tje racing: 2008

Looking forward to 2009

2009 is just around the corner and i'm really excited about the forthcoming season.

I'll be joining EMRA & THUNDERSPORT GB

------------------

My main aims are different with each club.

-------------------

With EMRA i hope to compete in all 10 rounds (5 meetings) and realistically i can finish top 3 and with the new parts i'm getting on the bike i don't see why i can't even win.

I'm certain i can crack the minute barrier around Mallory and am very confident of winning more silverware.

--------------------

As with Thundersport GB i want to try and compete in as many rounds as possible especially the Donington Park round which is scheduled to be the weekend of the British Grand Prix!!

So will hopefully get to meet some of the best riders in the world.

Also i want to gain as much television coverage as possible, Thundersport GB is shown on Motors TV and is shown world wide in numerous countries so TJE Racing may get its 15 minutes of fame.

--------------------

As a few more parts are on there way i'm chomping at the bit to get back on the bike and show mine and the bike's potential....

--------------------

Merry Christmas all and watch this space for the latest news..

--------------------

31#

We're here now with Christmas slowly creeping up on us, i've turned 30 and i've had my shoulder operation. All i can think about is when will i be ready to go racing again. A good thing is we've managed to free up some funds to spend on the bike so in the coming month it will be coming together for what i have planned for the 09 season. More horsepower will hopefully come with the modifications that i've got planned and i do think we can lose a bit more weight off the bike.

With my shoulder feeling like its been hit with a hammer and my finger still not 100% right i just hope i can be fit for the first race i have planned which will be Mallory Park on the 1st of March. I will weather permitting do a track day the day before so i can get used to the bike and get myself dialled in again

From all at TJE Racing, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and hope to see you all in 2009!

2008 season round up

As the season is now over i've turned my attentions to getting fit and what the 2009 season will bring.

Before i turn my attentions to next year i thought i'd just reflect on the season that has just gone.

2008 brought its fair share of ups and downs, and it all started at Anglesey, where it was the first time i'd ever been to a track and not actually seen it before! So as i came out of pit lane i had to wait to try and follow someone because i didn't have a clue of the layout of the track.

I did learn a lot in ''08 though, i learnt how fast you can go in the wet and it proved to be a strong point for me, i had my best results in the wet and also my first off...

To be honest i was really pleased with this season, i won my first trophy's and even had my 2 seconds of fame on Motors tv!

I'm certain i will win more silverware in 2009 and hope to get even more tv coverage as i'm planning on competing with Thundersport GB which will be televised on Motors tv.

Si 31#

Further Injury woes

After seeing the specialist (after a 2 month wait) it looks like i'll be having another operation.

As you can see on the x-ray my shoulder isn't looking too great so i'll need an operation to re-join my collar bone and shoulder, and i've been told the surgeon will be taking a section of tendon out of my forearm and using it in my shoulder.

So when it looked like i was just getting over my finger my shoulder is going under the knife.

I'll have my arm in a sling for 6 weeks then a further 4 weeks before i can do any heavy lifting.

Hopefully i can have the operation before Christmas and then hopefully be fit for the start of the season...

here's hoping..

31#

Injury Update

After a 20 minute operation and 5 pins and a plate in my finger and several stitches i'm sat here thinking when will i ever be able to get back on a bike?

I've been told a further 4-6 weeks for recovery on my finger but i'm going to the hospital again to a specialist about my shoulder.

So i may need further treatment or surgery on my shoulder.

Here's hoping it will all be sorted soon and i can get back on my bike and at least do some testing and get on the pace.

Ready to go....the bike anyway

After getting the parts to fix the bike we managed to start on modifying the bike for next season. As you can see the rear wheel is now a Dymag and just over a kilo lighter than standard. The front wheel isn't too far away then we'll be looking to get a HM Quick shifter. All in all by the time the 2009 season comes around the bike will be lighter and more competitive.

Keep watching for more mods on the bike.

Just my luck

After my crash at Mallory my shoulder was pretty badly beaten up. Basically my Clavicle (collar bone) is out of alignment. It was getting slightly better until a week ago when whilst taking our dog for a walk i snapped my Metacarpal on my right hand.

So my planned track day was cutting it close but yesterday (14th Oct) i went back to the hospital where i was told that the bone had moved and needed to have an injection and have the bone re aligned............hence to say that it hurt....a lot!

