Mallory Park 28/10/07

The final round of the championship takes us to Mallory Park, with 1st place all but decided it's left to Marcus Wade on the triumph, Russell Mears on his Mille and myself to battle for the last podium positions. I am in 2nd position with Marcus 6 points behind and Russell 26 points behind.

For some reason we are given a warm up session in the morning which proves handy as the weather really can't decide what to do, we are on full wets at the last moment which should make the times closer. However it looks like Russell and Marcus are both finding grip where I can't and really looking strong.

In qualifying we are still on wets and I feel I am riding better, however on the time sheets Russ and Marcus are about a second quicker and I am on 4th on the grid.
The first race is on a slightly drying track but we have to go with full wets, I get a good start following Marcus in to Gerards and feeling comfortable, however he soon starts to pull a gap and Russell comes past me. I only really need to beat Marcus and I can see that I'm not going to do it this race as my tyres are overheating and starting to slide a lot where the Dunlop's of the other 2 are coming into their own. I finish 3rd. Marcus over takes me by 3 points into 2nd by taking the race win.

In the 2nd race it is much wetter and I fancy my chances a bit more - however Marcus has been out in the 600 race and was competing for the win with the fastest lap in that class too!! Even before the first lap has gone I can see he is on another level and just pulling away. Knowing I have sold the SP and not wanting to crash it and lose 3rd in the championship I have no option other than just to ride round and follow Russell home to get the last spot on the podium. Marcus then went on to win the last 600 race as well so full respect to both him and Russ who rode the wheels of their bikes!!

Big respect to Paul Noble and BSD on the 1098, they did enough to take the championship in the first race - then put the bike away and ate pies for the rest of the day. Well Done!!!

So after a hard season of what ifs and highs and lows we finish 3rd overall, behind two well deserving leaders and in front of some great riders. Now its time to start fund raising for next year to see if we can have another go at something else! Thanks to everyone for all the help especially Jamie on the spanners and abuse duty - all you others you know who you are and most of you are on the sponsor's page!
Roll on 2008 seems a long way away before the next adrenalin hit!!