Tit to Tank
Profile
At about aged 15/16, my friend Ben decided to teach me how to ride a motorbike and I knew instantly that it was something I wanted to do permanently. Sadly, it was not until I was 20 that I bit the bullet and booked my test, and 25 when I finally had enough money to buy a motorbike. I plodded about on my Kawasaki Ninja 300 for nearly a year when I got hit by a car, forcing me to buy a new bike.
The Yamaha XJ6N was my first bike love and the first bike to go on track. In 2017, we did Mallory, Rockingham and Silverstone Stowe circuit together. Sadly, an accident on the road in July left the bike written off and me not far behind. A broken back, most ribs on the right side, my ACJ (surgically fixed) and the usual cuts and bruises left me off the bike for 9 months.
Come March 2018, ready to start again, I bought a Yamaha YZF R6 5EB. We did Donny twice and a Welsh road trip before it became clear she was not going to survive my riding style. With a trackday booked I had my eye set on the CBR900RR Honda. A few days after buying her, I rode to Snetterton for an Open Pit Lane and we got on really, really well.
A few more track days go by (Snett again, Donny twice and Rockingham 2019) and I decided to bite the bullet and do my ACU for the Ladies Race at Donington. Sadly, Buzzy the Fireblade had different ideas; blowing a spark plug at Rockingham and shagging the thread on the cylinder head a couple of weeks before the race. I spent the next 51 days buying parts and rebuilding the engine. I missed the race but, learnt a lot about my bike!
2020 I entered the race club with the intention of racing the 'Blade in the classic class. First race was scheduled for March 21st... Lockdown came. When the season started, I wasn't brave enough to go racing and I had no idea where to start.
I rode up to Mallory in June for a trackday and hated riding the 'Blade there- combined with my tiny frame and size we were not suited for the tight flickback of the Bus Stop chicaine. Plus, with an overcrowded intermediate group and global pandemic, I didn't really feel like pushing my luck. Afterwards, I started looking for a 600cc but then wimped out of committing to a race bike.
In July, I rode up to Brands Hatch Indy for a Bennett's track day. It was my first time at Brands but after going out with an instructor I got moved to the advanced group and found myself doing a 55 second lap (with warped front discs may I add). Had a great day and found my love of track again.
I then did Snett in August but found out after the first session, and somewhat embarrassingly, that the fork didn't have oil in one side and barely any the other. They had never leaked in the 2 years I had her, so I guess that means they never had oil... With some people who knew what they were doing helping me out, I got a quick 30mL top up, We soon found out there was a VERY leaky seal and had oil all over the place (from my steering dampner too). Less than ideal.
Having had the wonderful PDQ fix my forks and brakes, I entered the ladies race last minute. I headed to Cadwell on the Wednesday for my first trackday there and I also got on for a few cheeky sessions on the Thursday.
Over the race weekend I got to see what the race paddock was like and watch the girls who I would be racing against out there in the sprints and endurance. On the Sunday I was so nervous, I was not myself. I managed a dismal 1.50, but the pictures of my riding are not my usual style and a bit embarrassing! But, the first race was over with. I came 8th out of 28 (in 7th but red flag called race early).
I then bought the GSXR600, well, my credit card bought it. We went to Open Pit Lane at Snetterton (apparently where I test my new bikes). We got rained off for a lot of the morning sadly and sighting laps were tré moist. Not what you want first time using race shift... In no time though, I had done my optimal time from the 'Blade! Making small adjustments to the bike here and there, I managed to shave 8 seconds off my lap time. Sadly, the bike died due to some poor wiring and cut my day short.
I was invited to join Team Pineapple Endurance Team at Donington Park and thought I'd enter the sprints too, as I was there. My race reports for this weekend are on the News section. In my first mixed sex race against some experienced guys, I managed to come 10th in the wet, scoring 6 championship points (not so good in the dry)!
So now you know my bike/track history! 13 track days later I am now proud to call myself a Racer, hehe.
I am planning to do a full season in GB Freshman class in 2021. Maybe a few exrta rounds if possible.
I would love any help you can offer, whether it be a set of brake pads or a share of my page. Preferably tyres cos those bad boys are expensive. Check out my donations tab.
Thanks for reading.
