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JEREZ TRIP 2004
Sat 31st After observing the weather forecast on the telly, which warned about force 10 gales in the south, I was a bit worried about the situation leaving the island (ferries cancelled due to high winds etc.) Fired up the Blue van, and was on the 17.30 ferry to Southampton. The ferry was on time, and the old blue van was on its way up the M3 (with a bit of yawing due to the high winds) on route to Grays (near Tilbury), to stay the night with young Pete, who was my travelling companion to Jerez. At the Dartford crossing the QE2 bridge was closed due to the wind and there was a queue to go through the tunnel. Found Pete’s place, and then cups of tea and cheese on toast were consumed before bed. Sun 1st Totally disorientated, woke up at 0400 to make the trip to Stanstead as a passenger in Pete’s car…made the airport on time and checked in the gasbag* and departed on time to Malaga. Picked up gasbag* from baggage claim and hire car and away . Pete drove to Jerez (He knew the way) with myself map reading. A couple of map reading errors (who was at fault ?)and geographical corrections, and we were on our way west to Jerez at a rapid pace. Arrived at the circuit abut 1430 to suss out the situation and check out the atmosphere. The bikes were not yet unloaded from the lorries so it was back to the hotel via Burger King (urghh!) to check in and clean up. Then a few beers and yarns and so to bed. Both rather tired! Mon 2nd 0745 and down to brekkers …(The Spanish tea is rather weak so 3 bags are necessary in the pot!!) Away in the hire car via the ironmonger/electrical shop to purchase a blue connector for the cable reel to enable power to the tyre warmers, and then to the circuit at 0845. The garage facilities are really good with water, air and electric all laid on. Checked the gear from the lorry…all OK. First spanner job was to change the front pads as I could see that the thickness was down a bit and the fluid level was low. Any way, done in a jiffy and after changing the 13 amp plug to the blue connector, the tyre warmers were fitted, plugged in and then it was just wait for the heat to permeate through to the rims. The ironing board legs/front wheel stand worked a treat and one chap said “where did you buy that?” Gurnard hospital* was the reply! Fuelled up from the jerrycans filled from the petrol station outside the circuit, and then it was down to scrutineering after signing on. The official said ”no lockwire on the drain plug mate!”, and prompted by Pete answered ”Blue Loctite,Mate!”. Got my sticker on the fairing, and then rarin’ to go. Helped Pete with sprocket change…and his quote was, ”real cheap bit of tuning , just £22” really, a good bit of spannering!! At long last tyre warmers off all booted and spurred, out on the track to try and learn some lines… With the old brain being so addled it might take some time!! First impressions were that the track was grippy and smooth, well defined apexes and wide, but one must realise that the lap times on the first day were touring pace …musn’t overdo it!. (Of course its smooth and wide at this pace.) As the session progressed it started to get a bit sweaty inside the leathers and some damp patches to contend with…(It had rained early in the morning) but soon OK and improving lines and laps and really enjoying the track. In for a tank-up and out again. This routine continued till afternoon and the final session out with Pete and me a couple of bike lengths behind on the left before the start/finish straight…one chap (a German) did a do or die attempt to get by Pete on the outside on the left-hander and I saw the whole scenario, and I thought,this is going to end in tears, and it nearly did as body contact was made and they both wobbled into the kitty litter, thankfully both uprght. I made a rude sign as I turned onto the start/finish straight and the next lap they were gone, so that was OK (no red flags). Continued a few more laps and pulled in…it was great!!!!!! Decided to call it a day.. (musn’t overdo it !) The tyre warmers were in place for tomorrow , tidied up a bit and it was back to the Hotel for a shower and drinks on the verandah, not necessarily in that order! Then it was down to the hotel bar for a few beers and yarns about the days performances and out for a pizza and bed, well needed! Tues 3rd Woke up a bit stiff in the old joints, sort out and down to brekkers. Not a bacon sandwich to be seen anywhere, so, when in Rome! It was smoked salmon and coffee, (good mixture??). In the hire car with heavy dew on the windows and out to the circuit. Got sorted out and out on the track at 11.30. I did say that we were taking it easy! Pete and myself hired transponders from the Swiss Moto organisers and fixed them on the bikes with cable ties. After this there was no bullshit about lap times, it was in black and white! After the results were obtained both Pete and myself were a bit disappointed…It turned out that we were not as quick as we had hoped. Our lap times were 2.17, but after lunch(an apple) we had turned in 2.13 (I really must get below 2.10). The bike and tires were OK, but blisters were appearing on the right hand and the bum bones were becoming a bit sore. There was only 1\4 “ neoprene between me and the glassfibre seatpan. At this point Pete changed his rear tyre as it was a bit worse for wear. I had a bit of trouble with the right hand going dead after some laps, it felt like