Cadwell Park Rd 8

Round 8 of my racing adventures got under way at the ultra technical Cadwell Park based deep in the Lincolnshire wold's.

This weekend was set to be a very busy one due to the cancellation of the Sunday race day at Anglesey, We had to make up for the races that were missed. So with 10 races over the course of the weekend I knew I had my work cut out. 

Unfortunately I struggled through out the Friday test day searching for a set up that I felt comfortable to push myself around this challenging circuit. Regrettably I was not successful in gaining a great set up but I was able to stick myself on the third row of the grid in both classes. Not exactly my ideal position but I was up for a challenge and I felt good for the racing as I had learnt a little more after a track walk with Chris Moore, my suspension expert. 

Saturday race day did not get of to the best of starts due to a fast and heavy fall on the second lap of my first race of the day possibly due to a cold tyre. Unfortunately the point of circuit I crashed at is known to be a bike wrecker and it sure did live up to its reputation. With only 40 minutes in between my races it was a race against time to get the bike sorted and ready for me to get out for the first RRV race. With some massive help from, my dad, my uncle, Ian Newton, Dave Lewis, Chris Moore, Ian Morton and my Brother the bike was ready to rock in the nick of time. This seriously was an achievement as the bike was a mess. Thank you, and I am pleased to say I was able to pay them back for there help with a 3rd place a great result considering the stress before. 

The next two RRV and Supertwin races went well, unfortunately I was not able to deliver any further podium places back but still was awarded good points to add to the championship.

The next race was a double point race carried over from Anglesey. And this was probably my favourite over the whole weekend. Getting baulked up in a group of riders at the start of the race, Callan Cooper and Tom Oliver made a break, after a few laps I was able to press on and pass the group setting my eyes on Tom Oliver who had a 1.5 second gap on me with only a handful of laps remaining. I pressed on and lost out to Oliver over the line by 1000th of a second. A race I am very proud of, and not only did I close the gap I was also able to break the lap record. A great achievement in my eyes.

Sunday race day didn't get of to the best of starts due to what I can only think was my brain must have still been in bed back in the van. I just didn't have any mojo out on track for the first races of both the RRV and the Supertwins classes, notching a 5th and 6th on the score boards. I was a bit disappointed with that and I set out to make an amends. 

Race two of the Supertwins got under way and the grid soon started to split and I found myself encountering a two-way battle with Will Hodgson. Unfortunately this race didn't last long as we both had a coming together with myself coming of worse and falling off on the grass. This was a racing incident with no hard feelings.

RRV450GP race 2 I was a bit emotional before the start due to a close shave incident at the top of the mountain when I ran out to collect my bike from the middle of the track without thinking of the consequences, after my coming together with Hodgson. I think I scared all the spectators who watched while I danced around a field of bikes, it also scared me. I wasn't in the best of states to go out and race but I had a job to do and I was able to execute it with a brilliant 3rd place. One I was very proud of and I am sorry for scaring those who watched me collecting my bike in the previous race. 

The last and final race of the weekend, a double point Supertwin race from Anglesey. I sat in a great position just off the back of the close knit pack which was swapping and changing lap after lap. I was feeling very strong and I started to make my move and it was then when my exhaust became dislodged due to a broken spring, which forced an early retirement to my race. I was gutted with this but these things happen.

It was a tough weekend, and not only was it for me but pretty much the whole grid. It was full of many highs and lows but I came through and I am now very excited for the final round of the season held at Mallory on the 20th and the 21st of October. 

I would like to dedicate a section of this report to Callan Cooper who has done a fantastic job of wrapping up the 2012 Aprilia RRV450GP championship. He has ridden a brilliant championship, staying consistent all season long and very rarely making a mistake. It’s been a pleasure to race against him and I wish him all the best in his future-racing career. I'm sure our racing paths will cross again sometime in the future.

Also a get well soon to Harry Coomber who took one for the team big style and is now currently recovering from a badly broken leg, hope to see you back out on the bike soon.