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