Neave twins
Tim’s had a mega-strong end to a difficult season.
You might have read in my twin brother, Tom’s, column last month about the DTRA Flat Track championship round that we entered – it was a mega event, and great to be back to my racing roots. I shoulda-coulda-woulda won it if I hadn’t of crashed in the ‘final’ race. At least me and Tom showed the regulars we haven’t lost our touch just yet.
The penultimate round of the British Superstock 1000 championship at Donington Park was next and I had my best result of the season there, finishing fifth. Poor Tom didn’t – I think it must have flustered him when I passed him at the start of the race and the red mist got to him – he only managed three corners before throwing it at the scenery. He broke his foot in the crash, but he is back on his feet now (sort of), hobbling around, but he’s in good spirits and waiting for his shoulder MOT next month.
The last round of the season was at Brands Hatch and I was ready to go out on a high. Conditions in FP1 weren’t great, but Steve Hicken from Hawk Suzuki just told me to stop being a girl and get out there and get some laps in. I feel I’ve got a good connection with Steve. I know he knows what he is talking about and I trust him when he gives me advice, so I went back out there, pulled my finger out and ended up fifth. I thought it might have been a bit of a fluke, but FP2 was just as good and I ended up fifth in that, too.
For qualifying we were on wets, but the track was drying and I managed to do a strong lap at the end of the session to put me fourth on the grid. It was all going to plan and I got a really good start in the race and was up to second – but then it was red flagged, which was annoying. When it was restarted I ended up getting into a battle for fourth, which I stayed in until I tucked the front and crashed with a lap-and-a-half to go. I was gutted because I knew I had good pace, and one of the lads in front ran out of fuel, so I could have had a shot at the podium, but I suppose that’s ifs and buts, isn’t it? Whilst it was annoying to crash out of the race, I was actually really happy with the way I was riding, it was the first time in a while I had felt like I could push myself and the bike to the limit. I’ve always said I’d rather crash from trying too hard and being at the pointy end, than running round and finishing the race in 20th position. My uncle Tim kept telling me that he thought I had gone soft, but hopefully my performance at the flat track race and Brands Hatch has put him straight – it’s just a shame it was the last round of the season!
As far as next year goes, I won’t make the same mistake I did this year, riding for a team just because it’s a ‘team’ – the grass isn’t always greener on the other side! I’ve learnt a lot this year about myself and about the BSB paddock, and the beauty of Stock 1000 is that you can actually run a bike out of your own awning, with a few mates to help you out, and do a good job! It’s not all about matching trainers and colour-coordinated fruit bowls. I’ve had a really good group of lads around me for the last three rounds this year. Ben and Fred have stepped up and had my back whilst we have been running the Suzuki.
Next season seems like a long way away right now, but it will be here before we know it, so I’ll be doing my best to get myself ready for the 2020 season. I’d be quite happy on a Gixer again, but then again them new Beemers are quite trick… let’s see what happens!