The Biker Place

Donnington, a tight, technical track that has over the years produced spectacular motorcycle racing at every level of competition from your average track day through to the blue riband class of the prestigious MOTO GP series.

On arrival at donnington the weather greeted us with its usual un-settled inclement self by not knowing what the hell it was up to! Giving everyone a bloody headache as to set up! Jay took to the track for the free practice session just to get in the zone and get a feel for the track surface. On completion of the session the bike went straight to the ohlins suspension doctor to have its new all singing / dancing 25mm fork cartridge internals fitted.

FIRST QUALIFYING POSITION 20th LAP TIME:- 1:40.570 CONDITIONS:- DRY,BRIGHT

Jay found it difficult at first to feel any improvement in handling but after pitting, some alterations were made which to Jay felt a lot better. The one thing still very apparent was the 7m.p.h. deficiency to the yamaha’s but Jay was determined and made positive further progress.

MANAGER’S COMMENTS

After the initial free practice we hardened up the front compression and slowed the rebound. Jay proceeded to make great improvements and qualified 20th only 1.5 seconds off pole, and with still more work to do regarding the front end we were really pleased with his progress

JAY:- QUALIFYING 1 COMMENTS.

At first I felt very little improvement in the handling to the front but with further adjustment we found that you only need very small adjustment to make the bike sweeter handling, or make it handle like a drunken camel!!! But thanks to my team, the feedback I gave them throughout the session, they soon got to grips with making the changes positive and I ended the session looking forward to qualifying two

SECOND QUALIFYING, POSITION 15th LAP TIME 2:00.749 CONDITIONS:- RAIN / WET

The day started dry but unfortunately went rapidly downhill from there on in!! The rains came and with it a gusty breeze, but this did not deter Jay in gaining some valuable wet weather testing on a track notorious for its lack of grip!! The initial laps Jay put in saw him getting quicker and quicker, with a pit to give the bike a softer setting on the rear; Jay went out to reduce his lap time to within three seconds off pole in the wet. As the session was drawing to a close Jay was on it for a faster lap but high sided exiting redgate bringing his qualifying to an abrupt end!!

On return to parc ferme both Jay and Steve (team manager) were smiling and in high spirit due to the fact that it had been Jay’s best session in the wet getting quicker, and the bike, even though high siding had only suffered light easily repairable damage!!

MANAGERS COMMENTS

I, along with Mike Hawthorn (Jay’s mentor/mechanical support) witnessed Jays off track jaunt!! But we were really pleased with his overall performance. Coming into redgate Jay picked up on Mike’s comments and tipped in a lot later, giving him much better drive into Hollywood and entry down into craner curves. Only one rider passed Jay throughout the session as we could see from our vantage point going through that sector, we knew then that Jay was pushing for quicker lap times and looked more and more comfortable with every lap completed

JAY:- QUALIFYING TWO COMMENTS

I felt really confident going into qualifying two, even though it was a wet session. With the changes made post qualifying one, the bike handled really well and gave me the confidence to run deeper and brake later into corners!! I knew I had the set up to go faster but was a little too hot exiting redgate and took to the tarmac!! But huge thanks go to Guy and Luigi from RACE BY DESIGN who provided me with my new leathers and helmet set up which performed absolutely fantastic during my spill and suffered only a minor scuff!! Their continuing support is really appreciated, Thanks guy’s.

RACE DAY

Come the race, due to Jay’s previous days qualifying in the wet, the team were quietly praying for a wet race to even things up in the lack of power department!! But alas even though it threatened, the rain stayed away!! Race was go and jay got off to a good start keeping position but the front six runners were away and soon created a gap. Jay made steady progress lap by lap and ended up finishing in 13th position.

MANAGER’S COMMENTS

I felt Jay had done well in all departments and given a good performance, but we have now decided to go back to the drawing board, After trying to get the most out of the bike, the conclusion is we need to change the package to give Jay a better chance against the more powerful yamaha’s, how we do this at this present time part way through the season we don’t know, but time is short and various avenue’s are being considered, we have put the Honda package up for sale, even though it is a great machine in the handling department and would be great bike at Club level or changed to super sport spec, in stock spec it lacks to much against the Yamahas. Last year in The European superstocks Jay and Leon Hunt were on the same Honda bikes and were regularly battling for position.

At Donnington Leon led the race until having a ride through penalty whilst riding the Yamaha. This is were Jay needs to be and it Can only be done if we Get a Yamaha. We are desperately trying to find the funds to achieve this but are struggling. If any body feels they can help it would be greatly appreciated.

On a Happier Note We now have the new awning fitted to the race truck 7mtrs x 6mtrs twice the size of our current set up which hope fully now, will enable us to entertain our guest in a much more professional manner. This has come about because of Sponsorship from Mitie Maintenance Division in Salford. And we would like to express our Gratitude to Mark O,Grady for his kind Donation and interest in Jays career.

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