So now i'm waiting to see if my finger needs operating on and also if my shoulder needs operating too....

It's not the best month i've ever had but hey ho, i just hope i can get fit as soon as possible

The aftermath

It's been almost a week and to be honest my shoulder is still really sore as is my right heel, the bruising is beginning to come out and I'm looking very yellow. As for the bike i think i got away lightly, the damage is only light, i need a new clutch lever,gear lever and left hand foot peg and a fibre glass repair kit to fix i few cracks in the fairings. The was however damage to my leathers which need repairing, my gloves which I'm sure will be fine.

My lid was the biggest loser though, it's completely wrecked but if it wasn't for the fact i use a top notch helmet I'm sure i would have suffered even more injury, so it just goes to show that good quality helmets,gloves etc aren't just there for show, they do save you in a crash.

I'm sure your wanting to know how much has the crash cost me???

Well regarding the bike, for the clutch lever,gear lever etc it has cost approx £70.

As for the repairs to my leathers I'm not sure really maybe £30

The cost of my helmet was £350

Lets just hope next time i don't experience the same thing, and stay on the bike and bring home even more silverware!

Cheers

Si 131#

Novice of the Day

Race 2

The weather had improved slightly but the track was still wet, no standing water and i'd backed off the suspension and was feeling confident.

Lights had changed and we were off, again it wasn't a great start but not too bad, i'd slipped into 5th going into Gerrards but as i powered out i was on the tail of 4th and you guessed it i was through on the brakes into Edwina's and back upto 4th, so now i was back to 4th and i was determined to get 3rd.

The bike was handling much better and was holding the gap on 3rd and slowly gaining ground.

I felt more confident in the conditions and was pushing harder and harder, lap by lap i was gaining on 3rd, the adrenalin was pumping and this was it. I was a couple of seconds from 3rd and as we passed the start finish line the last lap flag was out, i had one thing on my mind and that was 3rd!

Round Gerrard's and i clawed even more ground back, upto Edwina's and now i was right up behind him nearly touching distance, through Edwina's then hard on the gas then..........

I had high sided coming out, i had only one thing on my mind to get into 3rd and i'd just tried to hard.

I'd landed on my right shoulder and to be honest my first feeling was i'd broke my collar bone and the back of my left hand felt like it was bleeding, and my right heel was killing me.

After about 10 mins or so i was finally lifted into the ambulance, i was more concerned about my brother watching, he must have thought the worst as i had the medics holding a sheet around me so no one could see what was happening.

In the medical centre they thought i'd dislocated my right shoulder and told me i was to get myself to A&E.

Re united with my brother and speaking to my girlfriend on the phone i reassured them i was fine, as we were putting things away over the loud speaker i heard that i had won the Novice of the Day trophy!!!!!!!

I was in agony but was really happy i'd won a trophy but deep down gutted because i knew i should have had a 3rd place trophy as well.

Race 1

As forecast the heavens opened and it was a wet race.

The lights changed and we were away, going into Gerrards i slipped to 6th but up into Edwina's i was back to 4th, through the Esses and Hairpin and the Bus stop and down over the line, i was holding my own in 4th and now tried to push for 3rd.

Upto Edwina's and i saw 3rd place go down, i couldn't believe i was in 3rd and felt comfortable enough to stay there......but it was short lived as the red flags were waved and it was back to the start line again for the re-start.

So again i didn't get the best of starts and slipped down to 5th into Gerrard's up into Edwina's and got 4th back again, (Edwina's was proving to be my favourite overtaking section of the track) i was in 4th and holding my own again, a few laps in and i'd shook off 5th and was trying to push for 3rd, thing was i couldn't get the bike to turn into Gerrard's as there was standing water and had quite a few moments going into it and also half way round. I didn't realise it at the time but because i'd not backed the suspension off from the dry settings i just couldn't get the bike to handle in the wet.

I'd pushed for 3rd but had to ease off slightly as i couldn't get near, i was pushing hard but just couldn't get close to 3rd.

I'd come home in 4th with a gap of a few seconds from 5th. I'd had a good race but with the settings sorted on the bike i know i could have gone that bit quicker.

I'd done a 1:06.966 in horrible conditions. I just hoped for slightly better conditions in race 2...

Qualifying

After my last attempt at qualifying i decided this time i was gonna get out at the front of the pack and go for it from the off.

The weather was dry, quite warm but the forecast was to rain about dinner time.

