2012 Race Reports

2012 RACE REPORTS: 
Aprilia RRV450 GP & DOODSON SUPERTWINS

MALLORY PARK FINALE RACE REPORT

And the time has come, the final round of the season held at Mallory park. Everything was to play for as I was sitting third place in the Aprilia RRV450GP championship, three points from Second place Tom Oliver and seventy points ahead of fourth place David Allingham. And in the Doodson Supertwins I was in third place two points ahead of fourth place Will Hodgson. An exciting weekend up ahead and I was ready to take on the pressures and challenges I faced.

Friday testing went well; I was feeling very positive and confident that I had found a good set up for the weekend. Qualifying didn’t go as well as I had hoped with a fifth and a sixth in each class but I knew in the back of my head I can come back from it as I do on a regular occasions and the position on the grid isn’t bad as it is on the outside of the track for turn one.

Waking up to a wet race track on the Saturday morning I was ready to get on with the tricky track conditions and I kicked of the weekend with a good result in race 1 with a second place in the Doodson Supertwins behind Callan Cooper. I felt very strong in the race and I was looking forward to more.

Race 1 of the Aprilia Challenge also started off well with a third place in very tricky track conditions as the track had pretty much completely dried out while everyone opted for wet tyres. I was pleased with my race result and I finished on the right side of Oliver to bring me level with him in the Championship standings.

Doodson Supertwins Race 2 got off to a great start sitting in fourth place, with the leaders pulling away I was left to fight it out with fifth place Ross Twyman, but unfortunately on the sixth lap I took a fall at the chicane which also forced Ross to take immediate action and crashed whilst avoiding me. I felt sorry for Ross but that is racing and I am grateful he was able to avoid me.

After the crash in the Supertwins race I was raring to go but I could not completely block out the crash in my head as I was not 100% sure how I crashed but we got underway. Unfortunately I was not quite able to hang on to the front group of four so I crossed the line in fifth position. I was happy with how I rode towards the end of the race and I couldn’t wait for the next day.

During Saturday evening I was chuffed to work out that I had secured a top three position in the Aprilia RRV450GP championship as a minimum. A goal I had set myself from the start of the season. Now I had set my sights on second in the championship.

Sunday got underway with a wet warm up but that soon dried out and a dry Doodson race 1 was on the cards. Setting my fast ever lap time round Mallory park in this race I finished third in class and fourth overall.

Unfortunately in the next two races I felt I did not ride to the best of my ability, I do not know why this was and it got my head down a bit as I knew I could do better, my results were still not bad but I just felt I did not ride like I knew I could, crossing the line in seventh place in the Doodson Supertwins and fifth in the Aprilia Challenge. I was determined to complete my last ever race on the beautiful Aprilia RRV450GP race bike on a high.

Taking a fourth place in my last ever RRV450 race after having to close a massive gap due to me running on at the Edwina chicane on the first lap, I was able to get on to the tail of the leaders but unfortunately by the time the final lap came around I ran out of time to do any more but I was proud of how I rode and I learnt a lot throughout this race as I went out and did my thing and didn’t think about anyone or anything else. A good result and one I am very happy with.

Due to Tom Oliver taking a big tumble I was able to take advantage of the points he missed out and I was able to take second in the Aprilia RRV450GP challenge championship standing and also in the Doodson Supertwins Will Hodgson took a fall so I was able to make the most of the points I lost out on from the Saturday taking third in that championship. I am very very proud of what I have achieved over the season. Second and third are both fantastic results and I just can‘t express how pleased I am with these.

I may sound like a cracked record to some and I appreciate that I thank key members often. But I want to thank Ian Newton one more time for without him and Dave Stewart I would not have sat on my Aprilia RRV450 last year, and not had the opportunity to share the RRV experience and importantly learn how to race with a grid full of hot talent. This has developed me beyond all measure. I would like to wish all the lads well in the RRV’s for the 2013 season and to everyone else who has moved on!

Next season I will be moving class within Thundersport GB to the RLR Sportsman Elite 600 championship. I am very excited for this switch made even more so by having secured a Yamaha R6 to compete on. I am really looking forward to the challenges we face next season. 

CADWELL PARK RACE REPORT

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.

