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Sunday, 10th September 2000 - Pembrey Woke up and the sun was shining, a total contrast to yesterday. Had to go through scrutineering for a quick safety check. Wasn't allowed to go out to practise, unless you hadn't practised on the Saturday, or had come off, and then you were allowed to test your bike. A bit unusual, had never come across this before, but it was the same for everyone. The first race of the day, was the last race from Saturday which they'd ran out of time to run because of all the yee-has). It was red flagged that many times because of crashes they abandoned it. Then they bollocked everyone over the tannoy for reckless driving, a good start to the day - not! The race programme was the same as Saturday. My first was Race 4, I was on the 3rd row and Juan was on the 5th. Wasn't a bad start and was up to about 8th and the race was red-flagged - so back to the start for another go. Race was reduced to 4 laps and on the restart was about 5th into "Juan's" Hairpin. Juan passed me at Dibeni Bend on the second lap and dived up the inside of two others at the next bend, I couldn't get past them, tried hard to do so but kept getting the door closed on me. Might have made the move stick if I'd been reckless, but thought better of it. My bike doesn't steer as well as Juan's, his just seems to go the way he points it. Mine however, steers slowly and won't hold a line, something R1's are renowned for. Anyway, finished 6th, 3 seconds down on Juan who got 3rd . Tranter finished ahead of me, but I was quite happy with my placing - more races to go. My next was Race 9, The Clubman of Pembrey, an extra race I'd entered just for Sunday, it was a longer race at 10 laps and thought I might do well in this one after my last two results. Was on the front row for this one as well, but they held us so long on the grid that my digital gauge was reading 109°C, I didn't think it went that far! Got a shit start, the bike just wouldn't pull off the line, made up a couple of places to 6th, then the bike nearly flicked me off after a big slide at Dibeni Bends, which put me right off. I grabbed on that tight, my arms pumped up, someone dived up my inside, pushed me wide and I nearly went on the grass. I lost concentration and lost about 6 places on the next corner, struggled for the rest of the race and finished 12th. Wasn't too happy, I was about 3 seconds a lap slower than I had been doing, I rode like an old woman. Glad I got that stinker out of the way, it would have been a disaster if it had been the ACU Star Race, which was my next one. I'm going to have to get fit if I'm going to do the Manx, I'll have to get on the weights - I'm bloody boy-arms, me. The ACU Star Race was race 13, both Juan and I were on the fourth row. Was in and around the top 10, Juan came past me on the second lap, so I tried to stay with him, was doing so until he made a demon move on two riders at Brooklands, my bike wouldn't have held that tight a line to follow him (not with me on it anyway), I tried to get past the bloke in front at every corner, but he kept blocking me. Managed it with a demon move of my own, on the corner before the Esses and started to get a move on, only trouble is I dragged the two behind with me. Got a couple of decent laps in and ended up 8th. I don't know what the ACU Star position was, but more importantly finished before my rivals Tranter (12th), Atkins (16th) and Cooper who didn't finish. Juan finished 8 seconds ahead of me in 4th. Must be getting faster, because Juan's not as far ahead as he once was. I'm happy that I'm improving, and went and got my 16th signature - not long to go now! Wasn't going to do the last race as it was so hot, took me ½ an hour to stop sweating after I took my leathers off, which you can't wait to do once you've finished racing - bloody hell, it was hot but decided to do it - why not? I'd gone that far. Was on the 7th row for the last race, so I just decided to enjoy myself and not bother about a position. Made up a few places on the start and went around a couple more at "Juan's". Saw Kevin Atkins in my sights, so caught him up and dove up his inside at Dibeni Bend (which was my favourite part). He had to sit up, must have given him a fright, then went after Jason, who was ahead. Went over the Start/Finish line head down, determined to catch him and thought "shite, last lap - it's now or never", he kept looking back and I thought "yeah, I'm coming ya bastard", all the way down the back straight he kept having a look. I was faster than him through the right-hand kink and tried to pass, so he defended his line going into the last corner and kept really tight, on doing so he ran wide on the exit, and I dove up his inside to beat him by a wheel, while giving him the finger and laughing my head off. Toured down the straight and around the Hairpin, he rode over and shook my hand, we lifted our visors and started to have a chat. Tranter passed us with his knee on the deck, unusual I thought on the cooling down lap, as did 4 or 5 others... ...shite the race was still on, anyway had to chase him again, this time passed him going down the back straight at the right-hand kink and finished 14th. Couldn't believe I had got it wrong. Tranter turned around at the finish shaking his head and shuffling his fist as if to say "stupid wanker" - boy, was he right! I'm sure I saw the last lap flag, must've been someone waving a t-shirt or something. Felt aright nobber, but had to laugh about it. Kevin and Jason came over to my van afterwards and we all had a right laugh. A really good end to the day, put a smile on all our faces, if nothing else. I was too busy concentrating, and that close behind him, to have a proper look for the flag - something I'll be doing in the future, for sure! Good job there was nothing on the race, I still smile to myself when I think about it. Packed up, put Juan's bike in my van, as he is doing Jurby with me next weekend, then selling his bike to Dave. Had a shower then drove to Heysham - 6½ hours and 304 miles later (593 in total) we arrived with Graham behind us every inch of the way. So, not too bad a weekend, was getting a little faster the more I was doing it, two signatures, some points, stayed on - roll on Jurby, which is next up. The Donington Park round has been changed from 14th October to the 19th November and Juan's not doing it, so if I go I'll be going on my own. Atkins is good round Donington, so I may have to go to keep my second place in the Championship - I haven't got enough points on him not to. I'll have my snow tyres on for that one... So tune in next time for another very exciting episode of..... Tommy Clucas Racing. Circuit: 1.456 miles |
Copyright © 2000, 2001 Tommy Clucas Racing.
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