Not seen Ron for years...

Called at Andy Molnar's to pick up one of Vanni's bikes and take it to Maxton Engineering.

I've not seen Ron Williams for years; in fact it was good to see Mary and Richard as well.

We weighed the bike, and took all sorts of measurements.

It will be interesting to see what they come up with.

You can click here to find out more about Maxton Engineering

Having a day out at Donington.

Doing a bit of 1 to 1 assessment at Donny today.
Once again really cold and wet for the majority of the day.
'Bill' doesn't actually like this sort of weather so has really taken some persuading to come out of the garage.

Pembrey overview video.

Not a bad test session.

Two more 2nd places this afternoon.

Both on the 500 and the 350.

Not bad really as I had not ridden the bikes before this event, so in effect, we were using it as a bit of a test session!

I have got a few ideas to work out and test out before the next round in a few weeks at Anglesea.

Thanks of course go to everyone for a great weekend,
Vanni and Andy, Steve and 'Tatty head' see you all in North Wales next time.

500 maiden victory.

First race after Lunch gave me the first victory on the 500.

While tustling with Lea in the opening laps, he actually, rather strangely I thought, high sided going in to the corner.

Same place as me this morning.

First win!

After a steady 2nd place in the rain soaked 350 National, 15 minute break and out again.

This time I took the win with team mate Vanni coming home in 3rd!

The damage to the 500 was not too bad, just as well, I've got two races on it this afternoon!

Still no snow

It has been so cold in the mornings, just getting changed in to my leathers has been torture, so today I just decided to get dressed in them from the start when getting out of bed.

The weather is now terribly cold and after torrential rain, the track is very wet.

I am afraid to say I crashed the 500 in the first race while the boys were still in the tyre queue waiting for new rubber.

Afternoon races.

Getting to grips with the 350 and having some great monster slides.

It is also good to see Phil Daw who took the time to come along and spectate today.

Took two more 2nd places behind Lea.

We'll have to see if anything can be done to find a bit of improvement for the six races we've got tomorrow.

First half of day.

Had my inaugral races on both the 350 and 500.
The grid was drawn earlier and I set off in 4th both times.

Of course the rider to beat is existing champion and 2007 Classic Racer of the year, Lea Gourlay.

The 500 is not quite how I want it yet, but still managed to get 2nd.

The 350 is a bit more how I like it and managed to worry Lea a bit more but back markers changed the plan, yet I still got 2nd.

Two more races this afternoon.

A joy to behold.

Look at these beauties.

The bikes look well this morning all lined up in the awning.

Chilly and windy, no snow yet though.

Good day.

Ridden both bikes now and done some alterations.
Looking forward to the racing tomorrow.

No qualifying just a brief practice session as the grid is pre done by the organisers.
Will let you know how we get on.

Ready for a run out.

Andy let me do a few laps on his bike whilst he did the changes to the gear lever on Vanni's bike.
All done now so taking it for a run out.

Graham Boothby who I've not seen for years is parked next door!

Brrr its a bit chilly.

Once again its the wind that will be the pain.
Cold and wet I can put up with, but add in a 36mph wind and its not such fun.

The bikes look good and Andy Molnar is going to swap the gear change to the left for me this morning.

Yikes it's windy.

On our way now.
Very very windy though.
So bad that it's blown loose the windscreen trim off the van!
Mind you, it's a lot worse for the truckers and caravans.
Pulled over on the M1 and just effecting repairs.

Setting off for South Wales.

Just about to leave for Pembrey - some six hours drive from here.
Weather looks a bit 'poo' for the weekend, forecast a low of 1 degree and rain for Sunday - nice.
Just spoken to Vanni on the phone, and he is already on his way to the circuit.
I'm going to be riding the bikes for the first time on tomorrow's practice day.
Will keep you updated.

Brands overview video.

Full race report.

Action shot: Racing Line Photography

Click on the photo to see it in fantastic pin sharp detail.

I have now written my full race report from the Brands Hatch weekend, and there are additional photos on my website, please look under the 'latest news' section on http://www.mike-edwards.net/

Nice cloud burst.

Cloud burst just before the race meant a quick change to wets.
Got a reasonable start but to be honest I was not prepared to stick my neck out enough to stay with the leaders.

Was quite happy in 3rd, with plenty of space behind, but then I got caught out with back markers and a yellow flag on the last lap - that allowed the gap to close, and as a result I just got pipped over the line to take 4th.

Sunday's first race.

As I didn't finish yesterday's race my grid position was 29th - back on the 8th row!
With only eight laps to work with I knew that I had to get on with things.

Getting through the novices was the trickiest bit as they ride all over the place and spend time looking at each other instead of looking where they are going; they would be better if they just looked straight ahead and got on with it!

I managed to work my way through the field though - and had clawed my way up to 4th before the flag came out.

Morning warm up.

After finishing the repairs we thought about doing something with the carburetion.

Changed the needle position and it was much better in morning warm up.

Now thinking about changing the main jets if I can find some in time for the race.

Almost as good as....

Nine of us all crashed out at the same place, I was a bit gutted to say the least.

However, after a few hours work and some inventive repairs we are at last ready for scrutineering in the morning.

Tyre choice didn't matter.

Off the line, and by the second lap I was in 2nd place.

Me and a handfull of other riders found oil that hadn't been cleared up.

Crashing out on lap three.

There was so much oil obviously on track that I lost it a bit with the marshals, had to appologise later.

Not too much damage, should get out tomorrow.

Persistent light rain.

The weather has made tyre choice difficult.

Last minute decision to go with a wet front.

It's cold, dank and miserable.

If I am not enjoying it, I might well just come in.

Normal service has resumed - rubbish start.

Yes I am rubbish at starts, I've always been rubbish at starts.

Nothing's changed. Bogged it down on the line.

However, normally I have plenty of laps to work my way to the front.

In this seven lap dash I only just managed to make my way up to 2nd and it was all over.

Must try harder this afternoon.

First race of the 2008 season.

Its time for off.
First race of the season.
Seven laps.

That'll do!

First session on track was 15 mins practice combined with qualifying.

Its quite cold but dry at least.

Suspension still needs a few tweaks but we got the job done - Ming the Merciless is on pole!

'Ming' meets Robbie Silvester

We went off to Pontefract to take Robbie Silvester of VRS Performance up on his generous offer of Dyno time and his wealth of experience.
Cheers Robbie.

Overview video from Croix.

Sorry, the wind noise is a bit loud on the video.

Good job done.

All in all a good shake down test.

I've learnt the track and had the chance to tweak a few things on the bike.

Looking forward to Brands next weekend.

Lovely sunny day.

Who would have thought it was going to be such a gorgeous day.

Got lots of things done.

Front wheel was rubbing on the radiator, altered the gear lever and twiddled with the suspension.
Five sessions later and the tyre is a bit tired.

Just going to test a couple more things then call it a day.

Arrived at last.

What a journey!

Sea France were on strike so the port of Dover was in chaos.

Gales made the crossing scary, then to top it all the wind was so bad that the Captain decided from a safety aspect that he should not try and park the boat himself, requesting a Tug to assist.

It took two hours to arrive and finally we fell into bed about 1am!

Weather at Croix is windy but at least that is drying the track.

Thanks go out of course, to both Wayne and Joanna at Norfolkline for helping out with the ferry arrangments, they are just the best company to get accross the channel with, click here for their site: Norfolkline