BSB Round 10 Cadwell Park

The forecast was mega for the usually wet and miserable Bank holiday weekend, good job really with all the circuit’s camp-sites being fully booked.

As usual the week leading up to my local meeting was real busy with many PR engagements with radio TV etc.

Practice seemed to be a bit of a struggle for some reason, set-up of the Honda wasn’t very different from the test we had at the circuit a few weeks ago but couldn’t match the times.

The guys made some changes with the geometry to make the bike turn a little faster and I chose a harder front tyre to cure a chatter problem but fast laps still seemed very physical and hard work?

I also had some of the latest Dunlop rear tyres for the first time that take a little getting used to, there designed to spin but still keep driving forward which really suits my style!

By the time both free practices had finished we’d tested many tyres and lowered the front end of the Honda but was still struggling to hold a line. As usual with this problem I was trying extra hard and rushing into corners!

Again first qualifying was the same but we managed to find some settings for the last session that improved the Honda mid-corner. With my last qualifier fitted I was on a good lap half a second up on the entry to Mansfield when the red-flag came out.

That about sums up my luck, when the session re-started I still managed to lap faster on the part-worn qualifier but was out of the seat in a couple of places costing time.

My grid position was benefited by Denis Hobbs injury; he withdrew from the meeting meaning I was on the fourth row.

Warm-up went much better and I was confident with my race pace.

Still struggling to get the Fireblade off the start line with race one not being any improvement. Nineteenth on lap one left me an awful lot of work to do.

By lap six had moved through to eleventh position and had caught the pack in front, Buckingham, Thomas, Haydon and Rutter. Wanted to get past them soon as possible in case of any stoppages but as we entered bottom of the mountain on lap seven the front lost grip and down I went. I’d actually been pushing harder there the last three laps but was caught out this time…. The fairing had been decking out and had lifted the front end off the ground!

Race two’s start wasn’t much better, sixteenth on lap one but again made up good ground through to tenth position and had settled for that place. Was catching JR but made many mistakes basically through being too tired, first time in my career I’ve been physically tired whilst racing without injuries.

Was gifted ninth position after Richards crashed on the last lap.

Made some good improvements over the weekend even though the results didn’t show it, looking forward to Oulton Park!