ANGLESEY RACE REPORT 

Hi all, I hope you are all set for my next addition of my racing adventures. This time we headed north west of the United Kingdom crossing the border in to the picturesque Anglesey Race track. A fantastic circuit and one my family look forward to every year due to its stunning views and grippy technical nature of the circuit. This round was to be of a different format to any other race meeting due to church days and the bank holiday weekend forcing the organisers to cut the testing down to three twenty minute sessions and qualify on the Saturday afternoon after testing is complete. This is how it went for me.

Surprisingly the paddock woke to a sunny island, as it is famously known to have its own weather forecast… Rain. A slightly damp track in the morning but that didn’t stop us putting the dry tyres in and getting on with it. Unfortunately my day didn’t get off to the best starts having been hampered with bike technical problems from lap one. This affected the whole morning and due to these problems I was not able to turn a wheel in testing. This was obviously a big setback, but I was ready for the challenge I was looking forward to take on  the following qualifying sessions.

Supertwins qualifying went well as I was really happy with how I rode, I was still only in 21^st position and two and a half seconds of the pace and still on old tyres but after a few changes of the suspension I was ready to rock and roll for the Aprilia RRV450GP qualifying putting it P5 on the grid only 7 tenths of pole position time. A fabulous result and one I was very proud of considering the amount of time I had on track, and only enough time to fit a new rear tyre. Now I couldn’t wait for the races to come.

Supertwins race 1, and what a challenge this was to be. I got my head down and started picking of riders as I went along managing to work my way in to eighth position keeping the leaders in my sight. I was very pleased with my performance and I couldn’t wait to get in the mix with the front-runners in the 450 race.

The first RRV450GP race of the weekend got underway and what a cracker this was. Swapping positions left right and centre with Will Hodgson, Callan Cooper, Ross Twyman and Harry Coomber. I felt very strong throughout the race setting a lap time that was 3 tenths of a second faster than anyone else on the circuit and 1 tenth of a second of the lap record, but unfortunately I couldn’t capitalise on this confidence losing out and dropping from first to 4^th on the last lap, I have often mentioned the racing is close. I was a bit gutted with this result but unfortunately you can’t have it all your way. I was incredibly happy with my performance and how I rode which is what really matters. Role on race 2.

Race 2 of the Supertwins championship unfortunately didn’t go to plan. With a long delay before the start of the race this forced my tyres to go stone cold and with a new rear tyre on this didn’t do my confidence any favours dictating I wait a little while longer before I started to work my way through the field. I was still able to force my way in to twelfth, which I was very happy with.

The race I was looking forward to, RRV race two. Gaining a good start I saw myself in second place and looking to take the lead on the second lap. I set my self to take the position on the brakes but as soon as I started to break I found myself not able to brake as hard as I knew I could and then all of a sudden the braking force kicked in, this sent me out wide and dropping me back in to 4^th place. During the same lap I came round to the penultimate corner at max lean and my bike just drifted away from me and I slid off to the side of the track bringing my race to a premature halt. Startled as to what had happened I got the bike back to the awning to find traces of oil over the right side of my bike. This was very devastating because in two seasons I have never experienced bike problems and I am proud of the work I undertake between meetings to ensure this does not happen to my beloved RRV. This explained a few of the incidents that had happened during my short time on the circuit during that race. Not the best way for day 1 to end but I was ready for the next days racing with a good grid position in both championships due to the mega laps system I was starting from fourth place and front row in both championships, and I couldn’t wait to improve my performance.

Unfortunately after a sleepless night of listening to the awning want to fly off in to the sea and torrential rain the following days race action was cancelled. This was very disappointing to all the competitors and race officials but it was the right decision to take due to safety being a primary concern of a race weekend.

Not my dream weekend I  must admit, but still one I am very proud of as I felt I handled my disappointment well and rode brilliantly to my own standards.

ROCKINGHAM RACE REPORT

Hi everyone, round six of the nine round championships got underway at the Rockingham International Circuit in Northamptonshire. And what a blinding weekend it was with highs all the way through the weekend. Here is how it went for me.

Qualifying kicked off with two solid grid positions placing me in fourth for the RRV450GP championship and fifth place in the Supertwins championship. A good start to the weekend and I was looking forward to getting the racing underway.

Race 1 in the Supertwins championship and I didn’t start off the best when the lights went out dropping down to seventh and losing touch with the leading pack. I managed to break my way back in to fifth and started to get my head down clawing 4^th place back on the final lap of the eight lap race putting me in 3 place within the Supertwins class. A great race and my confidence were high for the first RRV race of the weekend ahead.

