Weekend Review, Donington National.
A fantastic weekend at Donington started with 1 lap in practice and no time set after getting up late and not having time to change both the wheels :). Practicing in wet conditions with a dry rear tyre was not ideal and after a few slides I decided to park it.
Qualifying was on a dry track. I got caught up in a gaggle of rookie minitwins and had to slow down to create a gap to put in a time. I completed 1 quick lap before I caught them up but set a time of 1:25 which placed me 17th on the grid.
Race 1 on saturday afternoon was a dry race. My start was aweful, first I hit the rev limiter and then I had a false neutral, twice. I ended up again in a pack of rookie minitwins with no chance to pass them all. I finished the race in 22nd/18th in class. My time now down to a 1:23.8 saw me start the sunday AM race from 19th on the grid.
The first race on sunday was dry again and this time I had a better start and spent the whole race on the back of a group of four riders. On the last lap I managed to pass the last bike in the group with the aid of a back marker and finished in 18th/16th in class, just outside the points. My time now down to a 1:23.5.
I lined up in the 17th grid position for the final race of the weekend. This was my last chance for a good start and a chance of taking some points from Donington this year. This time I got a great launch off the start going into the first corner in 11th position. I tried to stay with the front pack but I just didnt feel like I could turn my bike as quick through the faster corners and quickly started to drop off them. I must of been doing something right though as I managed to pull away from the field behind with the exception of being passed by two faster riders and dropping to 13th/11th in class. My time was now down to a 1:22.2.
The SV ran perfectly all weekend and showed 77hp on the dyno. Hopefully all the previous teething problems are over now and I can concentrate on enjoying racing and not worry about having enough time to rebuild the engine for the next race. 5 points to add to my tally and Brands GP in three weeks to stretch the SVs legs again.
Championship points :40
Vince
Thunderbike Sport
Qualifying Time: 1:25.005
Race 1 Fastest Time: 1:23.871
Race 2 Fastest Time: 1:23.561
Race 3 Fastest Time: 1:22.270
Fastest Thunderbike Sport time this weekend:1:16.810
