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Saturday, 17th June 2000 -
Snetterton Got up for scrutineering at around
8a.m., it was scorching……. about bloody time, no sign of clouds, a good day
hopefully ahead. The place was
packed full of competitors, some money’s worth there I can tell you. Had two
practise sessions, as did Juan, I was doing 1'22 and 1'21 lap times, Juan did
1'18. Tried out my new tyre warmers
before the first race – many thanks to Mr. Mike Richards for donating them.
Top bloke! My first race
was Race 13 in the programme and I was disappointed at being on the 10th
row of the grid. Wherever I finish
in the race would reflect on my grid position in the next race and so on.
So I thought at least I can’t go any further back. I made up a
few places on the start, then got blocked at the first corner which is called
Riches. Made up a few more places
at Sear Corner and down the back straight and outbraked some more into the Esses,
found that my bike wouldn’t really hold a good line going through the Bomb
Hole and Coram Curve which is where I lost ground on the group in front. Anyway, ended up 22nd out of about 40. So not bad
considering it was my first time and there were some MRO boys out there on
slicks on really fast bikes. One
guy I got talking to had spent about 15 grand on his R1, so it’s pretty hard
to compete with that. My best lap
was 1'19.3 so I was getting better, more importantly I was up to the 6th
row on the grid for the next race. More or less
the same happened in this one and I came home 20th, two places better
off. My best lap was 1'19.6 so I
was consistent if nothing else. Juan
was going well, he had his lap time down to a best 1'16.2 and he finished 20th
and 16th in the 600 Supersport class.
The winners in both classes posting just under 1'13.5. My third and
final race of the day was the Ace of Clubs and I was on the 5th row
of the gird this time. Made a right
hash of the last lap but one when I was catching 4 riders in front of me, I
wasn’t aggressive enough, but I will be the more I do it.
I caught my foot on the ground at Riches and that made me lose
concentration and I lost touch with the four in front.
I was pissed off with myself because the previous lap I had caught them
(and could have passed them all at the Esses) so I was going to make the move
stick on this lap, only to catch my foot. So,
some rearsets are needed I think. I
ended up 17th when it could’ve been 13th.
I was still improving, got my lap time down to 1'18.5.
I know I can go faster but I’ll have to make a few modifications to the
bike. Stayed at Snetterton to
change my exhaust while Ann cooked a Barby.
Got a G.R.P. Titanium race can from Mr Richard Hocking at Bikestuff.
01778-346081/0976 692594 anytime. It’s
an Italian can and looks the business, goes and sounds just like the Micron I
had on. Richard is coming to see me
race at Mallory tomorrow, so will have to have the bike nice and shiny. Packed the
van up when I finished and drove to Mallory Park, Juan was already there. It was the early hours when we arrived, so parked next to
Juan’s van and slept in the back again. Was
bloody knackered. Nine signatures so far, if I stay on tomorrow I’ll lose my orange jacket and get upgraded to a Clubman….. yippee, halfway there. Snetterton Circuit, Norwich. Circuit length: 1.952 miles
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Copyright © 2000, 2001 Tommy Clucas Racing.
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