The first few laps felt quite quick and got into a great rhythm, i was confident and overtaking bikes with ease. We had been put together with the 600's for qualifying and to my surprise i didn't have too many come past.

I had been overtaken by a Triumph 675 but within a lap he was holding me up, so i passed him on the brakes into Edwina's and pulled away from him, a few laps later i had been passed by MAR Kawasaki ZX6R (Malcolm Ashleys JNR Superstock bike) i didn't know who was on it but again within a lap i passed him with ease going into Edwina's and pulled away.

I felt great on the bike and felt really quick, i had past 3 junior superstock bikes as well as some other 600's and 400's.

Could i have broke the 1min barrier??

I'd qualified 4th on the grid, i was on the front row for the first time! I had felt awesome on the bike and was really looking forward to the race.

I was finally amongst the front runners from the off and confidence was sky high.

My time was a 1:00.517 my fastest time to date and i had missed out on the 1min barrier by half a second........nearly but not quite.

Bring on the first race!!

Mallory 31st August (EMRA)

This was a meeting i was looking forward to, i have slowly but surely grown to know and like Mallory Park, i've raced there about 6 times now and have consistently gone quicker every lap.

My aims for the weekend were to be top 5 in F400 and to win my novice race.

Confidence was high and the bike was fitted with new rubber and i was raring to go!!

Next Race....

My next race is less than a week away and i can't wait.

I'm at Mallory Park and i definitely feel from i can be at the front, i've proven to myself i can go quick and i know i can mix it with the front runners.

So 31st August, put it in your diarys and we'll see you there

Si 131#

Craig Jones

Just wanted to say how sorry i was to hear about the death of Craig Jones, a world class rider who i'am sure would have been World Champion.

My thoughts go out to his family and friends.

rip 18#

Race 2

Race 2 was here and if i hadn't mentioned it before the weather was really hot, i'd been drinking water since i got to Mallory Park and i'd gone through about 6 litres so far.

The lights were out and i got a decent enough start, i'd gained a few places into Gerrards and another into a very busy and hectic Edwinas.

I was feeling far more relaxed on the bike and instantly felt quicker, i was gaining constantly on the bikes in front.

It was about half distance when i got right on the tail of a KTM SuperDuke, i was all over it on the brakes but out of the corners it had far too much torque for me and i couldn't get past.

I was still trying really hard and with about 2 laps to go my tyre had gone off, i knew there were bikes right behind me and i still had to keep on the pace, i was now sliding coming out of the slower corners, and into Gerrards it was moving around.

Through Edwinas for the final time and a bit of a slide coming out of Edwinas and through the Esses and upto the hairpin. I was leaving the brakes as late as possible when a bike came past on the inside!!

Luckily he'd overshot the corner and re took the place on the inside, through the Bus Stop and then the sprint to the line.....

I'd had a much better race and felt far more relaxed and it definitely showed through the race.

I'd finished 14th overall from 21st on the grid and 7th in class.

I had really enjoyed the race and best of all and i'd posted my fastest ever time round Mallory a 1:00.804

I was over the moon when i saw the time sheets, 7th place had done 1:00.390 so

i'd proved to myself that i can go that bit quicker and now i had the belief that i can break the 1 minute barrier.

I was well and truely knackered but had loved the good racing and a big thank you to Thundersport GB for a well organised event and hopefully next year i can run a full season with them

Before i forget the races will be on Motors Tv on Sky Tv

Race 1

I was a long way back on the grid ( 2nd from the back) and as they say the only way is up or in this case forward.

I didn't get too bad a start and quickly settled in, i was up a few places into Edwinas and another into the hairpin.

I was trying harder than ever and this proved to be my downfall, i was too concerned about getting past people on the brakes as i was down on power on quite a bit of the field, and it all started by going into Edwinas and taking 2 bikes on the brakes, and then nearly going off onto the grass.

This wasn't a good race i wasn't racing with my head and every time i took a place i seemed to lose it moments later, as hard as i tried i just seemed to be making more and more mistakes.

I wasn't too happy at all.

I'd tried and given everything but it was to no avail, i'd shown that no matter how hard you try it's not necessarily the best way to race.

I'd finished 18th from 21st and i'd finished 9th in class,which all considering wasn't too bad i suppose but i do know i can do better and know i could go quicker, my fastest time in the race was slower than my qualifying time a 1min 1.574 sec.