Aprilia RRV450GP race 1, receiving a good start I sat in 3^rd right on the tales of the leaders, trying to make ground early on in the race, I made a few attempts to break my way in to the lead with a few of these attempts failing I eventually managed to make it stick and took the lead. Unfortunately I was not able to break away from the following riders so a real fight was on my hands but I rose to the challenge and held my ground taking the first RRV race win of the weekend. A brilliant result and one I was very proud of because I was really pleased with my race management and strategy.

After a great result like that I had to get quickly back to ‘the here and now’, as I still had another two races to fight for.

The second race of the Supertwins championship did not go as planned but I was still happy with what I achieved. Encountering a battle from the hard fought Will Hodgson, neither of us was willing to give in for a space and myself coming of worst and having to take evasive action and go straight on through a run off section of track. Although this diversion cost me many places I was still able to take home another podium in my class thankfully, as points are need for the championship standings.

The second RRV race got underway with a fantastic battle between four of my main rivals. Swapping positions lap after lap corner after corner, unfortunately this gave Callan Cooper room to make a break and leave the field battling for the runner up spots on the rostrum. Fortunately I was able to get the best of the battle crossing the chequered flag in second position. Although I was a bit gutted Cooper managed to make a break and also with my bad start, however I was still pleased and couldn’t wait for the following day to get under way.

Due to an unusually high demand for tyres, Bridgestone ran out which presented a new challenge for me and I had to manage race pace on worn rubber. I was up for it to see how my pace would be affected on old race tyres.

Sunday started of quite cold in comparison to the previous day’s gorgeous sunshine, this reduced grip levels and after a red flag In the first Supertwins race of the day due to a crash, my tyres went very cold which pushed my confidence level and I was very cautious on the first few laps. I lost out on a lot of places but I was able to come back just missing out on the podium. A sensible ride to finish and earn valuable points.

Race one, of the RRV’s went well, after another poor start I dropping me back and a gap emerged between myself and 3^rd placed Tom Oliver. I gritted my teeth and made a late hard charge and I was able to take 3rd place after a hard manoeuvre on Oliver at the final chicane to give me another podium of the weekend. A great result for me.

Race two of the Supertwins this time I gained a good start for once, maintaining my position however I dropped back a tad after being caught napping in the early stages of the race but once I woke up at the mid-way stage I got back in to second and I was able to hold off the rest of the field until the chequered flag.

The last race of the weekend for the RRV450GP’s, gaining a good start I bumped my way in to third and I hung on to the Cooper and Coomber duo, but this didn’t last for long whilst struggling to find the grip to hold the pace. I pushed as hard as I could for as long as I could but I couldn’t drive out of the corners as I would do normally, and could not stay with the front two. I was happy with how I rode and my performance, I found it a shame I couldn’t hang on the front two but I did my best as all ways, and my rear tyre was truly shot by the end of the day.

Another great weekend to add to my brilliant season thus far and I would like to say a massive thank you to my new fan club formed by the young children on top of the garages who cheered me on all weekend. I was informed of how much support they showed. It is great to have people like that within the paddock as all racers need as much support as they can get and I am glad I can give them good results back.

SNETTERTON PARK RACE REPORT

Hi everyone, here I am again writing another race report on my latest racing adventure. Snetterton; known for its long high speed straight.

Friday test day got underway with mixed weather conditions, tired of changing wheels from wet to dry tyres and back, by the end of the day I didn't feel I was totally prepared for the races.Unfortunately that is how things can feel from time to time and I just had to keep reminding myself that I was not the only one experiencing the changeable track conditions. 

Unfortunately like the previous round I selected the wrong gearing which became a big hindrance during the qualifying sessions held on the Saturday morning. This determined seventh place on the grid in Doodson Supertwins and eighth in the Aprilia RRV450GP championship. I stayed calm as I reminded myself of what I had achieved at Oulton Park from a lowly grid position.

Doodson Supertwins Race one, I experienced a great start and I was able to capitalize and push myself into the lead by the midway point of the race until I made a mistake on the back section of the circuit, sending me off the track and forcing me to work my way back up the field taking home a sixth place finish. This was a good result as I was the fastest 450 rider on the grid, a good confidence booster for the first 450 race.

Unfortunately the Aprillia RRV450GP Race one didn't go to plan as I collided with Ross Twyman, due to a mistake firmly instigated by me, and me only. Our collision unfortunately snapped my clutch lever off forcing me to retire on the side of the barrier. 

