Monday we woke up to sun and the start of a hot, sunny day. After the usual formalities we (us lads) headed out in the fast group for the sighting laps. This was split up into two with Moo going off first and James (Chappers) and me in the second group. Ten minutes later saw both me and James back in the pits after a red flag in shock, I had to ride faster in the sighting laps than anytime the day before, it was looney !
When Moo came in he cheered us both up by saying that his group was really slow (and had been overtaken by the second group which caused big confusion) but at least he confirmed us three weren’t the slowest in the group.
After the first proper session it transpired that it was indeed a very fast group (to me anyway) with only 2 / 3 other riders that I could overtake. I was prepared for some close overtakes and wasn’t disappointed, but only really stood up badly once in the hairpin by a quick guy who wanted my bit of racetrack. Moo can tell you the name of the one very quick guy (racer) who was there, but his speed was just something else. I seriously doubt that he even noticed us on track. There was a fair few “offs” and 4 / 5 red flags in the day but nothing that held people up to badly. It’s a bit surreal watching a guy rolling about on the grass, arms and legs flailing, as you try concentrate on the next corner.
Moo and I had a couple of great tussles, at one point with us both going up Coppice side by side close enough that I could have reached out and tickled his ribs (which I should have done as I chickened out first on that occasion). James was enjoying his new slicks and at one point I was sure he was going to need elbow sliders !
The last session for us came just before the rain (good timing) and I was chuffed to monkeys to spend the whole session six feet behind James and to mug him under braking at Park. I’m sure he’ll explain the reasons I was able to do this (racing excuse 34b if I remember right James) ;-p

Moo had decided by then he shouldn’t be playing silly farts and “racing us” and was concentrating on developing his lines and techniques on track, something I really wish I was able to do but am to juvenile to stick to. I must try harder at Oulton.

Meanwhile, Lucinda and Shammy had been joined by Shelia who was bike sharing with Shammy for the day and all three were getting faster. It was brilliant watching Lucinda’s smile getting bigger with every session. I can only imagine how much fun it must be being a “girly” and overtaking the macho men out there  I think their progress will be quickened up, like mine would be, by just being braver in the corners, but all of you know how hard that is when your “safe sensible” brain is saying “brake” and your “trackday” brain is saying don’t !

The Gixer behaved perfectly (well apart from my gear lever falling off) and did me proud, and mechanically all our bikes were fine.
The step up into the fast group was good and I’ll stick there from now on and hope to learn from the others in the group, I’m still to cautious on overtaking slower people (it’s the Gentleman in me) and I still run out of bollocks on the corners, but it’s getting better.

I must admit I really think I’m lucky being able to go on trackdays with our lovely ladies. It makes the whole thing so much less macho and much more fun. I know we all want to do our best but after all it isn’t “racing” and isn’t life or death, so having fun is important.
Finally, thank you Lucinda, who puts up with my pre and post trackday verbal diarrhoea for many miles of motorways and is always there to remind me how often I put my foot in my mouth ;-) x You have just got to love a Yorkshire Gal !

I would be great to see more of the old crowd on track this summer, Charley, Nick, Mikkie, Flick, we miss you !
I’d like to do another in August or early Sept if possible so will be bombarding you all with possible dates soon. Double headers, although more expensive are better as the best tracks are quite far away and it also gives you a better chance of some time on a dry track in our unpredictable British climate. Saying that, we have a few closer ones (Mallory) that we could do in a day OK.

Yours
Longwindedly

Gerry