Skerries road race.
As usual it was raining as we set off to catch the ferry, Dot, John
and Jacob. Luke had let me down so we had a free space (what a
waste), the security guard asked the usual daft question "do you have
any sharp implements fuel cans etc" we had these questions last time,
so we knew the answers they wanted.
We got to the paddock in time to do a few laps of the circuit in the
van before unloading setting up camp next to Jim and Mayve.
After finding out what my race no's were, I got the bikes ready for
scrutiny.
Roads close at 4-o clock. Circuit newcomers first my practice second.
Practice on the f1 went ok bike pulling clean etc, I'm a bit rusty as
I have not raced since last year's Killalane meeting.
After some trouble getting the Honda 350 started, the clutch dragging
and slipping? This is my first ride on a 350 Honda and I'm not sure
what to expect. Rich (the bike's owner) was right, I soon got the
hang of it. I have cursed the "bastards" on these red bikes when I'm
on my commando. Now I can see now how they go so fast, the 350 is an
easy bike to ride, a complete contrast to the Norton round Skerries,
easy to keep flat out mostly everywhere. I did 73 mph on the Honda
and 82 mph on the f1.
After the practice my pit crew went to the village to sample some of
the local brew and I stayed in the paddock and had an early night.
Race day morning came and although it had been raining during the
night it looked like we might get away with having 2 days of good
weather.
The form for race day is the same as for practice. Scrutiny for the
bikes and then sign on. A rider briefing is compulsory where we were
told that the sports council was doing random drug tests for riders
and officials. 2 riders to be called from each race (I don't know
of a performance enhancing drug for motorcycle racing but there you
go it keeps someone in a job).
I'm out in the 2nd race on the f1 after 1 warm up lap I take my place
on the grid, I had a good race with no problems, it's over geared on
Manx gearing but never mind I finished 13th.
After the race I get the crowd coming up to look at the F1 and ask
questions. The rotary still has a strong following. I'm told that no
one cares where I finish just so long as they get to hear it going
round.
Time for my first race on a Honda! During the warm up lap the clutch
is still playing up so I decide to take it easy to make sure I get a
finish, I got the best start I have had in a long time. After a few
laps behind John Arthur Jones swapping places I eventually get by him
on the last lap, going round the outside on the way up to the tunnel,
finishing in 6th oh what fun it cant be legal.
The rest of the afternoon spent stumbling round the paddock with a
short stay in the cricket club bar.
There is a presentation in the Yacht bar scheduled to start at 9pm so
we headed off to get some food, at 11pm someone called for some
hush "right lads lets try to get this over as quick as we can so we
can go back to the important stuff"
At the presentation I found that the money only goes down to 5 th in
the classic race we headed back to the paddock for more drink.
Packing up in the morning/afternoon we headed off to the ferry and
were home by early evening.