Snetterton Endurance Report
Having never done an endurance before I was really looking forward to a nice relaxing meeting with my good friend and sponsor ‘Chutney’ from PCR (if you want your bike spraying he is your man!). We had decided to team up for a 3 hour 2 man endurance race. We had no idea what to do or where to go – it was great! Just like being a novice again.

With this being a one day event we were set to qualify in 2 separate sessions, as Stu was on the Mille that didn’t really compare to my GSXR it would be by time that would decide the grid position - I had it in my head that I only had the one set of tyres and they were the part worns from the last cadwell meeting and they had to do another hour and a half on track after this session. I had already done a 20 mins practice in the morning as well and I could already feel they were past their prime – it had been raining and drizzling most of the day so the track was a little greasy as well. We ended up 6th on the grid. I was feeling more comfortable on the bike again and we made some adjustments to the still standard forks as they really were not behaving under braking and turning – even more so than at cadwell.

Come the race we lined up the bike against pit wall with Chutney holding the bike up while I was on the other side of the track le-mans style waiting for the flag to drop – it was so weird and silent – not a word from the crowd or riders and no engines running – so strange - the flag drops and everyone sprints to the bikes, I get off to an ok start although I lose a few spots on the drag into the first corner as I didn’t get it started first time. With Craig Fitzpatrick at the front setting the pace and I am tempted into a quick lap time frenzy to see what I can do but soon settle into the worn tyre long race state of mind and am lapping in the low 13’s with no drama at all – and pulling in the guys who set of quick on the first few laps – just as I am on the back wheels on the pack in front it starts to drizzle and I back off the times and follow round the group – we are already in back markers, there is a couple of big crashes as it is now pissing down and the pace car is out – it’s the end of my 35 min stint anyway and I am in to let Chutney endure the weather.

Chutney is still on dries and comes back in after a few laps wanting wets – but we decide to send him back out again as we would not have time to change them and send him back out in time again. Its not raining hard so we put the inters on my bike just in time for Chutney to come in and make the change over again. A few laps in and the track is drying a bit and coming to my tyres and I am thinking I can claw back in some time –we are in 5th when the heavens open again and it really rains! I wobble round through the puddles until its in time to pitt - Chutney is on wets and ready to go.

Chutney sets to banging in some consistent times on the wets and is getting the time back again for us, in my break we try to get the dries of the rims and fit my wets on – its gonna be tight – especially when we realize the front wet is a 16.5” and is never gonna fit the wheel! Bugger!!! Back on with the inters which will now be as good as useless as its pissing down! Before we know it Chutneys in with an endo into the change box and looking good! Exept there is oil everywhere, I get out anyway to let them have a look but there are puddles everywhere and I am just a sitting duck for the guys with wets on – a few big moment later I come in to see if I am wasting my time – I am as Chutneys bike is going nowhere, the belly pan is full of oil and that’s us done for the day.

But we will be back for some more – and now knowing the format I am sure we can contend for a result next time. Game on.

A massive thanks to Stu Reid for pitt boarding and twirling the spanners and to Adam for being our designated Marshall (every team has to have one or there is no racing!) A mega weekend, got a few more miles on the bike and improved the set up and had a right larf in the process. Excellent.