Watching from the side lines

Snetterton, round 3,

It seemed like I had travelled back in time, to last year! when I spent the whole year watching,apart from the occasional trackday.
Watching from the side lines isn't so bad....... oh hell!, who am I trying to kid? It sucks!
I'd rather be out there, in the mix.
Actually, I really enjoyed myself. It was just the uncertainty of when I would be riding next. With my engines in pieces, everything is a maybe. Anyway, I'll get to that later....

On the way to Snetterton, we dropped off Phil's engine components at Steve Spencer's and had a good chat about what we were exactly going to do to the FZ motor. Then, off we went to get to the circuit before dark.
We got there to find Gyles and Chris had bagged the spot we had recommended from last year's experience. A good vantage point to be able to see the exit of Corums and the whole of Russle's chicane and onto the start straight...excellent.



Without going into loads of detail, Gyles's Guzzler had nothing but problems, but when it did go ok, he was absolutly flying! It seems Snetterton's fast straights suited the Guzzi well.
I know he had a great time and managed to bag some good points too!
The guys from Alto Performance came to the rescue of the guzzler.
It finished 1 out of the 4 races and went home with more problems than it arrived with. :-(




Gyles chases down John Hall on his aprilia "dirt bike"

Phil chases Dave Shannon on his FZR 750. We may not see Dave on the FZR anymore. He's decided to take his 400 out for the rest of the season. I think he is selling FZR, so we may at least see it in the hands of some one else. I hope so!

Phil enjoyed himself very much and managed some points as well to open his account.
Seems I've got some catching up to do.
Well I may just be able to do just that!......


After talking myself into, and then out of, riding my RSV in the Forza Extreme class at the next round at Cadwell, I decided to give Steve Spencer a call to see what the chances of getting one of the motors sorted, in what ever state of tune, to get me out in time for the next race.
I had spent the journey home from Snetterton, trying to work out some way of racing and not having to miss any more track action. Steve agreed to have a look and call me later in the week with the diagnosis.
Wednesday came.I was expecting a call but my patience got the better of me and I decided to call him........ good news! He had found a good block, some new rings, skimming of the head as it was warped, some new valve seals and a good clean up and valve seat grinding. He has found me a pipe to borrow, and some velocity stacks. A session in the dyno room and tweeking of the carbs should see her in good shape. Anything has to be a vast improvment on what I had before.

So an early departure up to Steve's, where upon his insistance, we will put the motor in at his workshop, rather that at the track as I had suggested. Good idea I guess. His experience is not to be sniffed at and I would take his advice over anything I could come up with.


Phil at Cadwell last summer, entering Hall Bends.....



and climbing up the Mountain.

So I have Cadwell Park to look forward to!
I really didn't want to miss this round. Cadwell is an amazing circuit set in excellent surroundings. A real circuit!



KIDNAPPED.......!
One titanium fork, one titanim spoon or knife....I can't remember which, plus two plastic tubs and a pack of bacon!
I was planning on melting down the titanium stuff but gas is so expensive these days. Shame, they would have made some nice light weight fittings for my bike. Phil talked me into giving them back..... Gyles and Chris are such nice guys, I guess they deserve them returned!
See you at Cadwell guys, I'll cook something nice, and I'll use our own cutlery....promise.
We did eat the bacon though, It would have gone off anyway!....nice.