Jurby Airfield, 14th & 15th April 2001

Saturday - Clockwise

Arrived at Jurby around 9:30am and picked a good spot in the paddock, only Ann with me this time as all my crew had something else on…i.e…footie, holidays, scratching their arses, etc………

Got to say thanks again to my Team Manager, Chris, for paying for my entries and getting his hands dirty when required…….Top Banana, that dude……….and no mistake.

Put the awning up with some help from Rob, Phil, Rich, Skinz as its a right twat to put the roof on……but once up it's great…..a hell of a windbreaker.

The weather forecast wasn't good and it had rained overnight, but at Jurby there was a good breeze drying the track, but there were plenty of clouds about and it looked like there was plenty of rain in them.

For this meeting (and all others to follow), the ARA (Andreas Racing Assoc.) had made a few changes………First one was that to quicken the proceedings up, they had reduced the practice sessions to 5 minutes each, and the other was that they said that if you weren't in the holding area by the time the last lap flag came out in the previous race……you'd be too late as the holding area would be closed…..no exceptions. Some people throughout the day missed races as they never made it in time, was close a couple of times myself. They had also agreed to give us two warm up laps, to get the tyres up to temperature, this was the best idea they had. Although must admit, it all ran better than last time.

Eventually got out to practice, it was cold, windy, but mostly dry and did about 5 laps. Don't know what happened on the second practice session cos I only managed two laps then the chequered flag came out…..???? Didn't think I was going that slow. After practice it started to rain, and by the time the first race was called the track was well wet.

I had entered sixteen races this weekend, eight on the Saturday and eight on the Sunday…..(2 of each) 1300 Open Solos Centre Championship, 1300 Open Solos Clubman's Centre Championship, Formula 600 Solos and the Champion of Champions.

I was hoping that the bike was going to last the pace with all these races as it has a dodgy head gasket, so I would have to keep one eye on the temperature gauge, I was also hoping that it wasn't going to be down on power because of it.

The first race was the 1300 Open Solos Centre Championship and it was raining, I didn't have my wet tyres on, I had stuck with my Dunlop D207s because I didn't think the track was wet enough to warrant having them on, but when I got to the start I was wishing I had changed, as it was getting worse by the minute. I had decided not to use them as before the race there had been a break in the clouds and I had hoped that it would clear up..….anyway, too late now, I was at the start……. I was allocated a place on the second row of the grid, and lined up behind Milky Quayle and Nige Beattie……Got another crap start and headed off to the first corner and made my way up to about eighth……..passed somebody else to go seventh….but there was a lot of air getting in my helmet, which was making my eyes water, couldn't understand this as it was ok before and to make matters worse it started to steam up and let water in………….bloody hell………I had my foggy mask on and to be doubly sure I had used some Bob Heath Visor Spray…and none of it worked…..if it wouldn't have been for the fact that I was lying in seventh place I would have pulled in, because I couldn't see where I was going, and it was bloody dangerous…….didn't enjoy it at all, had to open my visor to see where I was going at one point, and knew that I was getting slower, confirmed by the fact that I was passed by two others on the seventh lap, and ended up 9th. cos the race was red flagged after we crossed the line. Somebody must have come off.

Got back to the awning………….disappointed…….the first thing was to get my spare helmet ready……this one has a 'Fog City' in it, and for anyone that doesn't know, its a clear piece of plastic that sticks to the inside of the visor and acts like a sort of 'double glazing'……..So, all ready for my next race.

Next one up was the Clubmans Centre Championship race, on the front of the grid again alongside Rob Sells, the rain had stopped but the track was still damp, which suits me a lot better…..damp track, no rain…. and I had my spare helmet on so hopefully no more vision problems……. the flag dropped and it was the usual suspects that got to the corner first……….Rob, Phil Bell-Scott then me…..Rob and Phil both had their wets on, I didn't have time to change to mine and I was still hoping the rain would stay off and the track would start to get better or at least remain the same and hopefully give me the advantage of having on my intermediates……….. Rob out braked himself and had to go through the cones which put Phil in the lead but he came back on in front of me at the end of the long runway section, but I passed him to go second at Perimeter, so it was just Phil in front of me as we headed for Snuffies and I decided on diving up his inside, this I duly did and hit the front, started to pull away and on the second lap going over the start finish/straight they were holding out a black flag, as I crossed the line I didn't see them holding out any number so I slowed a tad and had a look, but as I went by they didn't seem to be gesturing to me so I cracked on, had a few looks behind and saw no one there so started to take it really steady, and although it was damp I was enjoying myself. Had no slides apart from power slides on to the start/finish straight which is expected in the wet when your winding on the throttle, I don't mind doing that on a left hand corner but on a right hander if I tried it, I would probably fall off……don't know what it is about me and right handers. Started lapping people on about the fourth lap, but kept a steady pace and on the last lap I caught up with Phil, I couldn't believe I was going to lap him but didn't manage it before the flag…….but what the hell…………another win! Turned out Phil had stopped for the black flag because he thought they were holding out his number….No 23…..only trouble was it was No 33…oops….so he stopped for nothing. He rejoined to finish ninth with Rob in fourth, so I extended my lead in the Championship….quite chuffed….three wins out of three……. apparently No 33 was Decca Kelly and he was out in the wrong race!