Qualifying

I was slightly unsure how to approach this, did i go away with all the pack or just hold back and go on my own with free track in front of me so i could build up and not get duffed up by other riders.

Well i decided to sit back wait for everyone to fire away then i was off, i wanted to settle myself into a rythem then build up faster and faster.

I felt comfortable on the bike, and i was pushing harder and harder then after about 7 or 8 laps going up into the hairpin i got arm pump, i'd suffered from it before and knew instantly that i'd struggle to go any quicker, i completed another lap but that was it, i had to come in early, i couldn't go any quicker... that was that..

I'd qualified 21st out of 28, the decision to hang back was probably not the best but you live and learn and at least i know what to do next time..

Thundersport GB (Mallory Park)

This was a first for me, i'd heard about Thundersport GB and knew that the competition was really good and also that it was televised on Motors Tv on sky.

This was a real last minute decision to run this meeting and was made possible by Eddy Roberts at Complog who forked out the money for the entry fee.

The layout of the day was i'd have a 10 minute practice session then a 15 minute qualifying session then two races.

Qualifying? I'd never done this before and wasn't too sure how to approach it.......

Here goes...

Donington (Race 2)

The second race was ready to start and i was 16th on the grid and was more determined to be a bit more aggressive.

Into Redgate and i was on the inside and it was manic, but i was gonna stand my ground and get in amongst it.

Round Coppice and i was not losing too much out of there and up the straight, i was hard on the brakes and right up behind a few bikes, i was quick through the chicane but i couldn't keep the momentum up as i was being slowed down through the corner.

I'd managed to break away from the bikes right behind me and was gaining on the two bikes in front, i felt quicker than i was in the first race and as soon as i got some free track i closed right up on the bikes in front, i was feeling quicker and quicker and felt i could catch and get past the two bikes in front.

I'd finally managed to get my nose in front and now had free track in front and got my head down, i was braking later and later and getting on the gas earlier and earlier.

I was coming down Craner Curves and flat out in 6th when just through the left hander when the rear tyre decided to keep me on my toes by having a bit of a moment, by this time it was the last lap and i'd gained on the bike in front but didn't have the time or to be honest the energy to get past.

I'd felt much better in this race, i'd relaxed a lot more and felt quicker than the first but i wasn't, my fastest time in race 2 was a 1min 23.28

Oh well, i'd had a good day and was looking forward to the next meeting..

Donington Park (North Gloucester)

Well after the previous week at Mallory and winning my first trophy i was full of confidence and couldn't wait to get on track. I'd done a few afternoons at Donington on the National circuit and i was pretty confident of doing well.

The last time i rode with North Gloucester was at Thruxton and i remember how quick some of those lads were.

We went out for practice and i didnt feel too confident, i kept getting caught in traffic and never had a clear lap, i really didn't feel confident and i kept getting passed on the back straight and to be honest i was pretty concerned.

I came in after practice and looked at the times, I'd done a 1 min 27secs and was 24th overall out of 43.

Not too bad as i know i didn't push to hard, but my gearing was wrong for the back straight and knew the race was going to be a struggle......

On the grid for the 1st race and i was 20th and what seemed to be a long long way to the front. Anyhow the lights were off and we were away, i didn't get too bad a start but still seemed to get swamped, upto Redgate and it was madness there were bikes on either side, were were nearly bashing fairings into the first corner and off down into Craner (the joys of club racing) and i was slowly gaining on people in front, i'd listened to Alec from SMT Honda (BSB Team) and after he'd showed me the lines round Donington i was keen to put it into practice.

So after the first few laps i knew where i was strong and where i was struggling, i was getting better and better on the brakes but out and out top speed i was struggling on the back straight.

I got into a bit of a battle and was swapping places every other corner, i was quick through the last chicane, good on the brakes through Redgate, down through Craner curves and the Old hairpin. The only place i was losing out on really was coming out of Coppice and the back straight.

I thought i was doing ok, but again i was out dragged on the straight but managed to pass them back on the brakes and the outside of the chicane i was back through.

Onto the last lap i was into Redgate and upto about 14th or 13th, then through Craner and the Old Hairpin, soon as we got on the straight i was passed by 2 bikes, i was gutted, and i couldn't get back at them.

I'd finished 16th and knew i could do better, but i suppose i had to settle for it and learn from the first race.

