Scarborough: Cock o’ the North Report

I returned to Scarborough, for my 2nd meeting at the circuit. I had competed at Olivers Mount, for the first time, in 2009 but only on a 600. This time I was out on my GSXR1000.

First practice went well familiarising myself with the track again. I had a minor issue with the front brake but this was easily sorted after the session. I qualified in 8th position on the grid for the heat in the timed practice session. Happy with that, my goal of making the “A” final was on target after finishing in 5th place in my heat. I started from 11th on the grid, got slightly boxed in at the first corner. Which, at Oliver’s Mount, isn’t difficult to do with 25 riders bottle necking down to a hairpin!! I had a race long battle with Ben Wylie and was pleased to finish in 8th place, improving on my lap time from the first 2 outings.

Sunday dawned a breezy day which was almost welcoming after one of the hottest days of the year on Saturday. I went out for a couple of practice sessions in the morning and then was out in first race of the day. This was the second leg of the 175 -1300cc. I altered the gearing slightly after practice to try and get more drive from the hairpins. Scarborough seems to suit a “point and squirt” type riding style which, usually, doesn’t suit me! The change had improved the bike and I lapped at 1m50s, my personal best and finished just behind, after a race long battle trying to find a way past, regular Oliver’s mount campaigner Dave Hewson in 7th place.

The feature race of the day was the Cock of the North final. I’d hung back in qualifying to try and get some clear track and set a good time. I hung onto the back wheel of Ian Lougher, thinking that this must be going well, but after the session found myself in 8th and Lougher 9th on the grid, not quite the master plan I had in mind!! I got off to a good start and made a pass on the first lap into 6th place. Once again tucked in behind Dave Hewson, again I struggled to find space to make a clean pass. I ended up going for it after the Jefferies Jump on the brakes for Farm bends. I got up the inside on the brakes and was broadside thinking that I wasn’t going to make to corner. I made the pass and ran wide after the apex as I pulled the bike back onto the line for the left hander of the chicane Dave and I clashed. We both stayed on and I held the position, so all was well!! I then made a big push to make a break and try and bridge the gap to Derek Shiels. Setting my fastest lap of the weekend 1m49.2, this all but equally the laps of Derek but I was unable to make any time on him. Then on the last lap entering the first hairpin I managed to hit a false neutral dropping me back behind Dave Hewson to finish in 6th Place. I was happy with the result and lap time just annoyed, if I could learn how to change gear then I’d have been 5th!!

Next up for me is the Cholmondley Pageant of Power, more of a demonstration/PR event but looking forward to it all the same.

Posted: July 16, 2010