Oulton Park 2010

The first round of the 2010 season

Ok, so we loaded up pretty much everything we own and packed it into our luxury cazza and tranny van (around the 2 kids) and left home 2 hours later than planned! We hit the road (and the traffic) and arrived about 6 hours later, very tired and needing to stretch our cramped legs.

What then followed can only be described as camper/caravan shuffle to get all seven caravans into the allocated area so that we had the wonder of electricity in our caravan! Watching several men debating the best methods of fitting everyone in was definitely an experience. Once every one was in place we had created a maze through the middle and it took several attempts to find our way to our caravan door.

I was then in my element as I was left to unpack the caravan while the bike etc was unloaded into the Team Norbar garage. Once I was happy that the living accommodation was ready (kettle on, tv and xbox set up, radio blaring, kids beds set up for crashing out, etc, etc) then it was time for pot noodles all round. Several glasses of wine followed while Kev and Moose stuck stickers on their bikes with pinpoint accuracy (for the entire evening!). Team bonding was the order of the day as we all had a bit of a catch up and at 12.30pm we decided it really was time to get some sleep.

An early start was in order for noise testing at 9am and the boys were due out in the 2nd session of the day so it didn’t allow much time to get a failure, thankfully all the boys in our garage passed without any problems so went out on track straight away. Meanwhile in the caravan a 10 year old and a 13 year old slept on.

The day passed in bright sunshine and sessions were called, bikes being tweaked, tea being drunk and the WAG’s exchanging stories of being poor bike widows for the last few months. The kids finally emerged around 12.30pm.

Kev was out in the 400’s and the YPM’s so had several sessions to get out for in the morning, all passing without too many problems. New rubber was required so this was the next job before the afternoon qualifying session for the 400 race. The bike and Kev needed to have technical inspection (scrutinering) before entering, this is where the problems began. The first attempt was refused due to a loose front bearing, so Moose and Kev set about trying to figure out how to tighten it (hitting a screwdriver into it with a hammer!) before the second attempt which was refused as it was still loose. The 400 qualifying session was out in 10 mins so that was out the window while more investigations went on.

Mr Fish (sir) Kev and Moose then proceeded to strip down the front of the bike (off with the fairing, handle bars, front forks etc) to reveal the bearing. I then left to get a cuppa and was later informed that the bearing was loose (and not working properly) because it was in upside down. Another lesson learned by apprentice Kev but a quick fix, thankfully. Lots of jibes then followed while reassembling everything, until fish tightened a bolt and sheared off its head. Cue replacement part and home fix next week. Meanwhile I had decided to get dinner on as two starving kids won’t wait forever for dad to fix the bike! Spaghetti Bolognese was whisked up in our lovely kitchen and enjoyed around our dining table.
Having eaten and had a glass (or 2) of wine we decided to walk the track. It was great to see the track from up close and appreciate the skill needed to ride through each corner at speed and to see the severely steep banking on the hairpin. It was a pitch black night when we finally completed the circuit and quite late so we headed into the warm caravan for an early(ish) night.

Race day was upon us, the sun was shining, and we were up early for scrutinering which the bike passed with a bearing up the right way. So fuel levels were checked and nerves started to rise as warm up sessions got underway. Once all groups had their warm ups race 1 was on, and then off again as a crash meant the red flags were waved. This just meant longer for the nerves to take hold but everyone was holding themselves together well. Both Fish and Kev were out in the 400’s race (race 2) so the bikes were warmed up and ready to get going.

Eventually they were called and were on their way. Kev was under strict instructions to just scrub his tyres, not to go crazy. So having finished the race and feeling quite happy with the bike we were all looking forward to the YPM’s first race.

After lunch the nerves were definitely on show both on and off the track for the start of the new term. The boys all went out and lined up on the grid. After a warm up lap, they all got away and Kev finished in one piece (thankfully) in 18th with Mr Fishwick having his first DNF for a very long time. For Kev it was then back in and tyre warmers on, refuel, etc, etc ready for the next outing and getting stuck in to help Fish get his bike up and running again.

Race two for the YPMers was just after 4pm and having successfully repaired the bike Mr Fish was at the back of the grid but at least he was out there. Into turn 1 he was midpack and he finished the race in 9th place – well done sir. Kev finished in 20th and we were happy that we got through the weekend without any scrapes or any major mechanical problems. When we went to the race office to collect the times sheet we were informed that Kev had won the spot prize from Norfolk Line of £30 – BONUS!

Race meeting number 1 of 2010 being over we packed up and went off to a campsite down the road for a peaceful night of sleep before the long journey home. We spent a few very happy hours in the luxury cazza of Mr & Mrs Fish – thank you for a very entertaining evening.

Commiserations to Norbar team mate Moose – having had mechanical problems on Friday’s practice he then missed race day due to illness and had to get go home early. (And my sympathies go to poor Jane who had to get him there).
Next up is Pembrey.