More ideas for perfecting the Suzuki Moto 450 'Sabina'.

Reading through the Moto 450 rules Mark and I were surprised at the noise limit of 100 db, looking at the silencer Mark had fitted to Sabina there is no way we would make that.
However, with the contacts Mark has it should not be a problem.
Sabina is home with Mark now and and he has started work on her.
We will get Christmas and new year out the way and look forward to getting away to test somewhere.

Sabina goes home to 'Daddy'.

Met Mark Hanna today, like some dodgy dealers, in a car park just off the M42 to hand 'Sabina' back to her dad for some tweaks and alterations.

One thing we discussed was wheel and tyre size and the possibility of running the same tyres I use on Gordon.

Mark had built Sabina with a 5" rear wheel but I've suggested dropping down to 4.5" and using a smaller size of tyre to suit - this would help the chain run and make the 'her' change direction much better!

Rider of the year - award from NYRRSC

I was really surprised to be awarded the Paul Warwick Shield for 'Rider of the Year' last night from the North Yorkshire Road Racing Supporters Club.

There are many famous names on the sheild starting with Andy McGladdery in 1986, and including people like Steve Webster, Carl Fogarty, and John McGuinness. More recently, Dennis Hobbs and Dan Linfoot - and now twenty two years after first being awarded it says 'Mike Edwards 2008' - fantastic!

The NYRRSC has been raising funds to help and support road racers since 1985. Last night one of the club's founders, and now president Chris Herring was the guest of honour; and Chris presented me with the award.

You can keep up to date with their latest events by clicking here NYRRSC

Trophy anyone?

I had a great evening at the Classic Rcaing Club dinner do and picked up several awards including the largest one of the evening - Vanni had mounted the complete exhaust from Buster after I crashed on him at the last round at Brands, cheeky monkey he is!
Bumped into this bloke a few times on the night and he won just about everything......



Photo by: Russell Lee. www. sport-pics.co.uk

CRMC AWARDS

CRMC AWARDS
Originally uploaded by no1bloke

Having a lovely evening in Daventry at the Classic Club dinner dance. Picked up a bit of silverware. Calling at NEC tomorrow night to collect Mark Hanna's moto 450 and bring it up North to exhibit and think of a name for it.

Oh, no, that time again...

Yes, calendar time!!
Thanks very much to Jetmedia who once again have kindly sponsored me with the supply of 1000 calendar cases - they're not just CD cases you know, they have to be special calendar cases for the job.

I am going to do the International ones first, as I want to get them done and on the way before the posting deadline, and then I will get round to doing all the UK ones.

If you've moved in the last year, been missed off the list, or would like to request a calendar for the first time - simply visit the 'news' page on my website and follow the calendar details from there.

Full specification on website.

I've put the full specification of this Suzuki moto 450 beautifully built by Mark Hanna on my website simply click here: Moto 450

If you want to see it in real life it's on the ThundersportGB stand at the NEC show.

Some more snaps.

It's a very pretty machine, isn't it?

Oohhh, this looks interesting...

Here's a photo of something that I think's interesting.

I'll put more photos on here as the week progresses, putting them all together with a description on my main website, by the end of the week.

Curious?

Looking forward to next season.

Not quite sure what I'm going to be doing next season - but this little green man popped round with his latest racing project to see if I wanted to ride it; on quick inspection I think there might be too much air in the front forks...

You know me - I'll ride a shovel if someone will pull it fast enough...



Fantastic balloon art by magician Paul Grundle

Taxi??

Taxi anyone?... I've recently done the 'knowledge' and taken my taxi test.
I don't think I'm going to make a career out of it, but in these times of the 'credit crunch' it'll be something else to help keep the wolf from the door!
So if anyone is thinking of visiting the beautiful Spa town of Harrogate , you never know, get in a Taxi and I could be driving it!

Frost - winter catalogue

I'm a cover girl at last!


Click on the title above to visit Frost's comprehensive website.

Calendar update.

Well, that's the photos chosen. Thank you to everyone who took the trouble to vote on your favourites.

Thanks also to the people who have kindly sent a donation for their individual calendars; it's more important than ever this year as unfortunately our 'bike friendly' managing director at the printers has retired, and this year I'm going to have to fund the printing myself - on top of the packing and postage costs. Bu$$er!

