tje racing

EVERYTHING MOVED TO WWW.TJERACING.CO.UK

2011-01-04T21:20:00.002Z

My bike for 2010

2009-11-28T21:06:00.000Z

Even before the turn of the year i've managed to set my stall out with clear intentions for the 2010 season, i want to be at the front and winning, now i have the bike to do so.

With the great Freddie Dunn unfortunately hanging up his racing leathers the opportunity came to buy this gorgeous and extremely trick RVF 400.

Stay tuned for the full spec and hopefully more news and pics, and hopefully some winter testing

RVF 400 RACE BIKE FOR SALE

2009-11-18T17:40:00.001Z

After nearly 4 years im finally selling my beloved RVF.

Im looking to buy another bike and need to sell mine to fund the new one. Those who have followed this site can look back on my blog and see how the bike has evolved over the years and also seen the amount of time and money that has gone into the bike you see here....

As for the spec of the bike, here goes.....

Heads and block have been skimmed

Heads have been ported and polished

Pistons and Rods have been balanced

Nc30 Carbs

Ram Air

All quietening gears removed

Bike is running a total loss system but has a starter

Programmable CDI

Venhill Quick action throttle

Gear change light

Scitsu temp gauge

Sprint steering damper

Hel braided hoses front and rear

Braking Italia front wavey discs

BMC Racing Twin stack exhaust

BMC Racing Lightweight Rear wavey disc

BMC Racing Lightweight rear ally subframe and battery box with smaller lighter battery

BMC Lightweight Ally tank and race fuel cap

Carbon Fibre engine covers

SES Rearsets

SES Clip ons

SES Ally screen brace

Double bubble screen

Newly fitted EBC HH pads

WP rear shock (off an RS250 Aprilia)

Spares

Micron rear paddock stand

New fairings

Seat unit

New rear pads

Oxford Battery Optimiser

Pit board with all numbers

spark plugs (used)

The chain is 3 meetings old and will have the oil and filter changed before it goes anywhere. The bike is running approx 70 bhp on BMC Racing's dyno.

I was hoping to get around the £3200 mark but im open to offers

***PLEASE NOTE THE DYMAG WHEELS ARE NOT BEING SOLD WITH THE BIKE***

Sponsorship

2009-10-06T19:32:00.007+01:00

I've now setup a new thing which allows people if they so wish to donate to my racing. I don't expect people to donate a lot but if everyone who has visited this site donated £1 it would enable me to race for a full season and more, enabling me to use new tyres for every race, frequent servicing of my bike, uprated parts and much much more. I will post up here everyone that kindly donates.

Thank you very much for your time and regardless of the amount i can assure you every penny that is donated will be put towards the racing and hopefully help towards getting me at the front of the grid!!

Si #3

A BIG THANKS............

2009-10-05T22:36:00.004+01:00

Firstly a massive thanks to Mike at BMC Racing for all the work and effort in putting into my bike and helping me get faster and faster, a massive thanks mate, all your work has been very much appreciated and i wanna just say a massive congratulations for winning the EMRA 400 championship!!

Top drawer mate!

Secondly a massive thanks to Eddie at Complog for all the help with the tyres, help with the van and all the bits and bobs that has helped me get out on track.

One last big thanks is to Rod Jeacock for all your help, its been a massive help and shown that on track too!

Thanks again mate!!

Emra Rd 6 Final Round

2009-09-29T23:29:00.010+01:00

Well time seems to have flown by and we have finally reached the final round of the EMRA season.

After the previous meeting i was determined to do better than 7th and 8th places. I was really annoyed and was disappointed that id let myself down, so this time id done what i could to prepare myself, id done some cycling, ate healthy and drunk plenty of water and to be honest i was feeling good

Conditions were perfect and it was time to go out and qualify, i was really looking forward to it and wanted to get out and show what i could do..

The only problem was we were out with the earlystocks......oh dear..

Well i managed to get past a few down the straight on the outlap, and a couple more into Gerrard's, to be honest i was struggling with traffic and when i came round Gerrard's on the stop in 6th and there was a link pipe on the exit i was kind of suprised and lucky not to hit it, it seemed one of the earlystocks had shed it......mmmm, anyways i had one clear lap and i felt quite good, i got off the bike and felt ready for more, it was good not to feel like id done a days work..

It showed on the time sheets too, id qualified 3rd on the grid!! it wasn't my fastest time by a second or so, i managed a 1:01.212 which wasn't too bad.. roll on race 1

Race 1

It was a weekend really that was marred by a horrendous crash in the 600 practice, Richard Saunders crashed at the hairpin at high speed and was air lifted out of the track, Richard was due to race in the f400 race and we were expecting a real battle for the title with Mike Dorey.

All my best wishes go out to Richard and his family, i hope you get well soon and hope to see you out on track in the not so distant future..

The race was underway and i got an average start, but i was still quite happy as i was tagging on to some of the quicker boys, in the previous meeting i wouldn't have been able to keep up, but now i was showing some speed and hanging in there..

It was to prove one of the best races i've probably had, i don't know why but i seem to have found myself battling with a green zxr last round and this one....

and without fail we were swapping positions again, we were battling for 5th and we were swapping positions on a regular basis, especially at the hairpin where he was running wide, and on the 8th lap he ran wide and i took advantage, and as i powered out and covered the line he smashed into the side of me and i was out of the seat and found the bars swapping ends.....mmmmm, it doesn't take a lot to get my back up and he had certainly had done that!!!

