For this round we treck all the way to Oulton Park. As we only do this track once a year, and its a one day event, we all go up a day early to do the practice day. On the day the weather is fantastic after strong winds and plenty of rain the day before. The fat bikes are sent out first to clear the circuit for the other races, and sure enough the session is red flag after red flag as riders hit silt on the track from the day before. We get 2 laps and Mick Houldon goes down with three other riders, seriously messing up his bike and his ankle. The next session the track is dryer and we are able to open it up a bit more and get a full session in - I remember how much I love this track and know with more track time there is plenty more to come

The next session after dinner things are going great, I'm getting quicker and quicker and the confidence is growing - I pass 2 CB's coming towards Hizzies chicane, navigate the twisties and fire it out of the corner.............the back end starts to slide..........its OK, they do that............it keeps sliding......cant shut the throttle now or I'm over the high side......keep it pinned........as I see the seat and tank in front of me - let go and enjoy the slide!!.........So ends another session! I was out on some REAL old tyres for the practice day because of a serious lack of dosh - it ended up costing me much more!!!

This is where I say a BIG BIG thankyou to the fat bike riders, Luke for the handle bars and support - BBT for the pain killers!, Jack Wrights Dad, sorry dont know your name, and Jack- for engine casings footpegs and help making them fit, Gav for instant gasgit, the bloke opposite on the 250 for drill, grinder, oil catch trays etc..... The doctor Mick Houldon for his magic pain killing gel and being an absolute gentleman. But most of all my mechanic Jaime- who never reads this so its kinda waisted! he fixed the whole lot and made things fit which had no right too, Emily for doing the Ice runs and number sticking!!. in the crash I hurt my thumb and could not move it or grip at all - so without you guys I woulda been on my way home so take a bow. THANKYOU

We did not get the bike fixed in time for the next session but we were ready for the race. I went out in Qualifying with Micks magic gel on but it hadn't taken effect yet, by lap 4 I was almost in tears and was so relieved to see the end of session flag, although I had put on some better rubber I didn't think I had gone as fast as I could because of the pain. I qualified 4th - I think - or 5th with a time as quick as I had done during the one session of testing - so other than the pain I was well happy. I really wasn't sure how I was going to go race distance tho - I couldn't grip or move my thumb much by now. I kept putting on the gel and took some pain killers that would knock out an elephant - no cheeky comments!!, along with mucho ice - but it didnt seem to be improving at all.

The start of race 1 was very hectic, I got off to a good start but got closed in from both sides hitting other bikes and pulling my arms of the bars, I was waiting for impact but somehow got away with it, I was way down the field and had it all to do. In a weird way it helped me a bit because it got the adrenaline going and I didn't notice the pain in my thumb for the first few laps. I clawed my way back through the field and by lap 4 I was in second but the leader had gone and I had no chance of catching him - his bike was running VERY well. All through the race I had Micky Riddle snapping at my heals and I knew one mistake and he would be past, somehow I held it together and finished 2nd - as good as a win after all we had been through. I could not use my hand at all now though and I was straight back on the ice packs and magic gel.

I got a terrible start in race 2, wheelie's everywhere and no forward motion so I was way down the pack again. I fought my way through to 3rd behind main rival Gav who seemed to have got to grips with the circuit now and it took me until the last lap to real him in. I was gaining a bit each lap on him and coming to the last corner we were side by side. It was all about who had the biggest balls on the brakes - and we both knew it...........as it turned out......he did!! I left it as late as I dare and my only hope was he would over shoot......he didnt and rode really well to hold his line and get the drive out over the line. All this time Jack wright was catching both of us and we all crossed the line together, I got 3rd behind Gav, again after the weekend the finish was the most important thing, another lap and I may have had him but who knows!! and there were no more laps. The thumb hadnt really been too muc of a problem in that one but i can tell you it hurt the day after when the gel and pills had worn off!

once again a BIG thankyou to all.