can do better, it's the aggression I need to work on and being fast Lap 1. Not Lap 5, which is what I do at the moment.

Wave, will do, prob just the Indy though.
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You ain't a has been if you never was

[Wave2k]

Indy is what i want, dont know the GP.

plus its like 100 quid cheaper
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Ducati 1299 Panigale
2009 Corvette C6 z51
RS125->CBR400->RXS100->GSXR750K2->Ducati749S->CBR600RR5->TL1000R->DRz400->RSVR1000->Honda VTR SP1->CBR400->GSXR1000K6->Honda H100->CBR600RR3->Ducati1299

[garth]

Photos are now up https://www.pljphoto.com/vieworg.asp?Org=New+Era

Plus this one from ducatisti.

https://www.ducatisti.co.uk/gallery/watermark.php?file=7389&size=1
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[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

Nice shots, ducatisti image not showing at all.
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My Flickr

[garth]

Ah probably because I'm registered. Will upload it.

https://www.bikechatforums.com/files/151.jpg
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You ain't a has been if you never was

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

Nice, and it's not showing because you're not referencing the raw image.

Your link doesn't end in .jpg or whatever.

You're referencing a page that has the image on it.(I guess I pop up window).

[/geek]
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My Flickr

[Bishbash]

Nice write up Garth, I was excited for you reading it. Hope to hear from you next time that you finish in the top ten. So good luck!
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My current bikes are - YZF-R1 & GS 500 E

Trackday videos - https://www.youtube.com/user/bishbash13

[garth]

Okay last time I'll bump this I promise...

Just found this picture and me likey.

https://www.bikechatforums.com/files/mini-img_3034.jpg

Plus I just spent the night in hospital after coming off me mz... I needed cheering up!
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You ain't a has been if you never was

[Bishbash]

Those bikes look so little, but cool looking shot there. Good technique.

Everything OK after the off?
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My current bikes are - YZF-R1 & GS 500 E

Trackday videos - https://www.youtube.com/user/bishbash13

[garth]

Edit -

The bikes are /fairly/ small but I am 6'1" - 2" ish.

Internal bruising to my kidney and liver, with some extra added fluid! Also got a mother of a bruise coming up on my hip, RH leg and LH shoulder. Quite sore and it's quite difficult to walk but I'll be ok.
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You ain't a has been if you never was