Just waiting for the proofs to arrive, then when I've checked that they're okay, the printing, collating and despatching can go ahead.
I really don't want to start charging for the calendars as that wasn't really the spirit in which I started to do them, so if anyone feels that they can help by donating something, no matter how small, to their production, please click here:

If you would like to request a calendar for the first time, or simply update your postal details please click here: Request / Address details

Press and publicity

I've been quite lucky to get plenty of media coverage this season.

In addition to lots of different web coverage, and text editorials, I'm in the process of scanning and saving all my printed features, and putting them in one place. Click here to see details of my press coverage: Printed media

Calendar photo voting.

Yes, it's almost that time of year again.

But I've been so busy this season that I've got too many great photos to choose from for the desk calendar.

You can also make your calendar requests or update your details by clicking this link:
2009 Calendar

Great result.

Great result.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke

I think Sarah might have been bitten by the endurance bug. She seems to have really enjoyed herself today. The team did well, I think they ultimately finished 3rd in class and 9th overall.

Give 'us another go mister...

Give 'us another go mister...
Originally uploaded by no1bloke

Sarah's just got off the bike but is already wishing she could do another stint. She says that it was a real shame when the fuel light came on as she was really enjoying herself!

Good change.

Good change.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke

We put a new rear tyre in while the pace car was out. That bought us at least a lap. Sarah out now for her final session, up to 11th overall now.

one session done

one session done
Originally uploaded by no1bloke

Sarah seems happy enough after her first session. The team is very pleased overall and she is looking forward to her next stint.

Silverstone Endurance

Silverstone Endurance
Originally uploaded by no1bloke

I've come down today to support Sarah Jordan in her first endurance race. Lovely day for it.

Video from Brands.

Mixed fortunes.

Won the next 350 race.

Vanni was almost second but got pipped over the line.
For the first 500 Lea and I were battling when I totally lost the front brake.
At the time we were far enough in front that riding very cautiously I still managed to hold on to 2nd.


Was persuaded to go out in last race, lost the front end down paddock hill. I'm okay, but Buster looks very secondhand...

Wet and windy.

Gordon doesnt look like he wants to come out of the awning today.
Luckily for him he's got a choice!

It's so wet out on track that towards the end of an excellent nip and tuck dice with Lea the 350 Tickle gave up, just too soggy, causing electrical problems.

Going out in the next race just to test the repairs and adjustments.

Day's end.

Another couple of 2nds.
Close race on the 350 with Lea.
It was simply a matter of back markers in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The 500 was even tighter with the lead constantly swapping. The softer springs worked well; on the last lap when I was in front - the bike slid on me going down Paddock Hill and I had to shut the throttle.

Lea got the drive and I couldn't do anything about it.

Two races done.

Won on the Tickle and took 2nd on the 500.

Going to change the fork springs for something softer on the 500 and then get Gordon fired up to check him over.

Two more races later today.

Morning warm up.

Brrr... its really chilly here.
Done both warm ups.

Betty did not get repaired in time after Denmark, so I am out on Andy's 350 Tickle instead; it goes really well but the geometry of the frame is so different - you sit so far back and need very long arms to ride it.

Gordon gets out on track...

Hopefully the Classic Club will let me have a run round on Gordon in one of the parade sessions as he hasn't been ridden since we fitted the replacement motor from Slipstream.

I'm going to take him to Brands anyway, as we can get round to doing the one or two little jobs that need attending to.

Photo from Snetterton by Racing Line Photography

Brands video overview.

I'm in agony...

Here you can see Ming looking smug in the back of the van - thinking he's got his own back - fully aware of how much I'm hurting.

On Sunday, when I bumped him off to go to the line, I slipped awkwardly, and banged my chest on the tank.
I heard a pop - and thought to myself - bu$$er, that's a rib...
Got on with things there and then, but now, a couple of days later I'm in agony.
Sneezing, coughing and laughing are all off the agenda.

Late day.

There have been many stoppages today.

As a result our race was delayed with the second one cancelled all together.

Did not really have a good start from my front row position; but had managed to claw my way back up to 2nd by the final lap, when the gear lever started to stick and caused me problems in the final dash to the line.

