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Burntwood at Branston (Balls of STEEL?)

I was really looking forward to this week, having a new 250 2 stroke Kwak. I walked the track with my uncle Ad on the morning of the event, the track looked really good but a bit slippy. I couldn't wait to ride it. I went out for practice the bike was great, I really got to grips with it and I felt like it was going to be a good day for my 1st time out on it.

1st race I was 34th gate pick, not good but with Ad telling me (flat out round the outside of the lot of them, don't shut off?) I was in two minds, but I had to do it to holeshot. The gate dropped I had got the holeshot the line had worked really well too, I was happy. I got some good lines together and started to pull away from 2nd the track was really grippy. I enjoyed the race finishing a comfortable 1st place.

2nd race, I didn't get a good start this one slipping up the start straight I was about 30th and had a lot of work to do to win it. I rode hard and picked all the riders off, with the rain coming down it was really slippy, some corners were hard going but I managed to stay on and take the win.

3rd race I had the holeshot but going into the next corner I over shot the bank and it sent me sidewards, by this time I was just a passenger. 2nd placed Mick Allsop had nowhere to go and rammed into the back of me, we both went down hard and few of the other rider rode over us.

I was stuck in the back of my bike by my PRIDE... I was hurting but I knew I had to get back up and get in the points or else I would lose the 1st overall. I got back on the bike by time I got going the pack had gone and I was in a lot of pain so I pulled in, my race was over.

I tied on 1st overall but lost on the tie-break. Walking round like John Wayne for the next few days I think. 2nd over all I was still happy and I really enjoyed it ,despite the last race, but oh well that's how it goes.
Get well soon Mike. As for the new bike its the DOGS! :)

Worfield.  31/8/08

Practice. Another outing on the 2 stroke. with Worfield being a out of group meeting we don’t ride this track much but all the times I have been there I have liked it. so I couldn't wait to ride. The track was really grippy with nice ruts building up! Rain was coming over and I thought it was going to be a wet day.

Race one. The rain had gone over and it was brightening up. The track looked really good! I had the jump out of the gate and I hole-shot the race, it was a clean one too, I was pleased! By the 2nd lap I was starting to pull a really big gap between 2nd place. and I thought I had it in the bag... I was coming up to back markers fast. It was getting hard to pass them. I was glad to see the last lap flag.. half a lap around there was a backmarker rolling round looking for his lost sheep I think. I went to go the inside and he turned there so I went wide and he turned across the front of me taking me off.... rolling down the bank over the bars.

The bike had landed on the other side of the ropes. I couldn't get the bike up but eventually managed to get it up with 2nd and 3rd going past, I knew I wouldn't of won it but getting back on the track on the other side of the ropes and going over the line in 3rd, I pleased to keep in the top 3, until I went to look on the lapvan they had put me in 5th... deducting my points for cheating and thinking I shouldn’t be in the race because I was too fast...? I was a bit gutted! but that was my race over.

Race two. Going to the line all revved up about the 1st race I was a bit aggressive! 3rd out the gate wasn't bad struggling to pass 1st and 2nd I knew I had to pass them. 4 laps in I was in the lead with Russell Lewis right behind me all the race. The last few laps I was getting a bit tired and he was pressuring me. I held him off an won the race. I was happy it was a good race too!

Race three. The track was getting rough now and the rain started to pick up a bit. I hole-shot and was in the lead with a clear lines, it was great but I was making stupid mistakes. Where do you think I was getting all my lines from haha! I was hanging off halfway though, hitting the kickers off the jumps, super man seat-grabs. I rolled the last lap I thinking where’s the finish, I am sure the finisher had moved the last lap... Finishing 1st it was a good day and I took 1st overall in the MX1 Seniors. Worfeild’s Vic (CCM) Middleton and his club members put on a good meeting well done.

My dad enjoyed himself too, riding all three races, just about. Not being able to walk today. He liked the HONDA 2stroke.

Next week Stenson. I hope the rain stops by then or else I will be taking up jet skiing. Dan Eastwood #22
Wolves at Hungry Hill

What a surprise...Rain. but oh well it was mint! Looking at the track on the Sunday morning looked like it was going to be a really hard day riding my Dads 250 2 stroke.

Having a change from the Honda and being out with MX1 Experts I was a bit worried. As we got Wizzer stopped from still watering the track from last meeting, practice started. It was a bit sloppy and hard going but I was enjoying both the bike and the track! I was looking forward for a good day as the rain had stopped.
 