I then proceeded to chase as hard i could, and the next lap i set my fastest time ever and did a 59.743!! Id broken the jinx and gone under a minute.

Unfortunately i had to settle for 6th......but now i was really pissed off and i was determined to do better in race 2.....

Race 2

Now there was just one thing about race 2 which u should know, Leon Jeacock, last years f400 champion was doing a one off ride on Mikes 2nd bike, and it proved to be very interesting indeed..........

I got a good start now from the second row, and was determined that i was going to get past and stay past that pesky green zxr!!

In the mean time i'd had a rvf 400 in BMC colours come past me like i was stopped, Leon i think had decided he needed the toilet and set off like a scalded cat!!!

Anyway id got a decent start and i passed the pesky zxr and a vfr round Gerrard's and was now in 4th behind Mike and was holding my own not too far behind, when a familiar looking orange zxr come past!

I was now in 5th but had my head down and was putting in what felt like quick laps, i was slowly catching Mike in 4th and i was certain the green zxr wasn't too far behind but upto the hairpin and a look over my shoulder and there was no one to be seen.

Round Gerrard's again and the bike was sliding a lot more, and then again the next lap at the same place it was getting more out of shape, so upto the hairpin and another check over my shoulder and still nothing there, i would have had to push really hard to catch Mike and get 4th, and i was way in front of the green zxr so i decided to bring her home and settle for a well earned 5th place, i'd only ridden 3 times all year and i was well chuffed as i knew i had tried really hard to improve myself and it showed on the track.

As for times i had done a 59.549 and i had finished 7 seconds in front of Daniel Brown on his quick and too familiar green zxr 400 and was 6 seconds behind Mike (BMC Racing)

All in all i was really happy with my results and my times, i now know i can go faster and next year i'll be trying my hardest to get to the front!!

Oh one last thing, Leon went on to win from the back of the grid and break the lap record......

Emra RD5 16-08-09

2009-08-19T11:59:00.005+01:00

It was nearly 6 months since i last rode my bike, without quite a few mods too. I'd come straight from the port at Birkenhead to Mallory and was feeling a little bit tired but still well up for it.

Firstly i want to say a massive thanks to Mike (BMC RACING), Rod and Leon Jeacock for taking my bike to Mallory, fuelling it up and basically setting my mind at rest, its all very much appreciated.

QUALIFYING

I was hoping that i would show well in qualifying but it was slightly more disappointing than i expected.

The weather was perfect, the bike was perfect, i wasn't.

I felt so unfit, mainly due to the tiredness from working and the travelling but i was trying and didn't think i was doing that bad.

Well i qualified 8th and felt slightly disappointed but not to worry, it was going to be different in the race.

RACE 1

I got an awful start and thought i was just going to keep going backwards but on the first lap the race was red flagged after a crash coming out of the bus stop.

So to a restart and i made a screamer of a start and upto 5th going into Gerrards, i felt quite comfortable and felt i was gaining on the bikes in front, but as it was in there yet another red flag so we were taken off the grid and told that that race would be the last one of the day.

Race 1 Re-Run

I was determined to do a lot better in this race and see what happens. Again i got a really good start and from 8th i was upto 5th going into the first turn and felt really good. After a few laps i was slowly gaining on the battling pack in front until my mate James Simpson on the orange zxr400 came past but over cooked it going into the hairpin, and not happy with doing it once he managed it another two times then even went on the grass going into Edwinas.

As it was i was overtaken and pushed down into 6th by number 56 then after getting stuck behind a back marker James passed me at the bus stop and the following lap the race race was stopped.

So after a frantic 7 laps id finished 7th with a best time of 1:01.254 which is way off my best time but everything taken into account it wasn't a bad first run out for the new bike

Race 2

After a so so kind of 1st race i was looking to improve and hopefully get a top 5 finish, with a couple of bikes missing off the front row i was feeling hopeful but didn't realise that they had started from the back of the grid.

Anyway i got a half decent start and was top 5 or 6 then got passed and was sat in 7th.

After a few laps i was taken by a green zxr 400 and then proceeded to have a bit of a tussle for the remaining laps, but i was unable to keep him at bay and finished 8th.

i had done a best time of 1:01.358 and i was knackered.

The good points to come out of the day was i really enjoyed the bike with all the new parts and it was a pleasure to ride.

My main aims now are to get out on a test day and get to grips with the bike again and also get my fitness levels up.

So hopefully next time out we should be looking at top 3!

latest pics of my new look bike!

2009-08-03T21:50:00.004+01:00

Here's the latest pics of my RVF and it looks absolutely stunning, roll on the 16th of August!!

Back on track

2009-06-16T21:14:00.002+01:00

Well after a weekend of watching the racing and after a quick chat with Mike (BMC Racing) I'll be at the next round of the EMRA meeting on the 16th of August.

I'll either be on my ''new look'' bike or a BMC Racing Rvf, so either way i'll be on top machinery and looking to finish top 5.

I'm really excited and can't wait to get back out on track but to be honest i'm looking forward to seeing the new bike and seeing how she performs out on track.

Watch this space.......