I had done a 1min 23.13s and i knew i could go quicker as my times were quicker than the guys in front..

My First Win!!!!!

I just wanted to thank everybody thats helped get this trophy.

First of all i want to thank the man that put the bike together, tuned the engine, and helped me with all to do with the bike, John Quail, he has built me a great,reliable bike and i'm extremely grateful, thanks mate.

Secondly to Ed at Complog, cheers, you've helped me with a lot a and i'm really grateful for your help, cheers.

Another big thanks to Rob Mathewson, cheers for the dyno work and for your advice with the bike and racing, again i'm extremely grateful.

Jim, Cheers, you talk the arse off a dead donkey but you do make sense

cheers mate.

And last but no means least, thanks to my gorgeous fiance and soon to be wife Adele. We've gone through so much this last month or so and you've been there for me every step of the way and i'm so glad that im with you and i love you so much.

Novice Race

This race was all novices but there was every type of bike, from 125 upto 1000cc bikes.

For this race we had to pull sticks from a hat to determine our grid positions, i pulled out number.....................6!!

I was quite chuffed but to be quite honest i was expecting to get swamped into the first corner with 1000cc bikes coming past and more than likely 600's too.

The lights had gone out and i'd made a good start, we were into Gerrard's and i was in 4th, i couldn't believe it,

I was expecting to be swamped going into the first corner but i wasn't i'd made it to 4th overall, there was an R1 leading who made a blistering start and ther was no chance of getting near him, and behind him there were 2 GSXR 1000's, and me in 4th.

I keep going on about it but i was expecting to be passed by bigger bikes and not only that the 2 thousands in front of me i was expecting to have gone off in the distance...

This was all new to me, i was sat in 4th place behind 2 1000cc bikes and i was all over them into the corners, i was not only gaining on them but i was feeling great and pushing myself to go faster and faster.

I can't remember but it was about the 4th or 5th lap and i had gained maybe 50 feet going into the hairpin and through the bus stop, i was along side 3rd then 2nd place just going over the start finish line, Oh i've never wanted a chequered flag so much before ha ha ha ha...

Hence to say as soon as we got on the straights they just pulled away, i was going as fast as i ever had in the wet and loved every minute, i was sliding the bike going in and felt really confident.

I finally crossed the line in 4th place, i was over the moon, i had beaten 3 1000cc bikes and i had won my class, i was slightly disappointed that i'd not got a top 3 place but i was only on a 400 HA HA HA...

I'd proved i could go quick in the wet and also proved i could win.

Race 2

After the sunny dry conditions of the first race the heavens had now well and truely opened, i was feeling fairly confident that i could go well in the rain and that i could even sneak a podium...

We were in the holding area and to be honest it was absolutely bouncing down. They had delayed the start by 10 mins, so a few final thoughts on how i'd approach the race and was looking forward to some good racing.

We were away and i had a half decent start and was about 8th into the first corner, we were really tentative round the lap, my tyres had been on warmers but i was still unsure on grip and especially with the standing water on track i was very cautious.

On lap 2 i was really feeling grip and i was working my way up again and amazingly yet again in the wet conditions i was enjoying myself, everytime i got on the power loads of grip and was gaining more confidence in these dodgy conditions.

I had worked my way upto 5 th and seemed to on my own, i was a way from 4th and had nobody snapping on my heels.

I tried for a few laps to see if i could get upto 4th but i wasn't so i decided that 5th it was and i was going to not do anything daft and keep it rubber side down.

I'd had a good race in the F400 class there was one more race for me and that was the novice race....

Race 1

Right where do i begin......the weather was appalling, the racing was good and i managed a few good results.

Ok the practice/qualifying was wet, i mean really wet. It had been teeming down and just before i was due to go out we were told there was oil everywhere..........excellent, the track was wet through and i wouldn't be able to see the oil....

After maybe a lap or 2 i couldn't see anything, my visor had fogged up and was struggling, i wasn't feeling too confident and was still looking for traces of oil, this wasn't going well.

I'd qualified 9th but knew i could go faster even in the wet.

We were on the grid and i wasn't feeling to great but one plus, it was dry and sunny.

I didn't get too bad a start, and i was not doing too bad, i was upto 7th, then the fireworks began.

