What turned out to be pretty much a perfect weekend (results-wise) was slightly less than perfect in the days leading up to it.
Since our last update we performed some last-minute jobs to prepare the bikes for race action - like fitting new dry tyres, changing the coolant for water, stocking up the caravan, buying plenty of super unleaded fuel, etc - but the major issue that arose was "How will we get to the circuit?"...
Our trusty yellow van had become poorly and required some new parts - which would not arrive in time to be fixed for the weekend - but we managed to source a replacement van via Chris Parker of Parker's Knutsford Removals.
The replacement van was plenty big enough for the bikes and our usual gear, but the lack of a tow bar meant that we would not have use of our caravan for the weekend. Due to this, we decided to travel to the circuit on the morning of the test day.
Since our last update we performed some last-minute jobs to prepare the bikes for race action - like fitting new dry tyres, changing the coolant for water, stocking up the caravan, buying plenty of super unleaded fuel, etc - but the major issue that arose was "How will we get to the circuit?"...
Our trusty yellow van had become poorly and required some new parts - which would not arrive in time to be fixed for the weekend - but we managed to source a replacement van via Chris Parker of Parker's Knutsford Removals.
The replacement van was plenty big enough for the bikes and our usual gear, but the lack of a tow bar meant that we would not have use of our caravan for the weekend. Due to this, we decided to travel to the circuit on the morning of the test day.
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Saturday Test Day
We arrived at the sodden circuit just before 8am, then setup our awning and did our best to sweep out as much standing water as possible, before converting the back of the van into "daytime mode".
Leading up to the test day, the weather forecast showed a mainly dry day - but it unfortunately turned out to be a washout. After succumbing to the fact that we wouldn't get any dry track time (around noon), we fit the wet tyres and headed out for a couple of sessions - just to check that there were no obvious issues present after the engine rebuilds.
We also managed to get a few tasks out of the way during the sessions - like bed-in some new brake pads as well as our "new old stock" leathers. Around 7 years ago when we ordered the made-to-measure leathers, we ordered two sets but only ever used one of the sets. After many seasons of use that first set is starting to appear "used", so we have (finally) decided to start using the second set. The test day also gave us a chance to get used to our new helmets and to test out the track resurfacing that had taken place at Park corner over the winter.
The test day was the first chance that we had to try out the Continental wet tyres. Due to loving Continental's dry tyres we held high hopes for the wets, but the very low temperatures (both air and track) combined with their slightly harder compound compared to the Bridgestones we have used over the past few seasons meant that we struggled to adapt to them.
After scrutineering and sign-on activities were completed, it was then time to convert the van into "bedtime mode"...
The test day was the first chance that we had to try out the Continental wet tyres. Due to loving Continental's dry tyres we held high hopes for the wets, but the very low temperatures (both air and track) combined with their slightly harder compound compared to the Bridgestones we have used over the past few seasons meant that we struggled to adapt to them.
After scrutineering and sign-on activities were completed, it was then time to convert the van into "bedtime mode"...
 Dave Snr doesn't look impressed |  We appeared on the front cover |
We then took advantage of Daniel Nurrish's kind offer to join him in his caravan and used our laptop to catch up on the day's MotoGP action from Portugal.
Ready to watch the Saturday MotoGP coverage
Sunday Race Day
After an awful night of sleep in the back of a van - mainly due to the ambient temperature resembling that of a fridge! - we awoke to yet more wet tarmac.
Our ideas of the expected "fully dry" day were immediately gone and it looked like it would be wet until at least the afternoon. After considering our options, we decided to swap the Continental wet tyres for a set of Bridgestone wet tyres that we had in the van (a slightly used front and brand new rear) as we though that putting both bikes onto the same tyres would make life a little easier.
We were out on track in the first session of the day for the 700cc Twins qualifying. The air temperature was around 6C and the circuit was cold, wet and slippery - probably to be expected very usual for March! We set off very steadily to give the new rear tyre a chance to bed in, but at the first corner two bikes had crashed and brought grass/mud onto the circuit - so the session was red flagged. After a short wait the session restarted, but by turn two another rider had fallen! By this point we had decided to build pace very slowly to try to give the tyres a chance to build some heat. We steadily went quicker and quicker and by the end of the session had set pole position for the 700cc Twins class.
We were then straight out again for the joint Formula 600 and Darley Cup qualifying session. Once again we built up speed slowly and on the final lap of qualifying were on for an even quicker time, but were held up by a slower rider through the back esses. We qualified in 2nd position for the Formula 600 and Darley Cup races, which we were happy with. Unfortunately, Daniel Nurrish wasn't quite as lucky and had crashed during the session - but the rider was OK and the machine was repairable.
 Photo by David Chapman |  Photo by David Chapman |
Our first race of the day was the first Darley Moor race of the season - Darley Cup Race 1. As there were still some damp patches visible (and it was still bitterly cold), we decided to use the wet tyres for the race - as did the majority of other racers. A good start put us 2nd into the Wilsons chicane, then we moved into the lead at the next corner. From there our aim was to put in smooth laps but by the third lap the tyres were already beginning to overheat and create a lot of movement on the bike. Regardless we decided to carry on and push as hard as we could. At the chequered flag, we won the race by 17.25 seconds and had set the fastest lap of the race.
As soon as we got back to the paddock we switched across to our brand new dry tyres (on both bikes), before heading out for Formula 600 Race 1. A great start saw us take the holeshot but with new tyres fitted - and still with single-digit temperatures around - we tried to make sure that they were properly scrubbed before pushing on. Despite this, by the end of lap 2 we had extended an 8-second lead. By the end of the 8-lap race, we had won the race by 23.41 seconds. We also set the fastest lap of the race.