Update

2009-04-21T10:48:00.002+01:00

Just a quick update, after a few weeks at BMC and a few minor problems have come to light.

First a leak was spotted in the bottom radiator, which will be replaced by a bigger alloy rad to increase cooling. This is just a drop in the ocean of things that are being done.........

The second problem is slightly more of a problem but with Mike on the case i'm sure it will get resolved. There are some worn cogs basically in the gearbox causing it to jump out of gear which explains my dissapointing last race. Once this is fixed Mike can then get on with the other parts and then we can get the bike back on track.

As for new parts......

Here's a list of things that will be on the bike when she comes back...

- Quickshifter

-Quick action throttle

-Ram Air

-New light weight tank

-New lighter battery

-Scitsu Temperature Gauge

-New Seat unit (more room for me to get under the screen)

All these new things will help give more power, lighten the bike and all in all help me compete with the guys at the front. I'm very excited with the new stage of this bike and now i've had the bike coming up to 3 years and remember the first time out when it was a very standard bike, but over the years mainly due to funds we've managed to slowly improve everything about the bike.

I feel since the bike has been at BMC Racing the bike will get the best and will transfer onto the track. Within the next year i expect the bike to be a top spec RVF 400, having new suspension in the winter and hopefully a new exhaust system. Then once its all done we can concentrate on the racing and spreading the word of BMC RACING.

Thanks to..

MIKE -BMC RACING

FREDDY DUNN - PAINTWORK/BODYWORK

ROD JEACOCK- LIGHTWEIGHT PARTS

BMC Racing

2009-03-14T08:54:00.004Z

Just a quick shout out to Mike at BMC Racing, my bike is going back for some more work doing it and i'm sure it will be a missile when it comes back.

***Be sure to click on the logo for more info on BMC RACING***

Stay tuned for further updates

Race Bike Spec for 2009

2009-03-08T11:27:00.002Z

As we've already started the ''09 season i should tell you what has happened to the bike over the winter.

The biggest thing cost wise has been the Magnesium Dymag wheels, they should save approx 2 kilos in weight but they will make far more of a difference with handling.

As for cost....well lets say i paid more for the wheels than i did the bike...

Other modifications as you can see are the rear lightweight sub frame, weighing in at just 800 grams its a massive saving over standard. Also the rear disc has been ditched for a light weight replacement which is half the weight of a standard one.

The things you can't see, well the biggest mod which has been done is a programmable CDI, giving the bike a few more horses, giving it a few extra revs and giving more bottom end. The differences were obvious on the track, pulling cleaner and harder through the Esses at Mallory.

The Figures

On the dyno at BMC Racing the bike is now reading 70.12 bhp at the back wheel, and now with the lightweight parts on the bike she is weighing in at 152 kg.

After racing the bike at Mallory as well as it was the bike was down on power to the top spec bikes, and seen as i have a competitive streak, i've decided to send the bike back to BMC Racing and do some further modifications.....

All will be revealed shortly......

Thanks to....

Just a big thanks to

Mike @ BMC Racing

Leon and Rod Jeacock

EMRA RD 1 (F400 Race 2)

2009-03-03T21:53:00.002Z

After the confidence boosting first race i was feeling good, and looking forward to the race, even though i'd had some pain killers in the break for my shoulder.

We gathered on the line (i was now in 4th on the grid due to the results from the first race) and the lights changed.... i was swallowed up by the pack and stuck somewhere in 10th going into the first corner.

This was the complete opposite to the first race, i'd got a worse start but i saw a small pack breaking away (2nd,3rd and 4th) and i knew i had the pace to get upto them and hopefully battle for a top 3 position.

BUT as things go it wasn't to be, i had a few small problems with the gear change and finding false neutrals but as i said in the 1st race the slower bikes caused me no end of problems and slowed me down.

I finished 6th and to be quite honest i was really gutted, i felt that i missed out on a top 3 position but in the light of day this was my first meeting back since my shoulder operation and it was the first race with the bike that had quite a lot of new parts on it so all in all i should be happy but after the great qualifying position i felt gutted.

I'll now pick myself up, try and get my shoulder right and then see what the next meeting brings.

Thanks Si

EMRA RD 1 (F400 Race 1)

2009-03-03T21:24:00.003Z

Well this was my best starting position, and i knew i had to get a good start but i fluffed it, and probably down to 6th into Gerard's but i know i have quite a good race pace and knew i could claw it back.

After the first few laps things did stretch out a bit and i found myself behind a very familiar bright orange ZXR!

Although i knew it was quick in a straight line i could get passed and stay in front, i just had to keep an eye on the lines he was taking and keep pushing.

Luckily he ran wide going into the hairpin and i was into 4th, i managed to stay in front until the end but it was hard work as the slower bikes running in the same race were causing a lot of problems for everybody, and when your approaching corners 10 or 15 mph quicker than the bikes in front it becomes dangerous.

Anyhow i was happy with 4th and feeling positive about the second race

Mallory Park - EMRA RD 1

2009-03-03T20:51:00.002Z

After all the waiting the season was finally underway, i was probably the most nervous i've been in a long time but although i was i felt my bike was better than it had been previous and all i needed to do was regain my confidence...

Qualifying...