I'd passed another Honda and an rs250 Aprilia, then proceeded to have a real battle, i was quicker than both of them into the corners on the brakes, if this bike has taught me anything its use the brakes to compensate for the lack of power. we were swapping places left right and centre, on the way upto the hairpin i was passed on the inside but tried to close the door but there was no where for me to go, and the honda was through, then the Aprilia was through aswell, i was fuming!

Next lap i outbroke the Aprilia into edwina's and then i was on the honda, round the hairpin and he'd lowsided, he was out, so it was just me and the aprilia...

The aprilia came past again, it was now the last lap so i was really determined to get past, so upto edwina's and he left me the gap, i left the brakes really late and got past, through the esses and upto the hairpin, i was taking the very defensive line and determined not to get past, i was into the bus stop and still in front, i knew i'd beat him and was really happy, we'd had a great race and i'd thoroughly enjoyed it.

I'd got 5th and was pretty pleased.........

Pre Race Review (Mallory 6th July)

This is now going to be a regular thing, me reviewing my races, I'll be telling you how i'm preparing, physically,mentally and how i think about the tracks where i'm racing, so i'll give you a personal run down from my point of view.

So we're at Mallory Park, Leicestershire, the scene of my first ever race. Mallory is a very short circuit but even though it's very short it's also very demanding.

My last visit to Mallory was last year at 'The Race Of The Year' and i didn't do too bad, i finished 5th in class but i did discover one thing, and that was how physically demanding it was. All in all i completed about 45 laps in the day and by the end of it all i was suffering from arm pump and cramps.

This time i'm working on my weight and also my fitness. I've been cycling to try and help and also with the very stressful week i've have my weight has dropped to almost 13st.

Now the only thing i need to get right is my head. Mentally the past week or so has been very trying but i've discovered a fire in my gut, i feel more determined than ever, and can't wait to get on the bike.

Lets do a quick lap then....

Right as i come down the start finish im flat out just hooking 6th gear as i go over the start/finish line.

As i get to the end of the straight i knock it down to 5th, and light throttle round Gerrards until i'm half way round then full throttle and hang on, it's bumpy towards the exit and with the suspension not spot on the bike pushes the front and really upsets the rest of the bike mid corner, as i come out of Gerrards and down the straight i hook 6th then look for the 100 metre board or is it yards? I can never remember, Anyway from about 100mph its really hard on the brakes and throw it into Edwinas which i think with my gearing on the RVF i should be in 3rd or possibly 2nd, it's something i need to sort out in practice, depending on the weather of course!

Ok we're out of Edwina's and i get on the gas as early as possible and last year on the exit of Edwina's i nearly found out how soft or not the grass is, as i had a massive slide and nearly highsided.

As i approach the Esses i just hook up into 4th and then i hold 4th all the way upto the hairpin.

Round the hairpin which is 1st gear then hard on the gas,into 2nd then back off for the Bus Stop.

Out of their and hard on the gas and get as much drive through Devil's elbow as possible on to the start/finish.

Thats a lap from my side of things, the fastest lap i've done so far is 1min 1sec but i will get that time down under a minute.

WATCH THIS SPACE!!!

