|
|
|
|
|
|
Monday, 24th April 2000 Woke up, and guess what? ....it was absolutely pissing down. Drove to Oulton Park and parked next to the scrutineering bay. I was impressed with how everything ran so smoothly, and how much money seemed to be there - big race transporters, etc. and there was six of us and three bikes crammed into the back of a Transit van. Oh, how the other half live! Nine o'clock was first practice. We all flew through scrutineering and all went out together. Couldn't believe it was pissing down again - that's four times I've raced and four times it's rained! I'd noticed that Juan, Graham and myself seemed to be the only riders not running on wets. We crept around for three laps until we were flagged in. We joined the next practice session straight away and did three more laps. It was really slippy and I was concentrating on staying on the bike more than I was trying to learn the course. The weather was so bad that the sidecar race was abandoned after one lap, then they called the Solos. There was a ballot for places on the grid, but I just asked to go to the back and started 41st on the grid. I thought I'd be last out but there was one more behind me. So, there were 42 starters at the flag. What happened next was the least fun I've ever had on a bike. It was absolutely pissing it down, cold and slippy as fuck. Every time I touched the throttle the bloody thing lit up the back end. I just hoped I'd stay on. I was going so slow that if I'd been in the crowd I'd have said "I could go quicker than that muppet". The truth be told, I could have gone round with one hand on the bar, but I was going to finish, no matter what. I duly did, finishing in 20th position. Which doesn't sound too bad, but out of 42 starters only 21 finished! Every time I passed a faller I thought "I'm going to finish in front of you mate. I need to spend my money on suspension, tyres, etc. - not repairs!". By the end of the day the sun came out and the track started to dry up. By the time of the last race, the Open Solos, the track was almost completely dry. Juan had his race-head on so there was no way that Graham or I were going to catch him - he was flying again! So Graham and I just decided to have a laugh. He was behind me all the way, every time I looked round he gave me the finger, and I happily returned the compliment. Neither of us really knew where we were going - it's a completely different track when it's dry. Anyway, we upped our laps by about 20mph per lap and I finished 28th with Graham right behind me in 29th. Juan finished 7th, Christ Almighty!! We packed the van and drove up to Heysham and waited for the boat. Bloody long weekend, I'm knackered... Next race: Jurby Road. My first road meeting, it should suit me better though... I'm never going to be that great on a track - it's a whole different ball game when you're dodging hedges, lamp-posts, etc. I'm quite looking forward to it. Oulton Park, Cheshire. Circuit length: 2.775 miles
|
Copyright © 2000, 2001 Tommy Clucas Racing.
|
