Race Report...
Date: 01/07/07
Event: British Championship Rd 3
Track: Lydden Hill, Kent
Bike: Aprilia 550
Weather: Wet Qualifying, Dry Race

 
Qualifying

Qualifying was held in torrential rain that got worse as the session went on. I had to come in after the first lap to change my bike and then had to come in a few laps later to change my goggles. By now time was running out and I was down in 6th or 7th position with no real time but what was worse were the puddles that had accumulated during the session due to the rain. I managed to get a reasonable time in and as I crossed the line I could see the flag man preparing to end the session so I knew it would be my last flying lap. I pushed hard into the first corner but aquaplaned, losing the front quickly followed by the back end. Before I knew it I was 90 degrees to the track doing about 90 mph. I dtepped off the side of the bike and slid on my front all the way into the gravel trap and into the tyre wall. I hurt my wrist in the crash but thankfully I got away with it pretty much unscathed and took pole!
Finished: 1st

Race 1

I got the holeshot in front of Sam Warren and thought I would be able to pull out a gap but for some reason I was riding really tense and my arms pumped up after only about 4 laps. It was causing me real problems through the off-road section. I was holding off Warren until he fell on the off-road giving me an easy ride to the finish to take the win.
Finished: 1st

Race 2

I got a pretty rubbish start for race 2 and slotted into 4th. It actually did me a bit of good though because I was more relaxed and I found a better rhythm. I passed Sam Warren down into the very fast right hand bend and it was a nice pass. I then did the same to Ady Smith at the same place. By now Matt Winstanley had pulled out a gap of a few seconds and he was riding well. I set off after him and after a few laps of pushing I was right behind him. I motioned a pass before one of the off-road sections and could see that it would be a good place to pass so the very next lap I made it stick and took the lead. A few laps later he came back through coming out of the off-road where I was struggling to get good drive. I really didn't want to relinquish the lead at such a late time in the race so coming into the chicane after the fast right hander I motioned another pass. I didn't think I was going to make the pass and was ready to slot back in behind him but he must have seen my front wheel and sat right up allowing me through. Matt couldn't make the corner through sitting up though and came bouncng across the grass and clipped my rear end on the way through. We both managed to stay up though. A lap later and the rain began to fall heavily and the red flags came out handing me the win.

Finished: 1st

Race 3

For the final race I got the holeshot again from pole but this time I didn't want any challengers and I pushed hard right from the beginning. Sam Warren was doing a good job in 2nd but I was gapping him each and every lap which is exactly what I wanted to see. I then held about a 5 second gap all the way to the flag

Finished: 1st