This mistake really upset me and left me feeling down because I cannot afford DNF’s in this series if I want to maintain my progress at the top end of the championship table. And crashing on the first turn could also lead to injury, and Ross was just the innocent party in all of this. After some scrappy races I then finished seventh in the Doodson Supertwins, second race and fifth in the Aprilia Challenge second outing. All in all this was not an easy day and we felt a little low that evening. 

Although these were not the kind of results I had hoped, let’s be honest achieving podiums every race in this competition is stuff of dreams! If this is what I class as a bad day then it can't be all bad can it? Something still had to change the next day, an early night and a positive approach was required.

Sunday greeted us with heavy rain and sodden track, but I was up and ready for the challenge. With help of my team and friends we felt good for Doodson Supertwins race one on TV day. Off the start I was able to maintain my position which is where I sat until everyone had calmed down, I then went on and made my attack picking off one rider at a time until I had two in front on the last lap. I was able to sneak my way up the inside of second place around the newly reshaped Coram curve and that is how I crossed the finish line. A second place across the stripe and first place in my class 650 open. That's better! 

Race one, Aprilia challenge, a quickly drying track whilst racing on wet tyres, lovely! I started the race off in exactly the same way as the previous Supertwins race biding my time. I started my attack on the second lap and worked my way into the lead. I started to put the hammer down and managed to break the field of riders behind, Brilliant! Another error on my part into the low speed hairpin saw me lose the front and I crashed out of the lead with only two laps to the finish line. Although I made this mistake I did not let it get to me, and I carried on as usual. I was really happy with how I rode in this race as I had a really good feeling for the bike and I felt extremely confident. The main thing I took out of the situation was that I knew why the mistake was made. 

Race two in the Doodson Supertwins, saw me struggle due to the amount of back markers we approached and lapped throughout the race, and on a few occasions I lost my rhythm. I still bought it home in a respectable 5th place. 

I was feeling good for the final Aprilia RRV450GP Race. Race two got under way. On the first lap I settled down and set my pace holding my position off the line. I then worked on making way through the field and set my sights on Callan Cooper who made a big attempt to break from the following pack. Tom Oliver joined me in our attempt to close down the gap Cooper had made. Once the gap had been closed it became a three way dice to the finish line, with lead changing many times. Eventually after a last gasp last corner move to dive up the inside of Tom Oliver I managed to cross the line in close second behind Callan Cooper. A brilliant result and a great race, one I was very proud of. Although I didn't win the race I was very pleased with my strategy and I felt I could hold my head up high, as I did my best and I gave my all to win the race.

Another massive learning curve experienced this weekend and I am enjoying the whole experience of the Aprilia Challenge. Over the course of the weekend Ian Newton (founder of the Aprilia Challenge) and I were having a laugh about how slow I was on the Aprilia 125 in the Superteen series back in 2008, and it makes me smile every time I remember that I was not able to keep up with the grid on the warm up lap. Great memories!

OULTON PARK RACE REPORT

Hi all, it is that time again for another update on my racing adventures. I hope you enjoy the read as this round was possibly my best one yet. Two days packed with many highs and a few lows, this is my story.

Round 4 of the Aprilia RRV450GP and Doodson Supertwins championships were held at the picturesque Oulton park in Cheshire known for its rapidly steep cambering and daring corners, a very technical circuit indeed. The sun was beaming strongly all the way through the weekend making for perfect racing conditions.

Friday testing got under way, and as Oulton Park is a short two day event Thundersport GB were only able to squeeze in three twenty minute sessions per championship, this doesn't leave much time to nail down the challenges of this circuit, but hey, it is the same for everyone. We got under way but not quite the way I had planned. Two laps into the first session my clutch cable popped out forcing me to pit, but thankfully Chris Tagg was at hand to sort it out for me and get me back on track for the final 5 minutes. With little luck in the second session I tipped off in the closing stages of the session due to oil that had been dropped and un noticed until three riders fell on it including me. The final session I managed to have a clean one, prior to heading into Qualifying sessions, which also definitely didn't go the way I had planned.

In the Doodson Supertwins I qualified in 9th place and in the RRV450GP I qualified 12th, in both instances some 3.5 seconds off the pace. I have shown that this year I can run with the best and even have a lap record to my name at Donington Park. Struggling to find the cause of my problem we made a few changes during Friday night, including a new clutch pack which Ian Newton kindly helped me to fit. With a new gear ratio also to test in the morning warm up sessions the following day. It was disappointing to find that we still lacked pace. It is not a nice feeling and confusing when you feel you are pushing as hard as I always do.