Mallory Park 6th July

Start/Finish line area The bank here is the main spectator vantage point at Mallory Park. You can see the start and finish of every race - often the most exciting parts - the entrance to Gerard's Bend, Stebbe Straight, The Esses - then you lose sight of competitors as they head up to the hairpin - only for them to blast out of Devil's Elbow and the dash for the chequered flag.
Gerard'sNamed after the great Leicester racing driver Bob Gerard, this is a corner of awesome speed. The first part of Gerard's sees many incidents as it is the first corner after the start and the Kirkby Straight. Spectators can view the racing from their own cars using the Park 'n View area overlooking the corner. You also get a good look at the pits and can see competitors as they take the rest of the corner, head along the straight and into the Esses.
Following the road behind Gerard's, you come to the exit of the corner, with another Park 'n View area high above the track. Speed through Gerard's is vital to a quick lap at Mallory Park, so racers are really "tanking on" here. Exit speeds of over 125mph are not uncommon. There are fine views of Gerard's, Stebbe Straight and the Esses.
Charlie's
Stapleton's
Stebbe StraightThe short straight after Gerard's is not used by many spectators, so a place to come if you are feeling unsociable! From here you can see vehicles at their top speeds, as well as having views of Gerard's and the Esses.
Edwina's For motorcycle use only, with a sharp left hander followed by a right hand bend, then a short straight onto the Esses. There are new spectator banks here, where you will be able to look right down on competitors as they fight for position.
This corner is named in honour of Edwina Overend, long time managing director of Mallory Park, who died in 2003.
The John Cooper EssesThe fast right left flick is the scene of many late braking efforts. This is a corner that can catch out unwary competitors - it is tighter than it looks!
There is a Park and View area overlooking the approach to the corner, as well as a tall bank at the exit. You are close to the action here and can get a real sense of speed.
Views of Gerard's, Stebbe Straight, the run up to the hairpin - and if you are high up - of Devil's Elbow. You will have to leave your car here if you want to continue your lap of the circuit up to......
Shaw's HairpinMallory Park's most famous feature, and many spectator's favourite spot, the first gear 20/30mph hairpin.
There is a large bank overlooking the approach to Shaw's where you can see competitors really stand on the brakes to make the corner. Many last lap overtaking manoeuvres happen here. There are more spectator banks on the exit, all along the circuit leading to Devil's Elbow.
Bus Stop ChicaneAt most motorcycle race meetings - vintage and classic ones excepted - the Bus Stop Chicane is used. First installed to slow competitors down as they went through the following Devil's Elbow, it is now one of the best spectator points on the circuit.
The very tight left-right-left really closes racers up and you can look right down on them from the high banks that overlook it.
Devil's ElbowA really quick downhill left-hander, hang on to the fence here and look down into the cockpit of racing cars as they come flashing by.
This brings us down to the start/ finish line, which is where we came in...........

A week in my life..

I've not written on here for a while and after the week i've experienced i feel i have to.

On Monday the 9th of June 2008 my amazing fiance Adele gave birth to our son Tyler Jack Edmondson, he was born 15 weeks premature and was against all the odds.

On Saturday the 14th of June he lost his fight, for such a tiny baby he fought all the way to try and survive but unfortunately he lost his battle approx 5pm.

My boy survived for 5 days, and in those 5 days he has changed the lives of so many people, i was blessed to have had him in my life and so glad to be called his father.

I would just like to thank my and Adele's parents for all there support, and a big thank you to all the friends that have sent their condolences, it's very much appreciated and heart felt.

There is one last massive thank you and that's to all the nurses and doctors at Derby General Hospital for everything they have done to help me and my family. You are all amazing and will be always in my heart for everything you have done.

What now? Well i want to dedicate all of this to my son, i now want this to be called TJE RACING and want to now show how the most negative of things can bring out some positives and hopefully now this will focus my energies in a way which i can express myself and show what i can do

Thank you for your time,

Simon

Race 2

Confidence was now running high, i was full of myself and now starting from 5th on the grid for the second race i was feeling i could get top 3.

The lights changed and the start was good but not as good as the first, again this was a 4 lap race, so if you don't get away with the front runners your gonna be struggling.

So i got away and not for the first time i had been duffed up and been over took on the inside and had probably slipped down to 10th, as i rounded Cascades which is the 3rd corner, i ran out onto the plastic gridding, which is not very grippy and flat in 3rd gear the back tyre decided to shake its head quite violently and at one point was hoping there was no one right next to me because i would have hit them. Anyway the bike straightened itself out and no one had come passed so that was it, i was really determined now, and i got my head down.

I had passed a few bikes going into shell corner and was really trying, but like i said before in a 4 lap race if you don't get away good your gonna be struggling. As i saw the last lap flag and got onto the run up to Island bend i had a quick look behind and couldn't see anyone near me, now it was a case of just getting to the finish.

I'd finished 9th overall and 8th in class, which if i was honest i was gutted, my fastest time was a 2min 2 sec, and i just expected more, but such is life, so now it was time to reflect on how i could have done better and make a mental note......MUST TRY HARDER!!!!