Ended up 3rd - again.

Morning warm up.

Just did a few laps this morning to check things out.

Had a small niggle with a water pipe but think we've fixed that now.

Steve Jordan kindly gave the forks a once over and altered the pre load.

Everything seems set for the race.

How fantastic.

I was a bit put out at first been made to start from the very back of the grid, but I suppose it made it interesting for the spectators.

Within a couple of laps I was up to top 5.

Then I was challenging for the front.

Even had 2nd at one stage!

Eventually crossed the line in 3rd - but actually took the outright lap record ever for a 400! Mega.

Thanks to Steve and Harry for persuading me to carry on, change back to the standard motor and give it a go.

Plenty to do.

Hey, no sooner had we sorted out the carbs and the throttle response was much smoother than something strange happened inside the motor when I bumped it off to ride back to the garage.

I think its a big end problem.

No choice but to swap back to the original engine.

Missed the first race but should be done in time for the next one.

Beautiful day.

The weather is gorgeous here at Brands Hatch and its good to see John Sanders from EDI Asia the title sponsor for the series.

The carbburation is miles off, I am having to whack the throttle open to get any response.

And thats a bit scary mid corner when the bike is on its side.

Managed to qualify pole though, the only one on a 1.39 full circuit remember!

Good afternoon's work.

Mark got us started and then left us to it.

We had loads of time to fiddle.

To start with the curve left a lot to be desired.

We twiddled with the air box, then jets and needles.

Four hours later, not a lot more power but a much more acceptable curve.

Thanks of course to everyone at Slipstream.

Long time no see...

It seems like ages since I had time to do anything with 'Ming'.

This weekend is the final round of the EDI Formula 400 at Brands Hatch on the GP circuit.

Still not had the chance to get the new motor that Peter built running up on the dyno.

Luckily Roy and Martin from Slipstream said we could use theirs.

A bit eleventh hour I know, but better than nothing.

Video overview - Danish Classic TT

Successfull weekend.

A final win in the 500 gave us a really successfull weekend all round; thank you to everyone - you all made it possible.

Betty is unwell.

Just managed half a lap of the 350 race before something disastrous happened in the engine.

Sounded like a con rod to me...

The good news though is that Vanni rode really well and is over the moon with the fact he got the win!

Yesterday's 500 race.

This morning we have had the postponed IHRO 500.

Mike Cooper could not get his bike going in the push start, so that was him out.

I won and Vanni rode for 3rd.

Lots of other races now, I'm not out again until later after Lunch in two more IHRO events, got time to do a bit of tweaking here and there.

Early finish.

An accident just before the 350 race caused a long delay.

There is a very strict time curfew here, everything has to be done by 4pm.

In fact we were so late that every other race today has been cancelled.

Eventually we got out, I won, Mike Cooper was next with Vanni 3rd.

Everything else rescheduled for tomorrow.

So far, so good.

Vanni seems very happy.

He is enjoying his racing in front of all his family friends and customers.

I am on pole for both of my races and even under the lap record on Buster.

Ready for action.

Everyone is up and raring to go.

It looks a really interesting track.

Lots of gradients, dips and banked corners.

Best get out and learn it then...

Great T shirt.

Here we are at Stansted waiting for the off to Denmark.

I am sporting one of my current favourite t shirts - I just think it's great.

If you want one for yourself go visit Motogpnews and tell them I sent you.

CRMC R.6 Snetterton

Djursland Ring circuit

Getting ready for our trip to Vanni's local circuit Djursland Ring, it is about 50Km from Aarhus Vanni's home town.

In fact I don't know many from the UK who have.
It is an important meeting for the team having the home crowd and the sponsors attending.

Then they are expecting a great result....no pressure there then!

After Snetterton Vanni took all his Nortons back to Denmark with him to 'spruce' them up for the event.

Bow wave on the boot...

This great shot of me and Lea at Snetterton last weekend, splashing about in the rain is by Russell Lee - Sport Pics
Click on it to see the incredible detail.

Gedinne action shots.

Lenny from JinglyJangly has sent me this great sequence of photos from Gedinne.

You can visit Lenny's site to look at his other photos by clicking here: JinglyJangly

Cheers for the great shots Lenny!