Race one, Doodson Supertwins approached and with still no answers to why I was struggling, we then made use of a calculator to fathom the gearing ratio’s and made a further change, which was heavily persuaded by Chris Moore my suspension expert. It sure didn't let me down, gaining a great start I bumped and barged through the grid into 6th place and sat behind Will Hodgson, who was setting a good pace and we closed in on 3rd and 4th positions. I then managed to make my moves and forced my way in to 3rd place and maintained it to the finish line, after a very hairy last lap with Will who did not wish to give up a potential podium position. To my surprise we had gone from three seconds adrift of pole position to being awarded the Supertwins Lap record in the race. A big sigh of relief for my dad and I, we had now found the pace that I always knew I could run.

Race one of the RRV450GP, I think is possibly the best I had ever ridden. A strong start and forceful first few laps saw me up in to third place and on the tail of the front two riders. Tom Oliver was leading and set a very good pace which enabled the Top three to break away from the following pack. I momentarily took second from Callan Cooper, who reacted straight away and passed me again, before putting the hammer down even more and upping the pace. I started to make mistakes midway through the race, but I told myself to calm down and get into a rhythm. I then passed Oliver on the penultimate lap and put in my best effort to hunt down Cooper. At the final corner of the final lap I passed Cooper around the outside to take the lead and I maintained it across the line. My first ever RRV450GP win and my favourite win that I have experienced. I was so happy with my performance, the way I managed my race and how I took the win. And not only that I also took the RRV450GP lap record on the final lap. Perfect!

The Second Doodson Supertwins race saw me again finish across the line in third place after an epic battle between, Will Hodgson, Joe Ravenscroft and myself. Great close racing!

Unfortunately my second RRV450GP race was taken to a premature halt on the first lap as I tipped off on the first lap due to losing my focus for a split second, which ended up in me making a silly mistake. This crash did not do me any favours as this race was worth double points, but I really can't grumble as it turned out to be one amazing weekend, and I didn’t lose any positions in the championship table.

After this race weekend I am still third place within the Aprilia RRV450GP championship and I am currently leading the Doodson Supertwins championship. I am really proud of myself, and what I have achieved so far this season. and I look to continue my progress as the season continues. I learnt a lot about myself this weekend as it was very much two days of character building. Chris, dad and I just calmly got on with the job of finding three seconds in perfect harmony! Dad, I know my racing comes before your own; thanks, and sorry for the lightning fast rear shock removal between warm up’s to alter the ride height, it did not work out, but you have to try don’t you?

I hope you have enjoyed my race report and it has motivated you to want to get a feel for the passion we all have in the racing paddock by coming along to my next round held at Snetterton on the 22nd-24th of June.

I would just like to say a massive thank you to everyone who get’s me out racing every race weekend and for their support. I wouldn’t be able to do it without you. Its amazing what people are willing to do to try and make someone elses dreams happen.

MALLORY PARK RACE REPORT

Hi all, I hope you are ready for my third race report of the season and what a cracker this one is to say the least, some hard close racing and some brilliant results. I will not give too much away as I will let you find out during the course of the report. I hope you enjoy the read, and feel the passion I have for my motorcycle racing.

This time round we headed off to the prestigious Mallory Park circuit, a famously known track for its fast sweeping first right handed turn, Gerrads, this is not a corner to get wrong as many have found out, just ask my Dad. The forecast for the weekend was heavy showers all the way through but with a surprise beam of sunshine beating down on the Leicestershire circuit in the morning on Friday test day, we got under way with our program. Friday test day went well, however I did take a tumble in the third session of the day whilst testing a new set up. Then rain come in to play but I still felt prepared for Saturday’s morning qualifiers. Yet again I was competing in two classes, Aprilia RRV450GP and the Doodson Supertwins.

Saturday morning also managed to stay clear determining a dry track just in time before my first session of the day. Qualifying went well for me in both classes taking 3rd in the Supertwins and 4th in the Aprilia RRV championship with two tenths covering the top five in the RRV championship, and both front row starts.

