Carl gets out racing, but it’s a sad outing...
So, after conceding we had no bike to race (and moaning as much as possible in true teenager fashion), we were given a last minute lifeline to appear at the first round of the MCE British Superbike Championship at Donington Park, riding the Total Plant Solutions Ducati Panigale 899 in the Ducati Tri-Options Cup. Keith ‘Bugsy’ Jaggard was the splendid chap who gave us the chance to get some more saddle time, after he upgraded (along with most of the field) to the new 959 Panigale. It meant I was really going to have to pull my finger out to get some good results.
Sitting on the bike for the first time when we actually got to the circuit, the initial sessions were always going to be an uphill struggle. Bugsy, who rode the bike last year, is a complete contrast to me for set up. He’s about 6ft 2in tall, 18 stones and is used to riding big old superbikes, meaning my 5ft 7in, 10-stone frame was swamped by the spacious settings and stiffness from the base settings. This meant refining the riding position for my little legs, going softer on the springs and heading out into the unknown. But this weekend is only for fun, right?
Try telling yourself that going into free-practice with a 51-strong grid! As soon as that green light goes you are reminded why you put yourself through so much stress and hard work – it’s bliss in the purest form known to man. Okay, the old Duke still handled like a bit of a pig being muscled around the relentless circuit, due to the sheer stiffness, alongside doing half the session on medium power mode, yet it was still a blast. This meant some big changes for qualifying, adjusting the riding position and softening that suspension off even more before heading out on some fresh rubber.
Squidgy as you like and ready to rock ’n’ roll, we headed out for the qualifying ready to make those times tumble, and they did. After 22 minutes of pissing around in 31st position and a few last minute tweaks (a little less rebound to help over the bumps and some more preload for support), I jumped up eight places on my last lap to finish up in 23rd position. Okay, this was still not ideal, but we knew exactly what we needed for the first outing of 2017, going softer on the front and rear springs even further. Yet, it turned out to be the worst thing in the world.
In reality I don’t have many words for race one. If you haven’t caught up on the weekend, there was an incident where fellow rider Mick Whalley lost his life. It’s not something I ever want to think about, nor write about, and, in all honesty, to experience it was absolutely terrifying. I was incredibly lucky to stay upright on the spilled oil, and it brings everything into a sober reality, so I just want to extend my sincerest condolences to his family and close friends. I also want to send a massive shout out to Mike Honey, who went down hard as well.
After a championship meeting, we all decided to go ahead with race two, and sitting on the grid for our second outing at Donington Park, the atmosphere was indescribable during the minute’s silence for #77. We all went out there as one big family, yet to be honest both races are a bit of a blur when I think back now. I scored a 13th and 14th overall, second in class for both races and a personal best time around one of my least favourite tracks on the calendar. Yet it was still the worst race weekend I’ve ever had.
Here’s to leaving the weekend in the past and getting out at Brands for the next round.