I was holding a beercan instead of a twistgrip and of course one had to make allowances for this sadly in lap times, I mean that the right hand must also control the front brake. But one thing was quite clear, to reduce lap times, the corner speed must be increased. I had found that the right knee was not grounding hard or often enough. So the next task was to make sure it did. In the middle of the afternoon it started to get quite hot, and Pete complained of being plumb tuckered out, and the last session was commenced at 1645 with a large northern laddie from our pit garage on a Suzuki GSX750….must say I left him for dead!! Tidied up pit garage and back to hotel for DOTV (drinks on the verandah). This time went for a swim in the hotel pool with my famous 1964 bathing trunks… I did not hear any applause! Then it was a few beers and a chinese after Pete had spent far too long in the bath alleviating his aches and pains. In bed at 1030. Felt quite stiff in the joints. Not enough cod liver oil! On falling asleep, I wondered, what will tomorrow bring? 4th Feb Up at 0815 as usual for brekkers..This time surprise,surprise , smoked salmon and fruit salad and tea with 3 bags in the pot. Felt a bit sore still, otherwise OK. Today I must try to break the 2.10 barrier! Arrived at the circuit, tyre warmers on and fuel up. It didn’t go too bad…right handers a bit uncertain due to flat on right side of tyre. Tried again but still no good. Pete doing OK with his lap times coming down. Went out with the two northern lads from our garage..no probs, blew them right out!! After lunch decided to change to the new tyres (Metzler RS1 And 2.) Went out and scrubbed them in, and immediately it felt much better on right handers. I hope that the lap times come down! I had just come after a session, when who should come into the pit garage but Charlie and Sarah! (Friends from the Island). It was nice to see them and the usual banter took place. After lunch the Sprint race took place. Myself, Charlie and Sarah enjoyed watching it. Afterwards it was back to the hotel for DOTV, and evening meal at the hotel. 5th Feb Nice morning again and the usual brekkers after which out to the circuit early to be on the track at 10.00. It felt a bit chilly round the neck. Managed to get a few 2.12 laps in (definitely off the pace). In the afternoon was another 15 lap race in which Pete took part and me as spannerman. Pete was a bit nervous and the warm-up laps were flagged away and Pete was at the back of the grid for the start. The lights went green and Pete got a bad start and did’nt seem to get on the pace until the latter part of the race. But it must be said that Pete must be given credit taking part, compared to many “fast boys” who did not bother! After the race, I was out again having good rides, chasing blokes and taking them. Packed up at 18.00 and back to hotel for shower and change, then across road for a steak with Jeremy, after which it was back to hotel for nightcaps and bed. 6th Feb Awoke and the usual routine before filling the jerrycans and water bottle purchase at the filling station outside the circuit. Charlie and Sarah turned up at 11.00 and I went out for a session. I must say it felt a bit ragged, but then I found out I was doing 2.09’s. I was still having trouble with the right hand going numb after a few laps. 12.00 to 16.00 was the endurance race. I observed that there was some pretty quick blokes out there!! The scream of the 600’s and the wail of the 1000 fours in contrast to the throaty roar of the Ducati’s made it a feast to the ear and eye. I went out for another session at 16.30 and it felt a bit better, but I was held up by a german bloke on Suzuki TL1000 for 3 laps, but managed to out brake him and get by only to be held up again by a chap on a Ducati. When I came in ,I went round to the suzuki riders garage and complimented him on his ‘defence’ of his line and his reply was (in a thick german accent ) “Das ist your problem ,not mein”, anyway, the ‘flow’ was definitely better now. We were then entertained by Bob ‘The cat’ doing rolling doughnuts in the paddock. Packed up at17.45, to hotel for DOTV and then pizza times 2 and bed. 7th Feb Went through the usual routine and out to circuit. Today the weather was a bit cloudy but good. I went out for the first session, and on returning to the garage, Charlie and Sarah were there, so I had to go out again and it felt pretty good. I had a ’flow’ going and found out that I had a 2.08. In the afternoon I had more good rides but could not better the 2.08 but consistent 2.09’s. Pete stayed out until the end and managed to turn in a 2.09. (well done quick brew). We both decided to call it a day after which all our gear was packed up and the bikes loaded into the lorries. Considering the early start in the morning (5.30), we made it an early night after another pizza with the northern lads. 8th Feb Up at 5.30, checked out with gasbag* in hand and on the road to Malaga at 06.00 with Pete driving. There were foggy patches in the low lying terrain which made it tiring. I took over the driving about halfway as I could see Pete’s eyelids drooping and made it to the airport in good time to check in the gasbag.* We picked up Pete’s car at Stanstead and after arriving at Grays, picked up the blue van and I eventually made it home at around 18.30, totally drained in body and mind. I really must go again next year!! *Gurnard
Hospital........The Place where sick motorcycles get cured |