After the race we learned some bad news though, as Daniel Nurrish who had rushed to repair his Yamaha R6 had fallen again on the sighting lap due to insufficient heat in his tyres. This second crash of the day signalled the end of the day for Daniel, who suffered a hand/wrist injury. We wish Daniel all the best on his recovery and hope to see him at the track again soon!
After the race we learned some bad news though, as Daniel Nurrish who had rushed to repair his Yamaha R6 had fallen again on the sighting lap due to insufficient heat in his tyres. This second crash of the day signalled the end of the day for Daniel, who suffered a hand/wrist injury. We wish Daniel all the best on his recovery and hope to see him at the track again soon!
 Photo by Kevin Randle |  Photo by Kevin Randle |
It was now time for our first race on the Aprilia RS660 Trofeo in 700cc Twins Race 1. Another good start saw us take the holeshot and then lead all the way to the chequered flag, taking the fastest lap on the way to our victory by 12.42 seconds.
 Photo by Kevin Randle |  Photo by Kevin Randle |
During the lunch break we gave both bikes a clean and a check-over. It was at this point that we noticed that the Kawasaki ZX6R camera was still recording. We hoped that the camera would have enough battery left to finish the day, but it didn't - so that was the end of the onboard footage for the day on that bike...
Straight after the lunch break we were into the points/trophy races. Our three victories in the morning meant that we would start from pole position for each of the points races.
The first points race was in Darley Cup Race 2. Another good start, followed by some clean laps, meant that we created a gap to the other competitors of 25.87 seconds at the end of the 10-lap race to take another win. We once again set the fastest lap of the race, but despite trying to break the 1-minute barrier we could only get down to a 1'00.27. The new track surface at Park corner, combined with the high wind and low temperatures was making setting quicker lap times extremely difficult.
Straight after the lunch break we were into the points/trophy races. Our three victories in the morning meant that we would start from pole position for each of the points races.
The first points race was in Darley Cup Race 2. Another good start, followed by some clean laps, meant that we created a gap to the other competitors of 25.87 seconds at the end of the 10-lap race to take another win. We once again set the fastest lap of the race, but despite trying to break the 1-minute barrier we could only get down to a 1'00.27. The new track surface at Park corner, combined with the high wind and low temperatures was making setting quicker lap times extremely difficult.
 Photo by Kevin Randle |  Photo by Graham Mallen |
When the Formula 600 Race 2 started, we got a quite poor start that put us in 3rd position into the Wilson chicane. However, at the end of the opening lap we managed to pass both riders on the brakes into Paddock corner. From there we put in some clean laps, set the fastest lap of the race with a 1'00.16, and won the race by 14.63 seconds. This race signified the first Formula 600 trophy race we have won where we actually passed the chequered flag (rather than the race ending via a red flag).
 Photo by Kevin Randle |  Photo by Kevin Randle |
Our final race of the day was 700cc Twins Race 2. By this point in the day, some cloud coverage had returned and there were spots of rain coming down. Another poor start saw us enter Wilsons chicane in 3rd place, but due to the Aprilia's grunt we were able to move into the lead by the end of the opening lap. From there we maintained our lead, set another fastest lap and took the win by 10.58 seconds to round off a great day!
With 6 races entered, 6 races won and 6 fastest laps achieved (along with a pole position & 2nd-placed qualifying results) - this may well be the most successful day of racing we have had, especially considering that the winning margin for every race was in excess of 10 seconds!
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The great news is that our victories mean that we now lead 3 Darley Moor championships (which is a first for us!). There is a break until the next round of the Darley Moor championships, which will take place on Sunday 21st May, so until then the championship standings will remain as below.
Darley Cup Championship (Top 5)
1st: David Carson 15
2nd: Adam Green 12
3rd: Andy Sellars 10
4th: Patrick Lord 8
5th: Lee Whitehouse 6
Formula 600 Championship (Top 5)
1st: David Carson 15
2nd: Matthew Rostron 12
3rd: Adam Green 10
4th: Adam Mather 8
5th: Jack Worth 6
700cc Twins Championship (Top 5)
1st: David Carson 15
2nd: Andy Whale 12
3rd: Anthony Thane 10
4th: Matthew Birks 8
5th: Ben Wilkinson 6
Fortunately there isn't long to wait until our next race though, as our maiden visit to the Croft circuit will be taking place this coming weekend. This is a non-championship event for us, so hopefully we'll just be able to relax and enjoy the time on circuit! We'll let you know how we get on... :-)
Darley Cup Championship (Top 5)
1st: David Carson 15
2nd: Adam Green 12
3rd: Andy Sellars 10
4th: Patrick Lord 8
5th: Lee Whitehouse 6
Formula 600 Championship (Top 5)
1st: David Carson 15
2nd: Matthew Rostron 12
3rd: Adam Green 10
4th: Adam Mather 8
5th: Jack Worth 6
700cc Twins Championship (Top 5)
1st: David Carson 15
2nd: Andy Whale 12
3rd: Anthony Thane 10
4th: Matthew Birks 8
5th: Ben Wilkinson 6
Fortunately there isn't long to wait until our next race though, as our maiden visit to the Croft circuit will be taking place this coming weekend. This is a non-championship event for us, so hopefully we'll just be able to relax and enjoy the time on circuit! We'll let you know how we get on... :-)
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