Race 1

After finding out that i'd accidently forgot to set the tyre pressures and the wets were at 50 psi...........whoops.
So after finely adjusting the setup of the bike by setting the pressures correctly (it was still a wet track by the way) i was hopeful of a decent result, but as i was still being badgered by James to focus and get on it i was slowly coming round to his was of thinking. As i sat on the grid i just thought lets have some of this, the lights turned red, i gave it plently of throttle, just as the lights turned i'd dumped the clutch and i'd made a lightening start, a bit of wheel spin in the wet but i was away clean and from 12th on the line upto about 9th in the first corner.
I was feeling my way round and after the first lap, for the first time on a bike i could feel plenty of grip in the wet it was a really good feeling, and that was all i needed.
I then started to climb through the field, i felt completely confident and was sliding the bike around but it felt good, the front felt rooted to the floor and i was enjoying myslef, who would have thought it!!
This was a 4 lap race, but i was on a mission, upto druids and i was right behind another rider, i had loads of drive out of there and i had the run of him upto lodge, he managed to pip me through lodge but that just really wound me up i was getting past, over the start line then upto old hall where i made my move, late on the brakes and up the inside, then as soon i got past i was hot on the heels of the next bike, again it was at druids where i had much more drive and was past.
I was praying for more time but that was that, i'd started 12th and finished 5th overall, but 4th in class, i was buzzing, i couldn't believe how in a 4 lap race had made up so much time.

Roll on race 2

Oulton Park 12-04-08

This was the meeting i was looking forward to, i knew Oulton Park, and was feeling really confident as i'd been at Donington the previous wednesday afternoon and i felt really good on the bike.This was also a big occasion for me because this was the first time my mum had come to watch me race, she doesn't really like bikes to say the least but i was really glad that my mum and dad were there and also my gorgeous girlfriend Adele, i also had the mind expert James along as well to help me out (a good mate from work who was at the time suffering from a massive hangover), now i had my pit crew and fan club i was really up for it.
There was one slight problem though..........it was raining.......DOH!!

As i wasn't very confident in the wet i was very apprehensive. I went out for practice and instantly the bike felt....well....just not right, but i thought it was down to the greasy surface, so i carried on and the lap before i had a big slide coming onto the start finish....something wasn't right...

Race 2

Now the weather was glorious well, it was sunny and quite nice even if it was a bit windy, i was starting 11th on the grid, and full of confidence, even though id not covered many miles round the Anglesey Coastel circuit.
Lights changed and i had not got the best of starts YET AGAIN! but as the lap went on i managed to claw back a few places i lost at the start.
I was getting used to the track and braking later and later for every corner, i was now 11th overall and i could see a group of about 3 bikes in front of me, i was pushing really hard and as i turned on the start finish line i had a massive slide, i rounded the first corner then hard into the banked right hander then had a quick glance over my shoulder, there was no point me pushing to much and falling off, i couldn't see anyone behind and backed off slightly, if there were another 5 or 6 laps i think i would have caught the bikes in front, but i would have to settle for 11th overall 10th in class, so i kept going and crossed the line and finish in a respectable 10th in class, not bad as i'd never seen Anglesey before.

Onwards and Upwards!!!

Race 1

A last minute decision to swap from wets to drys proved a wise choice. The track was dry pretty much everywhere, so this was it, my first race at Anglesey, i was still learning the track and just hoping to finish at least half way.

There's one thing i'd never done at a race meeting before and that was to choose my starting position from a hat...........and when i did...........mmmm...... 27th out of 29..........oh well

I'd nothing to lose in this race, i was on the back row and racing somewhere where i'd only done about 7 laps in practice, well here goes.

I got a half decent start and manged to pass about 4 before the first corner, then another 2 before the 3rd, this was going ok........

I was gradually picking up places and more than that i was having a ball, the track was awesome and i was learning every bump and twist with every lap.

With every lap my confidence grew and lap times dropped, i rounded the last corner and that was that.

I'd started 27th and finished 10th, not bad saying id no experience of the circuit

hope race 2 goes as good...

Anglesey 16/03/08 Practice

We arrived at Anglesey Circuit Saturday night about 8 ish to be welcomed by gale force rain and horrendous rain, i thought it was going to be a washout next day but i was to be proved very wrong.

Sunday was dryer than Saturday but it was still very windy, the track was still wet and i was very apprehensive about going on track as I'd never been here before and didn't have a clue to where the track went.

So we gathered in the holding area, i had wets on as the track was still wet but it wasn't raining, out we went i let the fast guys go away while i waited for someone to try and tag on to so i could try and learn the circuit.

I think i got about 10 or 12 laps in and was happy with everything, i just needed a go start in the 1st race..

Anglesey 16/03/08

Ok then my next race is at Anglesey on the 16th of March with Wirral 100. I've never been to Anglesey before and its all new to me, i just hope i can learn the track fairly quick and put in a good performance.

The race is on Sunday the 16th of March, i just hope the weather will stay dry and hopefully dry (ish).

Stay tuned for a full race report and pictures