Race six, Thruxton

Final race of the season also was the tenth race day of my career so was on course for a tenth signature meaning next season would be undertaken with a clubman license instead of a novice license and no high visibility vest. Thruxton is the fastest circuit on the UK calendar, some road races such as the Isle of Mann TT are faster in sections however for a closed circuit, Thruxton is the fastest with its long and slightly uphill back straight.

Stood on the pit wall watching other riders go past, all looked fine from the pits. Out on the track for untimed practice and the track was unlike any I had ridden to date. Silverstone may have been similar however the rain prevented a fair comparison. Thruxton is so wide and open that average speed per lap was 10 mph faster than any circuit visited to date. Is also so flat that seeking out the next corner is a real confidence trick and you end up knee down at speed waiting for the track to appear in front of you. Turns seven and eight, Goodwood to Village is a case in point. After apexing turn seven in fourth you drift across the track hoping that turn eight appears before you run out of track, does not help that there is a bump on the exit of turn seven which if you are not tight enough lifts the front wheel of the track, best avoided when knee down at 90 mph.

Timed practice and the race went well, finished last but three so no improvement on Pembrey and worse than Anglesey. Thruxton, along with Castle Combe is heavily restricted on the number of races that are run there so once a race meeting is announced it is normally heavily subscribed. There were many riders at Thruxton and Castle Combe that had not been to the other race meetings so a result of last but three was fair and it provided the tenth and final signature. Bike and rider in the condition they arrived. Home, beer and reflection on my first season in racing.