Luckily i'd been able to use the Jeacock's awning (Thanks Rod and Tracey) and i was next to my mate James Simpson on his very orange and bloody quick ZXR 400 and we left the pits together and for the first 6 or 7 laps i was following him and we seemed to be going pretty well, i was struggling in a straight line against him but through the corners i was equal if not quicker and towards the end of the session i managed to get past him and i had felt really good on the bike, i'd had brand new rubber on the bike and it showed, the bike felt planted everywhere and i felt i could get the power on really early everywhere.

So...where did i qualify, to be honest i thought Simmo on his orange flying machine had gone quicker than me and i thought i would have done well to get in the top 8, but i looked at the time sheets and i was 3rd!!!

3rd on the grid and i'd not raced or really ridden a bike in 6 months, i was over the moon, i had done a 1:01.699

Not too bad but could do better..

Pictures from Mallory Trackday

2009-03-03T20:45:00.001Z

Mallory Park Trackday 27-02-09

2009-03-03T20:32:00.002Z

After 6 months or so i finally managed to get back in the saddle on a No Limits track day at Mallory.

I was feeling a bit nervous for obvious reasons but also felt excited, I'd had my to BMC Racing for a few odds and sods doing and most importantly the new cdi fitting, giving better pickup and also letting the bike rev a little bit higher.

I was looking to just get back into the swing of things and get some practice in, the first session felt awkward, the bike didn't seem right but i'd put that down to not riding a bike for such a long time.

The second session felt better and i was beginning to get into it more, get earlier on the gas and later on the brakes.

And then the 3rd session, everything felt really good, i was pushing a little bit harder and feeling more relaxed and comfortable, i could feel the differences in the bike too, the bike was pulling better, especially through the esses and also it was turning quicker, thanks to the Dymags and also the lightweight rear subframe and rear disc.

I did 3 sessions then decided to call it a day, i'd had good practice and did what i wanted to do but also my shoulder was aching and i didn't want to push my luck..

Roll on the 1st March....

Almost ready

2009-01-17T20:23:00.003Z

The bike is not far off ready to go and i've got my race number through off EMRA and i'll be running the the number 3 this year.

There is still a couple of jobs to finish off but they're not massive and with a trackday booked for the 27th at Mallory. It will be nearly 5 months since i rode the bike and had my accident.

Not only will i be getting used to the bike all over again but now with new lightweight wheels and other parts fitted on the bike i will have to get used to the NEW bike, hopefully quicker, improved handling and better brakes.

Lets see what happens

New Parts & New Look

2009-01-07T06:12:00.002Z

With a new year, a new look. We've managed to get several new parts for the RVF 400 and i'm extremely confident it will improve performance and handling.

As you can probably see the biggest change is the looks. I've gone for Honda RS250 seat unit and once its painted i think it will make the bike look much better.

Also yet to be fit to the bike is a front 5 spoke Dymag acquired from Aly Bayley (www.abrmotorsport.com) as well as Braking Italia wavey discs, Carbon fibre engine casing covers, new bodywork,double bubble screen, alloy screen brace and last but not least a programmable CDI unit.

The biggest improvements should be from the Dymags, lightweight wheels and also the rear wheel is slightly wider at 5.25 inches so the 160 section tyres i use will fit the wheel better and i should be able to use all of the tyre now and improving side grip. The new CDI will up the revs to 15,000 rpm from 14,500rpm, and it will also smooth out the power curve, improve throttle response and from what i gather up horsepower by maybe 2-3bhp.

There is still work to be done and is maybe 2-3 weeks away from completion but when it's finished i cannot wait to get on board and see what the improvements have made.

I'm pretty confident now i'll have a bike that will get me at the sharp end of the action and once back to full fitness i'll be backing myself to be top 3

watch this space!!

#31

Looking forward to 2009

2008-12-25T18:22:00.004Z

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#

Here and Now

2008-12-21T01:59:00.002Z

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

2008-11-13T13:07:00.002Z

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

2008-11-12T18:56:00.002Z

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

2008-11-01T12:24:00.003Z

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

2008-10-15T12:12:00.003+01:00

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

2008-10-15T11:56:00.003+01:00

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

2008-09-06T13:08:00.003+01:00

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

2008-09-02T20:06:00.002+01:00

Race 2

2008-09-02T19:41:00.002+01:00

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

2008-09-02T19:21:00.002+01:00

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

2008-09-02T18:53:00.002+01:00

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)

2008-09-02T18:48:00.002+01:00

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....

2008-08-26T16:48:00.002+01:00

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

2008-08-14T10:06:00.002+01:00

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

2008-08-12T17:25:00.002+01:00

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

2008-08-12T13:54:00.003+01:00

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

2008-08-12T13:36:00.003+01:00

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)

2008-08-11T18:57:00.003+01:00

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)

2008-08-11T17:22:00.005+01:00

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)

2008-08-04T20:01:00.002+01:00

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!!!!!

2008-07-30T22:34:00.002+01:00

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

2008-07-30T22:00:00.003+01:00

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

2008-07-30T21:15:00.003+01:00

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

2008-07-24T21:48:00.004+01:00

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)

2008-06-17T11:53:00.002+01:00

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

2008-06-17T11:17:00.001+01:00

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..

