Race five, Castle Combe

Fifth learning point, again, when tyres go they go. This was the fourth race day on this set of tyres so knew they would need changing by the end of the day, turned out they did not last that long. At Pembrey the tyres went on a straight so gave me a fright in the next corner but it was recoverable. At Castle Combe they went mid corner. My first crash.

Low sided high revs in third coming out of turn three, called quarry, speed around 60 mph. All races to date had been club level races so a couple of hundred spectators mostly crew for racers. Castle Combe was a national level race that the 400 class and others were supporting so there were several thousand spectators. Quite a few of whom were at Quarry. Tyres went, bike went, rider hit track, my god it all happens so fast. One moment, knee down, looking at next corner, sensing where the revs are, then you be in the tarmac.

Never been off a bike before, in twelve years of road riding, two track experiences, two track days and four race weekends so this was a new experience. Whilst sliding I remembered that as long as you hit nothing and nothing hits you, you will walk away. So, sliding across the track towards the grass looked back down the track there were no other riders about to hit me, good. Was sliding off the track towards the grass, which is off the racing line and out of harm’s way, good. Unfortunately my bike was sliding towards me so needed to distance the bike and I. Put feet out and pushed the bike away. Just in time as … bang, hit the grass and it launched me into the air, grass, sky, grass, sky, arms and legs flailing. Remembered watching World Super Bikes and all the riders form a loose cage when they are tumbling so pulled in my arms and legs and waited for the world to stop.

My god that hurt. Quick mental check of all limbs, all okay, onto feet and stumbled behind a barrier for safety. Wow, the sweat, the heart rate and damn I was hot. Gloves off, helmet off, deep breath. Another deep breath. Marshall asking if I am okay, I was. Crowd bizarrely all silent, turned round and saw three hundred expectant faces all looking at me in eager anticipation … gave them thumbs up and had three hundred people cheering and clapping. Bizarre feeling. Everyone likes a crash but everyone likes them to end well. This one did. Race finished, van turned up and loaded up the bike, more smiling and waving to the crowd who all waved back, into the van and back to the pits.

What happens next? Never having crashed before this was going to be new. Turns out you are dropped off at scrutineering for a quick inspection, the scrutineers give you the fail points on rider and bike. These fails need to be fixed and rider and/or bike re-inspected prior to being allowed back out to race. Had two and a half hours until the next race. Whole team descended on the bike with tape and hammers. Tyres caused the crash so they needed replacing, crash bung took the majority of the impact so needed removing, screen was smashed and needed replacing, fairing was damaged and needed repairing, screen brace was bent and needed straightening. Two hours and 15 minutes later the bike had been re-inspected by scrutineering and signed off as safe to race.

When you start racing you are a novice and as such must wear a high visibility vest. Complete a race, not timed practice but the formal race, and the organisers will sign your log book. Ten signatures and the ACU will allow you to race as a clubman instead of a novice. The crash happened in timed practice, needed to complete the race to get a signature otherwise no signature for the day. Had no choice but to pucker up and get on with it. Note the tape holding the fairing together and the disconcerted look in the eyes.

Deep breath, leathers on, final race of the meeting. All confidence gone, heart and head in the wrong place. Pootled around at the back and got round last by a country mile.