The Biker Place

After finding out Jay was in the title hunt for the David Jefferies Memorial Trophy, Currently in 3rd place which is open to all entrants 18 years and under. We decided to head down to Snetterton in the hope that we may be able to get valuble points. We knew we were going to struggle here due to the enormous straights, but were not ready for what happened. Firstly being parked up in the middle of a rough field didnt help, especialy having to put the new awning up for the first time, Compliments of Mitie Maintenance and The Awning Co.

In first free practice we found our first thoughts to be true, we should of had a weekend out. Jay was 14mph down on the back straight and even though he was very fast through the twisties, again was out dragged up the home straight being overtaken even before he hit the end of pitlane. If you know Snetterton there is stll 1/2 a mile left to lose another 75 yards.

The same happened throughout Qualifying. Jay had started to struggle with a grabbing front disc, which in the end we decided to switch after Qualifying, by this time it was to late, for the first time in Jays 5 years of riding he failed to Qualify. We were all gutted! 41st fastest 40 on the grid.

From 1st place to 41st was seperated by 1.9 seconds the first 10 by 1 second the next 30 by 9 tenths of a second “it takes longer to say it”.Fortunately or unfortunately depending on who you are 2 people were injured during qualifying and we slipped into 39th on the grid, alongside his old adversary Alex Gault on the Astro Kawasaki also suffering the wrath of the R6s, but not quite as badly as the Honda.

We now had the chance of the warm up in the morning to test the changed discs. Immediately Jay was able to brake so much later he increased his straight line speed by 5 mph, still 9 mph down but hey whats 9 mph as they say in MotoGP ie. Stoner Domination!

Before the race I told Jay no matter what happens today, we will be running an R6 at the next Meeting, even if i have to sell my pension! With that Jay felt much more upbeat and detemined that his efforts would be rewarded.

Jay got of to a good start but up hill to the first corner was always going to be hard, the usual bumping and elbows at dawn pursued and luckily most got through. Jay waited for the first attack at Corram to make his move, and continued with the same all through the race, only to be passed on the straights.

In total Jay managed to Get up to 25th place, taking no less than 14 scalps on the way, some people he had to pass no less than 3 times, sometimes taking 2 at a time around Coram and through Russells, from the pitlane he looked awesome, i would like to know how he looked from a nearer vantage point. Shaving a full second of his fastest ever time, and within 1.4 seconds of the fastest lap, 17th fastest lap time on track. A Dissapointing position, an unbelievable effort given the tools at Jays disposal, can we find 1.4 seconds a lap? 14 brake horsepower down and 9 miles per hour and without a slipper Clutch. You bet we can! watch this space!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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