2008-06-15T11:39:00.003+01:00

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

2008-05-13T18:56:00.002+01:00

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

2008-05-13T10:17:00.003+01:00

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

2008-05-12T20:48:00.005+01:00

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

2008-05-12T20:24:00.002+01:00

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

2008-04-13T22:03:00.002+01:00

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

2008-03-25T21:38:00.003Z

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

2008-03-09T21:22:00.003Z

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

Mention and Picture in BikesportNews

2008-01-18T19:46:00.001Z

Dyno run graph

2008-01-18T19:44:00.001Z

Plum Pudding 2007

2008-01-15T22:02:00.001Z

Plum Pudding 2007

2008-01-15T22:01:00.001Z

Plum Pudding 2007

2008-01-15T21:58:00.001Z

Plum Pudding 2007

2008-01-15T21:55:00.000Z

WWW.JAP4PERFORMANCE.COM

2008-01-04T18:56:00.000Z

Just a thank you to Gavin at Jap4Performance.com for giving me a deal on their products, ranging from factory HRC parts to rearsets and race/road plastics.

They supply most parts for all makes of bike

So if anybody out there needs parts for road or racing for their bikes have a look first on http://jap4performance.com

Sharing the back page of MCN with Rossi,Toseland and Tommy Hill

2007-12-30T14:39:00.000Z

This is me on the back page of MotorCycleNews pictured here changing the odd tyre at Thruxton from this year at British SuperBikes

Sponsorship

2007-12-29T19:56:00.000Z

As pretty much everyone knows its a tough job affording to go racing.

I'm writing to ask for help with sponsorship so i can continue to go racing and continue my improved start to my short racing career.

I've shown that with a little bit of practice that i can finish top ten and even top 3.

If you can help in any way, by that i mean from money for entry fees, engine work, tyres or just oil and consumables

All help and contributions will be very much appreciated and if you were to invest a small amount into this project you will get a space on my bike for advertisement and you will get a frequent mention on theis site

Thank you very much

Simon Edmondson

For any information or if you can help me in anyway

contact me at

simon544@msn.com

Race 2 - Plum Pudding

2007-12-29T18:40:00.001Z

I need to practice my starts, the 2nd start was awful again, even though i made up a few places going into the first turn, the track wasn't bone dry so i'd kept my wets on, a 400 your not really going to rip the tyres up as they've not got the power of the bigger bikes.

I felt more comfortable in this race and settled in pretty much straight away picking off quite a few bikes in the first few laps.

Only problem with these races is that 6 laps round Mallory isn't a lot for such a small circuit but i suppose for Boxing Day you can't complain.

I had picked up the pace quite well but the bikes in front were the start/finish straight in front, so i kept going and crossed the line in what i thought was 5th place.

When i went to collect the results sheet i saw i was in 3rd!!!!!!

RESULT!! i had a bit of luck in the front two bikes taking each other off but i wasn't bothered, i'd got my first top 3 finish!

WELL CHUFFED!!!!!!

Race 1 - Plum Pudding

2007-12-29T18:20:00.000Z

After a long year of tuning the bike and getting everything as good as we could i was pretty confident of a good result, especially as the Supermoto's had been put in there own race.

The track was wet and it was pretty cold, but even so, starting from 24th i thought i'd do pretty well.

Red lights went out and it was go, YET AGAIN another terrible start (i really need to sort these starts out!) but i was moving through the field, it was a 6 lap race and i knew that a good start was needed but even so i was working my way through the field.

This was only the 2nd time i'd ridden on wets and wasn't doing too bad, a few bikes had past me in the first few laps but now my tyres were warming up and was starting to get grip.

With a few laps remaining i'd re passed the bikes that had come by and i was going well, round the hairpin and through the bus stop and i'd finished in 5th place. I was pleased with that as i'd started so far back

Plum Pudding Race

2007-12-27T18:06:00.000Z

The 2nd year in a row i raced on Boxing Day in The Plum Pudding Races at Mallory Park.

Weather wasn't the best to start with but it was a pretty decent day weather wise and i managed to get another signature on my race license.

The day was set out with the cars, bikes and sidecars all racing in different classes.

I had 3 races and i was in with anything from 125 scooters upto 500cc Manx Nortan.

Video of the Dyno run

2007-12-23T13:26:00.000Z

Bike finally on the dyno

2007-12-23T13:15:00.000Z

Well finally managed to get the dyno running at work and got my bike on there, i was pleasantly surprised to see the power output but i suppose after the time,work and effort John had put into the engine it should have been expected. Also if i would have had some more money i could have had a bit more.

Rob did about 10 runs in all measuring different things, trying out the dyno and settings etc, but we managed to get a an average reading of about 63 bhp at the back wheel, which he told me was an SAE reading, and this was an accurate one, he said the UNCORRECTED reading was 68 bhp @ the back wheel but this wasn't really accurate, he also said that when he worked on the NC35's of FOGGY and HIZZY the HRC ones had 72 @ the back wheel so for the money that's been spent on the bike its very respectable.

So it's another big THANK YOU TO

JOHN QUAIL - for all the time, effort and general care he's taken in the bike, thanks a lot, it is a great bike you've built hopefully we can go win some races and get some return on your hard work!

Oulton Park Trackday

2007-11-02T14:49:00.000Z

A pic from Oulton Park, had a slow start to the day but got used to the track. Took a few sessions to get into the swing of things but didn't do too bad, Managed a time of 2 min 04 but it was bloody cold and when your on track against 1000cc bikes and 600's its difficult to try and gauge yourself but im sure with a few more laps i'd be knocking a few more seconds off the lap times....