A dry Doodson Supertwins race one got underway, and what a battle it was, but unfortunately no one could fend of young Josh Daley who was not taking no for an answer, I managed to shake off the rest of the field consisting of David Allingham, Tom Olliver and Callan Cooper to cross the line in 2nd place. The Pace was very fast and yet there was still more to come in our lap times.

Unfortunately the heavens opened shortly before the first RRV race of the weekend forcing the rest of the day to be called under wet race rules. Race one of the RRV’s and I was disappointed with myself, as I received a poor start dropping me way back in the field, fortunately I was able to claw back in to fifth position but I was just not able to close the distance between myself and the leading pack, whilst battling at close quarters.

Race 2 of the Doodson Supertwins, having worked on my starts and this time I held my position but I was unable to find the Grip and feel that the leading 3 were able to find in the tricky wet racing conditions. I held my position for the rest of the race to eventually cross the line in fourth place. Still a consistent result.

After debriefing with my team we decided to opt on a new wet set up for the final race of the day. And boy what a difference it made for the final RRV450GP race. Bagging a good start saw me in second place behind David Allingham on a drastically drying track. Lots of close hard racing and a few near crash moments were experienced on the closing laps I lost touch with the leading group dropping me back in to 4th place. I kept my head down and I was able to bridge the gap slightly but it wasn’t quite enough. I was happy with my performance in that race, and it put me in the right state of mind for the next day.

Yet again the sun came out to play on the Sunday morning, drying the track just in time for the first race of the day. Having practiced a few new lines in specific areas of the track during morning warm up, I was feeling really confident for the day ahead.

Race 3 of the Doodson Supertwins was a similar story to the first race on the Saturday but this time I got my first chance to lead a race, doing so for 3 laps, it was an epic battle between myself, Tom Oliver and Josh Daley, managing to drop down in to 55 second lap times, half a second shy of last year’s lap times. Still not able to hold of Josh Daley I managed to cross the line in second place just ahead of Tom Oliver by one thousandth of a second. Some epic racing with many close shoulder rubbing, encounters and green paint left on my right shoulder from the inside of raised hairpin painted slabs. It was great fun and hoped for much more of that to come.

Race three, Aprilia RRV450GP got underway in wet conditions and another great battle commenced. I sat in second place for the majority of the race as Harry Coomber had edged away with his ferociously fast wet pace until a hard Charging David Allingham come from last place to 3rd forcing me to put a fight for second, bumping and barging our way I was able to maintain my 2nd place across the line. This race was so much fun and I just wanted more of it.

Race four in the Doodson Supertwins is possibly my favourite race of the weekend. I worked my way in to second place after a bit of a tussle with Tom Oliver and Callan Cooper and that is where I sat for the remainder of the race up until the last lap. David Allingham was leading and I felt very confident, as I had worked a plan in my head. Knowing I was stronger than David in a certain section of the track. I was feeling very good. I waited for the last lap flag to appear and I made my move, going round the outside of David at the very fast first turn to take the lead onto the back straight, I then took a defensive line around the rest of the circuit fending David off, and I was able to cross the finish line in the lead and took my first overall win by one hundredth of a second. This is an amazing and a great feeling to have experienced. That was the race craft I have been lacking and I had started to learn. Now I was just hoping I could transform that in to my maiden RRV450GP win with one race to go of the day.

The RRV450GP’s final race of the weekend and it was my last chance of the weekend to make it really count. To be honest I do not have any real recollection of this race as so much happened throughout the race I really don’t know where to begin, yet again, I really cannot put in to words how manic this race was, It was insane and it felt like I was not able to keep the same position for no longer than half a lap. All I do know is that there was one man no one could beat all weekend, which was Harry Coomber, taking his fourth win of the weekend with me in Second and David in third place.

I apologise that I cannot go in to further depth about this race, but a regular race in the RRV450GP championship is always a dogfight such is the level of competition in this class. All I can say is watch the races on TV or on line; you do not want to miss them. I hope you have enjoyed the read and I have wetted your appetite to come and join the team and I at the next round of the Thundersport GB calendar at Oulton Park in Cheshire on the 25th and the 26th of May.

This was another amazing race weekend for me, like the previous years I absolutely love my racing this season, and I am learning every time I swing my leg over the bike, and I cannot keep the smile of my face. I am now currently lying 3rd in both championships, which I am over the moon about and I hope to keep progressing throughout the season. I would just like to say a massive thank you to everyone who get’s me out racing and for their support. I wouldn’t be able to do it without you.