MX1 race 1:The track had dryed up a bit now with a few ruts and good lines. I had a really crap start, I was last but 1 . Passing some fallen riders put me up a couple of places in front by the 3rd lap i was in 1st in the mx1 seniors and 6th in the experts, passing pete brandrick for 5th having a good battle with him and no goggles, it was great! After 15mins I was hanging on the 2smoke Beast! I was glad to see the last lap flag!   1st mx1 senior and 5th expert it was a really good race to get back into it!  
MX1 race 2:  Looking forward to this race after my 1st race wonder! After some people telling me a few tips to get out the gate on the bike I was 3rd out the start I could just see that lovely CLEAN yellow and white Thor gear of Rich Tudors, not for long. I kept  the power on down the hill still in 3rd with 2 riders passing me. A quarter of a lap on put me back into 5th and I maintained my position a rode my heart out. 1st mx1 senior and 5th mx1 expert.
 
MX1 race 3: Having a look round the track after race 2 the track was getting really rough. I had quite a good gate this race, I was 5th out the gate. with Lucian White passing me putting me in to 6th I was having a good battle all the race with him, a sensible race I was really hanging on by last lap but still behind him that was the best race of the day. Just the battle made my day!    Words from Lucian "I knew he was a senior so I wasn't letting him past" 1st mx1 senior and 6th expert.
 
Overall: I really enjoyed the bike, 250 2strokes I think they are coming back! Being our own club meeting every one worked hard all day! 1st overall and 7th overall expert and now I have bragging rights to my uncle. One a the best days I’ve had for a long time. Walking round like John Wayne for a few days and some blisters, it was worth it and I think my dad was pleased too!
 
Thanks Dan Eastwood #22
 
 
 The Classics. Keep checking back for the reports with a few meetings coming up and the bike fixed. Thanks to my Grandad once again for putting lots of effort in to it!
Hawkstone Park Classic Scramble

Hawkstone….on a 1965 BSA Cheney Victor twin shock.... all I can say is, what a experience!

With only 4inches of travel on the back round a track like that it was rough and hard going, but I really enjoyed it. i got there on Sunday morning with practice at 10 and racing starting at half 11, a change from modern, with my Grandad putting loads of work in for this meeting getting the bike back together after the last meeting with the gearbox going.

Practice: I went out for practice and with me not riding the bike all the time, the gears and the back brake are an the opposite side to my normal bike, but I soon got the hang of it and I loved it. I was there for a fun day and bit of experience so no pressure.

Race 1: I couldn't wait for the race after practice being the normal concrete start there, I spun off the gate sideways going into another rider 3 from last wasn't good, with the races only being 4 laps it wasn't much compared to 15mins so I had to pass a few riders. Doing half a lap I got the whoops wrong and went down with the bike following me. I couldn't get the bike going and by time I did it was last lap so that was my race over. A few cuts a bruises but I was ok, being more bothered about the bike, tuck the pain away. No damage done thankfully. Nice chrome tank...  

Race 2: This was a much better race considering bike problems. I was having a good battle with a few riders the track was really rough. I had a half decent start this time passing some riders put me into 8th, a rider passing me back put me into 9th I couldn't get back past him, trying hard. Finishing 9th was better than the 1st race I was happy.

Race 3: ROUGH was the word. I was 7th out the gate passing three riders having a good battle with 4th struggling to hold on. 500cc up Hawkstone Hill, my arms were out of  their sockets by time I got to the top, I loved it. Finishing 5th I was really pleased for my 2nd ever meeting on the bike and I think my Grandad enjoyed it, so I was pleased! Being ex AMCA champ in 1965, giving me a few lines, helping all day and months of work on the bike it was worth it.

Thanks!.
On the comeback trail: Hungry Hill

Despite still waiting for my new brother or sister to be born, Bayley and me made our way to Hungry Hill, our home track, for Wolves second event of the year. The weather had been much better and the track had improved from the terrible IMBA event so I was looking forward to riding, especially as it was my own clubs raceday.

It rained overnight on Saturday and I thought we may be in for a repeat of the IMBA but the track was mint on Sunday morning and I was ready to go racing. My additional duties for the day included doing the 15 second board and marshalling, it was going to be a busy day. Bayley (pic below centre)was the starter for the day and we had a good time and a laugh around the starting area.

Practice was ok, I took it steady and left the gate last. My new drugs for asthma seemed to be working well and my breathing was spot on. I did suffer really badly from arm pump, one of the side effects of the new drugs.

Race One: Second out of the gate, and in the top three for much of the race but the arm pump got the better of me and I had to pull up.

Race Two was much better. I got the hole-shot and was battling with second place for a few laps and got taken which demoted me to second place. My arms were better slightly and I hung on for a second place finish.

The third race saw me second out of the gate. The track had been watered and a few riders were falling around me but I managed to stay upright and held third place for quite a while. I finished sixth, not too disappointed considering the number of races I DNF'd in previous weeks due to my asthma.

Quite a good day overall. I feel I am on the comeback trail with the new asthma treatment really working well. Hobbs Hole next week.