Seen as the season has all but finished i needed to get back on the bike, i need track time and as much as i can if i'm going to try and do my best next year, plus i also need try and get fit, the last time out at Mallory showed just how unfit i am and that i could have done better in the race if i had been more physically fit. So hopefully this trackday will help and i'm trying some new gearing.

Trackday on Saturday 17th Nov with Focused Events

F400/F600 Race

2007-11-02T14:28:00.001Z

View from the banking at Devil's Elbow

2007-11-02T14:26:00.001Z

Going Through The Bus Stop

2007-11-02T14:09:00.000Z

F400/F600 Race

2007-11-02T14:08:00.000Z

Race 2 F400/F600

2007-11-02T13:45:00.000Z

Ok then this was going to be more of a race, i knew i could get up there and mix it with the lads that had been running top 5 all year even though this is the 4th time I've ridden the bike in 12 months.

We gathered in our grid positions, i was 31st out of 33 and knew i had my work cut out to get anywhere near the front runners, i mean the front runners in the 400 class, there were quick guys on 600's an i knew they would prob lap me at some point. Anyway the lights went out and for the first time i got away well, picking places up on the straight, then in to Gerrard's and i was passing people on the outside and i had good drive on to the back straight down to Edwina's, I'd picked up maybe 5 or 6 places in half a lap!!

Things were getting better as i slowly got quicker and quicker picking off more riders and the odd 600 as well, i was into maybe the 7th or 8th lap when i had a battle on my hands, a VFR 400 had tried passing my twice going in to Edwina's but I'd definitely slammed the door in his face, i was getting more and more tired though at this point and round to Edwina's once again where just when i thought about the same guy passing me he was along side and there was no way i could have kept him at bay.

By now i was getting bad arm pump and really showed how unfit i was, as hard as i was trying i couldn't go any faster i was just to tired, so i just settled in and tried to keep the pace up for the last few laps.

I'd given as much as i could and i was well and truly knackered! I'd tried my hardest and finished 22nd overall, and 5th in class. I was a bit gutted I'd not finished higher but seen as these guys have been racing all year i was chuffed deep down. I'd also posted a good lap time of 1:01.330, this was my fastest time of the day and I'd proved to myself that i could run near the front, i was filled with confidence can't wait to get back on the bike again.

Practice 2 F400/F600

2007-11-02T12:04:00.000Z

After my first practice i had a second with F400/F600, which was a lot better for me as i felt more comfortable and could gauge things a lot better for the race with me practicing with similiar powered bikes.

I set off in the practice and instantly got into the groove and felt quicker and quicker, then coming through Edwina's then hard on the gas when the back end just broke away and before i knew it i was staring at the front wheel, then i managed to get back on the seat and away i went, for a split second i thought, ''SHIT'' i was lucky to get away with that one, after that the rear tyre felt to be sliding a lot more, i did about 3 more laps and came in, i checked the rear wheel and the tyre was scrap, i had been running an Sc1 compound (soft) but only had the option for a 2 (medium) but needed it so that was that. After the practice i was 20th out of 26 on track posting a time of 1:02.413

Alamo Race Standings

2007-11-02T10:37:00.000Z

Race 1 - The Alamo Racing Trophy

2007-11-02T10:05:00.000Z

Right then i had nothing to lose, i was against bigger,faster bikes and more experienced riders but i didn't care i knew if i could get a decent start i could keep with a few of them for a lap at least!

The red light came on and then off, it was go! i made a mess yet again of my start, and within a blink of an eye i was dead last....bugger! Oh well i thought id just get my head down and see what i could do, round Gerrards and down to Edwina's, id been getting faster through there in practice and felt i was holding a good line and good speed, so through i went and through the Esses and up to the hairpin, i was hard on the brakes and took about 40 foot out of the guy in front on what looked like a Fireblade, i was gaining slightly on him, down the straight then round Gerrards again and up to Edwina's, where the two guys in front must have had a bit of an incident cos one of the 2 went straight on at Edwina's and i wasn't last anymore....well for now anyway.

Through the bus stop and down the start finish and I'd not been passed...i thought the guy behind must have had a problem with his bike because he'd not passed me on the straight. Through the next lap and still no one had passed then me thinking he was in the pits he passed me going up to Edwina's on the brakes.....it was inevitable but i battled on all the same. Now was the time i knew the guys winning would be coming up to lap me so i had one eye on the Marshall's waiting for the blue flags to come out when on the start finish 2 bikes passed me at warp speed, so i decided to try and learn a bit from them, their lines etc, i was equally fast going through Edwina's but an R1 with 170 or so bhp is going to leave me for dead on the power, so a few more past going up to the hairpin, i looked over my shoulder and took a wide line round the hairpin trying not to get caught up with any faster bikes. One thing i did learn is as i was riding round the bus stop, you could see the faster guys powering on as soon as you flick it right.

Now it was all about getting track time, so i felt i was getting faster when as i rounded Gerrards for the 10th time (these were 12 lap races) someone had gone down and it was red flagged, i had been lapped twice but id enjoyed the track and learnt something so i was really confident for my next race which would be a lot more even. I had finished last but my fastest time wasn't that far off the guy in front who was on a 1000cc bike. Roll on race 2!!