DONINGTON PARK RACE REPORT

Hi all, it has been a little while since I have been in touch with you, which means I have a lot to talk about. I have only had one race meeting in between this report and my previous write up from Brands Hatch and what a fantastic report it is going to be for me to write. This time we attended the fast flowing circuit of Donington Park, famously known for its daunting features of Craner Curves. I attended the round full of confidence with a good feeling I could do a good job.

In addition to this race weekend I also competed in the Doodson Supertwins race series along with my regular championship, Aprilia RRV450GP. The thought process behind this is to gain me much more track time and to give me more race experience. This obviously meant I was going to be a very busy boy over the course of one weekend. With 1 test day, 2 qualifying sessions and 8 races, I knew I had my work cut out and my fitness levels were to be tested, but I was ready for the challenge.

Testing went very well for me and yet again I was riding around with a smile beaming from ear to ear. I was so happy with the way the RSR motosport Aprilia RRV450 was working and I was loving every lap I got to ride. And this fortunately reflected in my qualifying results the following day.

Yet again for the second time this season, waking up to thick fog plaguing the Derbyshire circuit is not the most assuring sight you want to be seeing when you know you will be facing the sheer drop of Craner curves at full chat. A scary thought and one which is sure to unsettle the nerves. A good call by Dave Stewart of Thundersport GB delayed the event until the visibility levels brightened. Unfortunately the fog did not scarper to quickly sticking around for the majority of the morning forcing the Organisers of event to cut the race schedule to one race per championship.

Qualifying eventually got under way and first up was Supertwins. Sitting in P1 for the majority of the session until the penultimate lap when one of my competitors used my tow to leap frog me up the standings dropping me to second and then on the very final lap Steve Tomes, a very experienced rider also piped me leaving me in third on the grid. A good result set me up very well for the RRV450GP qualifying. I was feeling very good throughout my second qualifying session of the day and I felt I got faster and faster as time progressed positioning me on pole by 1 tenth of a second to Callum cooper, brilliant result and one I was very proud of.

Race 1 was the Doodson Supertwins, using this class to give myself more track time I set myself in third not far from the top two and that is where I remained for the rest of the following laps until the last lap as I worked on closing in on the front two for the whole race I passed Josh Daley at the penultimate corner and finished across the line in 2nd place. Ecstatic with my result I was just hoping I could translate that finish in to my own championship race.

Race 1 of the Aprilia RRV450GP I had a bad start dropping me back to 4th place on the first lap and that is where I stayed for the remainder that lap until I took a peculiar line on the start of lap 2 using half the length of the start finish straights grass, which is obviously not the ideal line to take for a fast lap time. Dropping back to Seventh and knowing I had a lot of work to do I got my head down and started to pick of places mean while setting the fastest lap time of the race which also happened to be lap record. I finally finished in third place and that was a fantastic result for me and one I am very proud of and not only was I presented with my trophy I was also awarded rider of the day and I was presented with a £100 voucher at A&R racing. I was so chuffed with my award i couldn't stop smiling, and I still can't take the smile away writing this report. But there was more still to come and the racing gets better.

Race 2, Doodson Supertwins was another race between myself, Josh Daley and Callum Cooper, whilst Steve tomes disappeared in to the distance. I managed to finish 3rd, losing the race to Callum cooper. Still a good result.

Race 2 for the RRV’s was another 3 way fight between, Callum Cooper, Tom Oliver and I. Drifting between second and third for the whole of the race I was able to position myself in second behind Cooper for the final lap. Stalking Cooper and mounting the pressure on I tried put a pass on him at the penultimate corner but I was not able to break my way through losing the front at the same time, managing to save it I tried for another way through at the final corner but Callum was to strong losing the race by nine hundredths of a second. I was still over the moon with my result and couldn't wait to get back out there.

Race 3 Doodson Supertwins was a tamer race of the previous and what was to come with Steve tomes breaking away in the lead, managing to maintain the gap I sat in 2nd and broke away from the following pack crossing the line in second place. Another solid result and a good confidence boost for the last RRV450 race of the weekend.

