14 Feb 2010
The CTC day
It’s been a while since my last blog – mainly because I haven’t had to do anything towards getting the bike ready. However, Kev has been merrily working away in the garage, crashing and banging around and he now has what resembles a bike sitting all nice and spangly new on the paddock stands. We have yet to see if it actually starts never mind anything else.
Mmm Comfy!
The CTC day….
14th February, although usually known for being a romantic day, actually marked our first YPM outing in the new caravan. We arrived on Saturday evening to Brands Hatch and set up our cazza before touring the garages. The evening was spent (as is usual at these events) with all hands on deck to rebuild a bike which was a little less than race prepared. In between jobs we ate a proper meal cooked in our proper oven in our lovely caravan and we all started to have a drink or two and the boys spent the evening tinkering with the bike. By 11pm with a very grateful “Big Tone” and a bike that was at least running on all cylinders the YPMers proceeded to have a few more drinks before turning in for the night.
The following morning we woke to find a damp track and as the snow began to fall we doubted that there was going to be any track time that day. It did stop snowing though after a few hours, leaving a very wet circuit. It was with some very nervous looking rookies that 2 hours later the track was declared safe and everyone got ready to get out there and start their YPM careers. Meanwhile I cooked a full English on my very effective cooker in our lovely warm caravan.
Firsts things first – a meeting was called by Mr Fish (sir) for a chat with all the rookies and then after a few other groups went out and dried the circuit a little the boys went out.
A rabble of YPMers had arrived throughout the morning and were offering their help and advise to anyone willing to listen.
After a session or two everyone seemed much happier with things and they got into their stride. We had one faller, who managed to get back to the garage where the bike was repaired with the usual gaffer tape and cable ties and he went back out in the next session. The only other failure was from a clutch which didn’t want to play anymore.
The boys practiced their race start and all got away ok, no stallers in our bunch and no bunny hopping either.
As dusk fell the last session started and stopped again after a superteen chucked himself (on a bike which wasn’t his) down the track at the exit of clearways. Apparently this was his third crash of the day so I doubt he will be joining the racing this year!
Generally a good day was had by all and everyone is looking forward to April when hopefully it will be a bit warmer and less snowy.