Race Of The Year

2007-11-02T09:33:00.000Z

Sunday the 21st of October was Race Of The Year and i was on the same bill, i raced in the Alamo Trophy, and the F400 class. The weather was perfect especially for the last week in October, it was a bit chilly first thing in the morning but when the sun came out it was quite warm, so plenty of grip.

To be honest id entered in the Alamo Trophy not really knowing who or what kind of bikes would be in there, so i was a bit apprehensive to see that it was full of 1000's and 600's, some of which had raced or were racing at national level.......oh well i had nothing to lose so went out in first practice to get a feel for the bike, id completed nearly a full lap when i came out of the bus stop and the rear of the bike was all over, it felt like a flat tyre so i coasted to the end of pit lane and pulled in, it felt serious so needed to stop as soon as.

I pulled in and Rob and John were there (Rob was chief engineer at Foggy Petronas and works at BSB with us, John tuned and has basically built the bike you see today) to cast an eye on proceedings, Rob saw straight away that the rear hub was loose.......DOH!!! id adjusted the chain the previous day and forgotten to tighten it. It was a mad dash back to the truck, where rob and john did a great job to adjust the chain and tighten everything back up so i still had a few more mins to get some laps in, i duly went out and posted my fastest time at mallory, id done a 1:02.702 which put me 20th on times, beating some 1000's in the process which gave me confidence going into the race.

I was 17th on the grid and i thought i was last , but no there were late entries and there were about 3 or 4 bikes behind me.......this was lambs to the slaughter!!

Working my way through the field in race1

2007-10-06T17:45:00.000+01:00

Going for it in race 1

2007-10-06T17:42:00.001+01:00

Trying hard in race 2

2007-10-06T17:41:00.001+01:00

Race 2

2007-10-06T17:21:00.000+01:00

Well after the first race i was full of confidence, i was learning the track and and the weather was improving, it was now dry enough to put dry tyres on and this time i was gonna go for it. I was now starting from 24th on the grid so was looking for a decent result
The lights at club racing change from Red to off, its a 5 second delay, i should have learned that by now but again i got a terrible start, i seemed to go backwards, round the first fast right through the left then braking hard into the right hander, i thought i was picking up places on the inside of a few when somebody else came on the inside of me so i had to stand the bike up as i did that the front end of the bike was nearly taken off, i had lost quite a few places and was really pissed off.
Anyhow with the bit between my teeth i was back on it slowly picking places up, i had worked my way up to about 25Th and was in a bit of a tussle with another Honda and a Kawasaki.Both had more power but i was so much faster through a lot of the slower corners i just couldn't get past the Kawasaki, and after a few lap me and the other Honda were swapping places frequently.
We came past the start/finish for the final time and i knew this was the lap, the Honda and Kawasaki were both in front but round the first corner and i gained about 10 yards on them, round the 2Nd corner and i was on them both, hard on the brakes and i was past the Honda, through the next left then right and it was hard on the throttle and i was really close to the Kawasaki, now round the really fast right hander at village and i just couldn't get past, so the run up to Church and this is the fastest corner in the country, i just couldn't get past, so now it was the chicane before the start finish, i remembered the guy behind so i drifted to the middle of the track to hold what i though would be a defensive line, past the 200 board then the 150 now hard on the brakes, i wasn't getting past the guy in front then the guy behind had come up the inside and that was it, there was no way to get back past, over the start finish and that was it, a thrilling race well for me anyway.
I'd thoroughly enjoyed the day and it was so good to get back in the seat, a MASSIVE thanks to John for preparing the bike, she ran sweet as a nut and sounds awesome, cheers m8 for all your hard work and time and effort to get me on the bike, CHEERS!

Limbering up for Race 1

2007-10-02T23:58:00.000+01:00

Hard on the gas in race 1

2007-10-02T23:50:00.000+01:00

In deep thought, ready for race 2

2007-10-02T23:48:00.000+01:00

Warming the engine ready for race 2

2007-10-02T23:46:00.000+01:00

Thruxton 29-09-07

2007-10-02T23:15:00.000+01:00

Well i managed to stay on the bike both races and the engine stayed in one piece as expected. The weather was a bit unsettled but by the second race was dry.

Race 1

Well i managed the morning practice fairly easy enough and it didnt take too long to learn the track, i followed a few other riders and got a feel for the rain tyres i had put on, it was the first time in 9 months since i had raced the bike and the first time ever i had ridden on rain tyres, so i was a bit nervous to say the least....

Practice had been and gone and i now had to wait for the race, the weather was misersable early on but the temperature was getting up and the track was drying, this made things a bit tricky as i was still unsure on what tyres to use. It was about half hour from my race and thought id stick with rain tyres even though it was drying out but i had no way of telling by how much, one of those gambles i suppose.

The lights went red and then out it was go......well i made a real hash of the start and from the start i had gone backwards from 28th to near last, throught the first few fast corners then i started to get myself together, finding a good line and getting a bit of rythem, the track looked pretty much dry all the way round, well there was a dry line, and i tried to keep on it, i knew the rear tyre would last and the front felt really good even though i had felt it moving around early on.