Race 3, and what a battle it was. This is the race I have been waiting to report about. Not receiving the best of starts in the world, I tipped in to the first corner only to be pushed of track by another competitor, so there I was trying to get back on to the track in dead last. A dog fight here it was, chasing down and frantically pushing my way through the pack trying to get back in touch with the leaders, which had fortunately been a freight train off 11 riders all racing for the top spot. I forcefully pushed my way through the pack and I managed to place the RSR motosport RRV450 3rd on the podium. Not only did I manage to get a podium spot I also broke the lap record 2 times with in the race. I really cannot put in to words how manic that race was so all I say is to watch the TV coverage. My words really don't put it in to perspective how crazy that race was as I have forgotten a lot of what happened as there was too much to take in throughout the race. It was carnage at a ferociously fast pace all the way through the grid.

This was an amazing race weekend for me and I have not been able to stop thinking about it since. I am now currently lying 4th in the championship which I am happy about and I hope to keep progressing up the standings throughout the season. Thank you for reading my report, I hope you all enjoyed it and shared the excitement with me. I would just like to say a massive thank you to everyone who got me here and everyone for their support. I wouldn’t of been able to do it with out you.

BRANDS HATCH RACE REPORT

Hi everyone and welcome to my first race report of the 2012 racing season. The first race of the season was held at the prestigious tight twisty brands hatch. And what a fantastic first round opener it was to the RRV450GP championship. I have plenty to talk about so I best get on and fill you all in.

Waking up on the Friday morning to a thick foggy Brands Hatch is never the sight you want to see when you are about to tear it up on the hilly circuit. As the fog lifted myself and my suspension technician got underway with developments to the bike and what a day it was. By the end of it I was feeling so happy and comfortable in the dry conditions I could not dismiss the grin of my face, the best I had ever felt on a motorcycle. And there were still improvements to be made.

Moments before qualifying commenced the heavens opened, a quick tyre change and a little twiddle with the settings I went out and set the 4th fastest time of the session. A good way to start the weekend in and I knew there was still more to come.

Race 1 got under way, a slow start to the race I picked my pace up as I gained more and more confidence lap after lap. Wobbling around in the tricky wet conditions in 5th place I made progress and chased down the two riders up ahead, on the final lap I was on their tales and an epic last lap dash broke out. I pushed myself in to third place by the time I reached the penultimate corner after possibly my favourite ever overtaking manoeuver. Unfortunately I was not able to hold on to third place with a collision at the final turn with Will Hodgson I dropped down the order to fifth place. Not a bad way to start the weekend of at all.

Race 2, Dry!!!!! Game on, yet again I had a slow start to the race but I soon got in to the swing of things. Having dropped down to sixth place I knew I had my work cut out. Managing to break my way through in two fourth place I put in some solid laps and I fortunately closed in on the front three who had a 2 second gap on me. Once I was in the group all hell broke out and it was survival of the fittest. Positions swapping corner after corner lap after lap and what a buzz it was. I crossed the finish line in 3rd place, my first podium position of the year and I did it in style. Lots learnt from the race and I was just so hyped up I couldn’t wait for more of the same. And not only did that make me happy, as of new rules that have been introduced to 2012, the fastest lap of Saturday’s races gets promoted to Pole position for Sunday’s races and fortunately whilst bridging the gap throughout the race I set the fastest lap time pushing me on pole for the Sunday at my home round.

Race 3, having learnt from Saturdays races I knew I had to start of the race much stronger and faster. The weather had made its mind up for the day turning out to be torrential rain, but this did not alter my strategy and I did what I set out to do taking the lead going in to the first corner on the second lap, I tried to pull the pin and make a break hoping not to get caught up in anyone else’s antics but this obviously proved too much for the tricky riding conditions crashing out at the fastest corner on the circuit. But as you all know, I never do it in normal fashion, completing a 360⁰ spin whilst still sitting on my RRV450, spectacular and should look pretty impressive on the television coverage.

Race 4, after fixing the crash damage as a result of race 3 I went out and did my best for the conditions as by this time temperature levels were at the lowest they have been all weekend and the rain still had not given in. I rode to what my feelings were telling me and I took it home and bagged a 6th place for the final race. Not my ideal race result but I used my head and did what I thought was right so I am happy that I listened to myself and didn’t do anything silly.

A good start to the 2012 season with many highs and positives to take away with me, so I am now looking forward to the next round where I am hoping to carry on my good progress and try to gain some consistency. I cannot wait to get the 2nd round of the season underway held at Donington Park on the 24th and 25th of March. So if anyone is interested in joining myself and my Team at Donington please get in touch. It will be great to see you all.


I would just like to say a massive thank you to all the people who have helped get me to this position in my racing career. I would not have been able to do it without you.