EAST FORTUNE 17 AUGUST 2003

We were delayed departing from Belfast on the Saturday evening and finally got into Troon at 02:30 on the Sunday morning. That meant we got to Neil's at 4am and had to get up again to get down to East Fortune at 7……TIRED !

I'd missed the Saturday races due to the Ulster Grand Prix, but it was worth it.

I knew as well that I would not be leading the championship as I had missed a round, but it just meant I had to get the head down and do as well as possible.

I've never seen as many people I knew who had come to see the racing. It was a real boost to my morale that they were also supporting me. There were people from the bike club, the guys from RIAW, even my mum turned up.
It was a great day and really hot, which made me even more tired, but a few cups of coffee got me going.

After the previous problems we had with the supermoto, it was great to see John from Moto-cal down at the circuit. He had all the gear for the MZ withy him and was really keyed up to help.

We had everything fixed with the FZR clutch and it was ready to go, so practice went well on the 400.

We had a wee problem on the MZ, as the bracket which was made up to carry the twin pot brake caliper began to flex under braking and it was too dangerous to continue. However John drove all the way back to Moto Cal to make up a new one which was stronger and made it back for the second supermoto race.

Formula 400 Race 1
As I was sitting on the line just before the flag went down to start the race a funny thing happened. I usually sit with the revs at about 10,000 and the clutch not quite biting, but just before the flag dropped, the clutch seemed to bite just a marginal amount and the bike moved forward a couple of inches (the revs dying). Then of course the flag was dropped and I was there with the revs too low to pull away. I thought it was just my fault !

As a result of this, I got a poor start and was about 5th or sixth into the first corner, but I seem to get very good corner speed through this and already began to pull back places.
By the end of the first lap I was in second. I sat behind the guy in front and weighed up how I was going to pass, it was made easy for me when he ran wide at Pates and I tucked in and passed him.
After this I began to pull out a lead and was never, so a first race win of the day put things on the right path.

Supermoto Race 2
This was my first race as John had to rebuild the brake plate. It had been 4 months since I had raced the MZ and I had to get used to it again, but I still managed to get a 6th place in the race, which I was very happy with. Despite having problems getting the bike off the line and into second gear.

Formula 400 Race 2
The same small glitch with the clutch happened again and I lost a few places off the start. I got back though and was chasing the leader by lap 2. I noticed he was very cautious into the New Complex "Hannah's" (just before the start finish line) and I monopolised on this on lap 4, out braking him in a smooth passing manoeuvre which seemed to impress the crowd. I started to pull away by lap 6 and got win No. 2 for the day.

Supermoto Race 3
The MZ was going OK although the top 4 were pulling away from me throughout the race. I think this was down to power.
I still had a good race and had a few dices as I made up for another start where I struggled to get 2nd gear pulling away off the line.
I managed to get a 5th position and was very happy with this.
When I came back in, we found that the brake caliper had moved slightly and was actually touching the disc, which made it VERY VERY HOT.

Formula 400 Race 3
I was by now thinking "can I get a triple win at East Fortune?" and I liked the idea, so I was very nervous going out into my last race.
The same wee glitch happened with the clutch again, putting me at a disadvantage at the start and I was back quite far through the first corner.
I spent a few laps getting up into second position but the guy in front had pulled out a lead and I had my work to do.
I think I was getting tired as I noticed I was braking earlier and finding it hard to maintain a fast pace. ( i did after all only have 3 hours sleep the night before)
I was chasing the leader on the last lap, wondering if the triple was too much to hope for, when I saw a puff of blue smoke come out of his exhaust going through Railway (hairpin), Through Snake there was another wee puff and I got the bit between my teeth and thought "maybe his bike isn't running as well" I got closer and as we went through the Esses, a huge cloud of blue smoke came out of his exhaust and he had to pull off the track.
The way for me was clear to win and I did.

Sometimes as Jackie Stewart said "it's not your good luck, but other peoples bad luck which can help you win"

What a day, to complete a long weekend in Northern Ireland and Scotland.

I was now leading the Open Championship and 2nd in the Club Championship, with 5 races to go.

Thanks to my sponsors and everyone who helps make it possible.

Drummond Investments, thanks Peter
www.MAGsport.com
www.sabd.org.uk Scottish Bikers with a Disability
Moto-cal (Edinburgh)
www.readitandweep.net
www.saddletramps.org.uk
Race Paint Ecosse by Andy Thompson
City Couriers
Cheers Brian Bud
Russell at York Barbers, Edinburgh
Zoom Racing products
EBC
Swona Exhausts

John Harding
Herbie Maclean
Howard Selby Motors (North Berwick)