A few laps had been and gone and i felt relaxed and in a rythem, the bikes in front were getting closer and my confidence grew, i was beginning to reel the bikes in front in and i only had a few laps left.

I knew where i was faster and was getting faster lap by lap, by now the tyres were moving around quite a bit but i was loving it the feel of the bike was great and i was getting to know the track and where i could make up time.

By now the last lap flag was out and i was on a mission to make up a few places, we rounded the 3rd then 4th corners and was now on the fast parts of the track i rounded village then on to church corner and i had really good drive,i was in about 30th position and i could see a gaggle of bikes closing in, there was the long run down to the chicane and i was gaining all the time, past the 300n yard marker and the bikes in front seem to shut off, within the next 150 yards i had passed about 6 bikes on the brakes and was into the final chicane, out on to the start finish and it was all over, what a final lap, i had finished 24th out of 35, and had set the 13th fastest lap time which i was well chuffed with..... Roll on race 2......

Finally my comeback race

2007-09-20T00:05:00.000+01:00

Its taken too long but its finally here, im down to race at Thruxton on the 29th of Sept with North Gloucester Club and i cant wait for it.

Its goin... g to be a one off ride at the fastest circuit in the country, which prob isnt the best place to run a new engine in but who cares, im finally going to get out on track and see how the new engine performs and an extremely fast circuit and with some fast club riders.

Keep watching this space for pictures and a full race report

Foo Fighters - Everlong - Live Earth

2007-08-19T15:16:00.001+01:00

Fly by @ Croft

2007-08-06T18:54:00.001+01:00

Ready to go.....almost..

2007-08-04T11:08:00.001+01:00

Well after months of struggling to find time to work on the bike, the engine is now finally built and in the frame. The carbs just need to be fit and touch wood the bike should be up and running.
It feels an absolute age since it ran and since i was on it which it has, it's almost 7 months!!!
But now things will hopefully get a move on and i can get out on the bike and set it up to suit me, maybe i'll race this year im not sure, i might just write this year off and do some testing and go at next year full on.
#watch this space and we'll see what happens in the coming weeks

Thank you..

2007-03-12T14:44:00.000Z

A quick thank you to HEL for the brake line kit for my bike, they look awesome and im sure will help towards in doing well this season.....thanks again

All HEL products inc brake lines and radiators can be purchased from www.complog.co.uk

Update....

2007-03-12T14:30:00.000Z

Well i've got my heads and block back from skimming, now all i need are the gaskets some elbow grease, johns help and the engine should be back together, i cant see me racing until possibly mid april but id rather the bike was running well than not how id want it, im just hoping everything runs smoothly and i can possibly get some track time maybe in the not too distant future and get some valuable testing done maybe not so much the engine but definitely the suspension.. heres hoping....

Si

2007-02-24T21:55:00.000Z

Just a bit of an update really, the heads and block have been sent to Bladon Brothers for skimming, and should be back within a few weeks, it feels an absolute age since i rode the bike and now i just cant wait to ride it again and especially with another 10-15bhp

Just hope i can out on a track day before too long to get back in the swing of things

bye for now

Bike awaiting the tuned engine

2007-01-21T20:43:00.000Z

A quick shout out to my trusty mechanic!

2007-01-20T21:47:00.000Z

Just a quick shout out to John Quail (shown here at the 2004 Manx GP) for all his time and efforts in tuning my engine, the Nc 35 is currently in the hands of John who has spent hours on end porting and generally preparing the heads and block for skimming.
So cheers pal for all your efforts and i hope i can show you how well the bike can go on track.

Pictures from Bike Sport News

2007-01-18T20:02:00.000Z

I managed to get pictures from BSN on the write up of the race from Mallory on Boxing day and yes you can see me in the back ground too!!!!!

Just removed waiting to be done

2007-01-11T22:49:00.000Z

As you can see this head has just been removed and the ports have carbon deposits, it might only think there's a small amount of work to be done regarding porting this head but going of the last head and the way that John takes pride in his work i think at least a full days work maybe slightly less to get it ready to go for skimming

Awaiting skimming

2007-01-11T22:44:00.000Z

The pic shows how the ports have been ground out and cleaned up, all thats needed now with this head is the valves being ground into the seats and the head skimming

Engine Tuning

2007-01-11T19:14:00.000Z

Well after only one race i've decided that im going to need more horsepower, i was riding the bike round Mallory as hard as i could and i managed a 13th place, i just thought that with more power i could definitely be top 10 and hopefully finish on the podium in the occaisional race, i know i was racing against a mixture of bikes but i know i could have done a lot better with a bit more power.

After several conversations with my now resident mechanic John Quail we came to the conclusion that we could get more power from the motor without affecting the reliabilty, the only initial problems he thought there would be would be the gear driven cams and until he took one of the rocker covers off he then realised it wouldn't be a problem, he estimated we could get another 10 horsepower with porting and skimming the heads and skimming the block, that would bring the total power upto approx 70 horsepower. So tuning has already begun, both heads are now off the block and with one head already ported the rear head is waiting the same treatment then the rest of the motor will be stripped and cleaned then the block and both heads will be sent away to be skimmed.

Hopefully the work will be completed in the next 6 weeks and back in the bike, then its onto the dyno to see if everything is setup right, then eventually i can find a track day to see how she goes, and hopefully then be ready for the start of the season on March 31st / April 1st at Croft.