Sour Racing - Mr Sours' Journal

I was unable to compete in the Formula 600 class & the Novice Race, Both were full. I was 1st reserve for the F600 but had no chance with getting a shot at the novice race.
Anyway I did not get a position in the 600. So I was in for a penny in for a pound and I entered the Open class (175-1300cc) and the Build base trophy, which is basically the main event for the non-novices (again 175-1300cc)...

1st race of the day, not just mine but overall, just happened to be the Build base trophy 1st heat... Great I'm up 1st, I thought, so got out an qualified (18th) and put a few demons to rest, I did a 1:02.7 qualification time. (previous best on this track was 1:05.6) which I was pleased about.

However for the build base trophy heat you have to your starting position out of a hat, because qualification is per class and the build base is mixed class. I pulled 11, cracking I thought not up front, nice mid pack. Unfortunately when I went to go out I was stopped as I was a late entry they did not have me down to race, so I missed my warm up lap and but it eventually got sorted, so I joined the pack at the back of the grid 33rd position...

Well lights went out and a massive wheelie ensued and the HUGE grin started, I passed a few but then the race got stopped on lap 3, after a delay I had to start again at 33rd (4/5 faller's didn't restart), anyway another wheelie and I was back racing, with now only 5 laps to do (-1 due to second warm up lap). I ended up, 23rd (out of 24 restarter's), my lap time was now 1:00.817.

Starting at the back had it's advantages as it helped me start racing with less going on around me and for that, I'm grateful...

Had to wait until Race 6 the 1st open event, this was nerve wracking. Started 18th on the grid based on my qualification and finished 19 out of 23 with a best lap time of 1:00.392.

Race 10 Build base Trophy Final, I made a final!!! (There was only 1 heat :) ), my times slowed up a little, I think due to catching people but not being quick enough or brave enough to pass, more ruthless next time. Anyway started 23rd, finished 22nd, with a best time of 1:02.080.

My last race was the second open Race 15, my times slowed up a little again as above started 18th, finished 17th, with a best of 1:02.656

All in all racing against a majority of thousands, IMHO I did OK for my first race and better than expected, and to cut over 5 seconds off my lap time was a shocker, would have loved to have broken the minute, well that's my next aim sorted...

The most impressive and humbling thing was people (paying) coming to watch and being clapped for racing.

After a massive amount of messing around trying to getting my ACU licence, I finally received it with a day to spare. A big thank you to all at EMRA for their help and the ACU. I managed to get a position on the grid to race...

After deciding to try and compete in the EMRA F600 class I thought it was best to try and get out and do some laps around Mallory Park, as I have never ridden there. I was not my normal confident self that day, although it did not help seeing ice on the track and the sessions being delayed due to ice, plus a nice chap then left a trail of oil all around Gerard's, thankfully a little off the racing line.

Anyway I got a few laps in, got used to the bike, race gearing was harder to get used to than I expected, and when I thought I had it sorted, I got buzzed going into Edwina's which completely messed me up and i almost ran on, by the ended the day i was doing 1:05-1:07's with a best of 1:05.6ish.

The Decision To Race

For awhile I've been toying with the idea of club racing, I first thought that after a good year of track riding, I'd be ready to try my hand at club racing.
However, after about 10 track days I got a little disheartened and lacked belief in my ability to pass people after catching them, this was then compounded with a big off at Croft and made me decide put back my racing career another year (i.e. 2009).

However whilst walking home one night I tripped and hurt myself quite badly, after a quick chat/persuasion with someone on SBF (superbikeforums see links) I decided that you only come this way once.