I.H.R.O. 500

It's hot here. Damn hot.
Yves did not start the race for some reason so that took a bit of competitive heat off me.

I led from the start to finish taking my first win of the weekend.

We are going to stay on and take some time to prep the bikes now to save time before Snetterton next weekend.

Training session.

Vanni and I had a long chat this morning and he wants to try and improve his skills.

As we never get the chance to really spend time together on the track, we have decided to use today's races as coaching sessions.

We just had the 350 race with Vannie taking the lead while I assessed him; then I led him for the last couple of laps.
I think we finished about 5th and 6th.

500 I.H.R.O. Race

Another scorcher of a push start! I was leading Yves by the first hairpin.
It was a furious pace, just him and me at the front but I was just managing to hold him off.

On the penultimate lap two thirds of the way round I just could not stop at the other chicane and ran on letting Yves passed.
Bu$$er!
I chased back after him but on the last lap, at the first chicane I couldn't get round and the front brake lever caught in a straw bale and threw me off.

Luckily was able to remount and finish.
Steve is just replacing the bent gear lever.

First I.H.R.O. race.

Off on Betty for the first race of the day.
Push start. Still coming to terms with doing these.
Surprised myself and the whole team by getting away in 2nd behind Ives; who then had a brake problem and ran on at the chicane.
Luke and I battled for the rest of the race with him finally pinching the win.

Practice done.

Ridden both Betty and Buster this morning.
Had to run the 500 in so that was a chance to learn the circuit a bit more.
Managed to be 3rd fastest anyway, although a good 6 seconds down on Yves Glauser and Jarno Joncker.
Its the same story for the 350, 3rd with Yves at the front and then Luke Notton; but its much closer, just 0.7 second between us this time.

Gedinne - practice.

First time here so it was important to have a good look round in practice.

Out on Betty, it is a nice track, easy to learn, with a good mix of fast swoops and tighter corners.

Gedinne, Belgium this weekend - I.H.R.O.

Racing Vanni's classic bikes in Belgium this weekend, I found this video by 'motonoelke' on YouTube - I have not been to Gedinne before, so used the footage to learn which way the circuit goes.



Something different...

Update on Avis Customer Service.

I haven't previously mentioned the problems I encountered when last renting a car from Avis at Frankfurt airport; as I was waiting to hear back from Customer Service to see if the unfortunate situation could be resolved.
After unsuccessfully trying to deal with the personnel at the Frankfurt branch direct, and notifying Expedia.co.uk of my dilemma who I booked the car through - I was beginning to run out of patience with the Avis Company in general.
Suffice to say, in the future, I will be doubly, and triply careful and exacting about reconciling the office paperwork, with the paperwork in the vehicle, and making sure any existing information on the car is accurately recorded.
I am now pleased to be able to report, that I have at last heard back from Avis Customer Service here in the UK who have ultimately resolved the situation, and I am now a most satisfied customer whose faith has been restored in the Avis brand.

Somewhere different.

Having a break in the race season with a visit to the Equestrian Olympics in Hong Kong with the family.
As it is so hot out here this time of year most of the events are in the evening so this gives us plenty of time to do the sight seeing stuff, here up the Peak on Hong Kong island overlooking the city.
Met up this evening with friend and EDIAsia 400 sponsor, John Sanders and his wife Cho Lin for a lovely meal.

Gordon meets 'Brian'

Slipstream generously offered me the use of a replacement motor to get Gordon back on his wheels, and out in supermono circulation.

Gordon's first public engagement was at Poynton Motorcycle Club, where Phil Harold the press officer, invited us for a contrast and compare evening with Phil's own SZR that we have now named 'Brian'.

The club is very well supported by it's members and raises funds for many good causes, you can visit their website by clicking here: Poynton Motorcycle Club