My next race was the second 1300 Open Solos Centre Championship, the track was still damp and there was some misty rain but fortunately it wasn't making the track any wetter, was on the second row again, another shite start but started to plough through the field and dived up the inside of Phil Kneen at Snuffies to go third on about the fourth lap, he told me afterwards that the speed I was going he didn't think I was going to make the corner, but I was taking it at the same speed every lap. Saw it was Big H on his R1 and Milky on the RC45 ahead of me, but I was running at a pace I felt comfortable with, and knew I would have to push harder than I wanted to, to try and catch them, so settled down and had a good ride to………..third!……yeeessss, my best Centre Championship result so far. Milky posted the fasted lap of 1'04.3 and Ann (my Chief Timekeeper) said I was lapping at 1'05…..well happy with that….only gutted that I can't get off the line better, get a good start, get in behind the leaders and try and keep up…..and then try and get past.

Next race up was the Formula 600 Solos, on the second row again, only this time the rain had started, still hadn't had time to change to my wet tyres, and now the track was definitely wet enough to warrant having them on. Getting fed up with saying I got another bad start, but I did again, all the races were reduced to six laps, and I passed Paul Dedman on the ex Kirk McCarthy Castrol Honda to go fourth and held that place until the last lap when he got back past me at Perimeter. He was on wets as well, and going around Nans on the last lap, got better drive out of the chicane and heading towards the line was passing him back, but his bike was faster than mine and he got to the line 0.2 seconds ahead…….bugger……his bike is fast…..so I ended up fifth.

I was straight out again for the next race, the second Clubmans Championship race…… still didn't have time to change to my wets, and it was still raining. Was on the first row again, and again it was Rob, Phil, then me. Passed Phil at Perimeter and headed up to Snuffies after Rob, but he was riding well and was pulling away, every time I tried to push it a bit the bike started to slide all over the place, and I knew I wasn't going to catch him unless he made a mistake, but he didn't and went on to win with me in second and as expected Phil in third…….was a bit disappointed as I had really wanted to win, but as they say, 'you can't win em all', so decided to miss the Champion of Champions race to put my wet tyres on……

Struggled to put them on with the help of my Team Manager, Chris, it's always the same when you're in a rush, nothing goes right, and you're trying not to get your leathers covered in oil, but got them fitted in time for the Formula 600 race……was on the second row again, and had to go around the outside of a few at the first corner, but felt a lot more confident with the wets on, made my way up to fourth and could see Milky, Beattie and Dedman ahead…… started to make up some ground and then Milky lost the front going into the long runway chicane, he must have bounced 200 yards down the track, and the three of us had to ride around him, he got to his feet so it looked like he was okay……..started to catch the front two and was only a few yards behind until the bike started to misfire…… then it dawned on me, with all the rushing to put the wheels in……………I'd forgotten to put petrol in it!!!……..it started to go pu-pa-pu-pa pop pop pop……so I stuck my hand in the air to signal I was pulling in……..then bike coasted to a stop……………. I was absolutely gutted………..I could have been on for a major result…..I was actually off the bike pushing it by the time the guy behind me came past. So pushed the bike halfway round the track to the paddock……..couldn't believe I had made another schoolboy error………filled up the tank and she fired in to life!

Decided to call it a day after that, thought I'd quit while I was still in one piece as the last race was the Champion of Champions and I decided on saving myself for tomorrow……… the forecast had given a better day…….

So packed everything into the van for home, except the awning which I was going to leave up there, had the spare wheel of the van dangling from the middle of it to add some extra weight, but with a better day forecast I thought it would be safe to leave, was going to leave the van up there as well, but was advised against it…….so tootled off home for a bath……..ready for another day's racing tomorrow.

Sunday - Anticlockwise

Woke up and had a looksee out of my window to see that it was wet.....wasn't too bothered, and thought 'Ah well, if it stays wet I won't have to change my wheels'. Picked up two of my mates, Seany Sean and Geller, who were going to help me out today.

Sunday didn't get off to the best of starts.........arrived at Jurby with the boys, to find that my awning had blown upside down.........bollocks. It must have been bloody windy to blow that over!....Jurby should be renamed - Force 10.

At least it wasn't half way down the runway...... The first thing that we had to do was dismantle it, as soon as we had that done we had to put it back up again, this time the right way round. There was some damage to it with bent poles and a couple of holes in the canvas, but with the help on my crew and Phil Kneen and Rob Colvin, we had it back upright, shipshape and bristol fashion, although it was a struggle to put up in the strong wind that was blowing. A bit of patchin' and weldin' will be required at a later date. Good job the boys had come with me cos I'd never have managed it on my own.

Had to sign on again and put the bike through scrutineering, also had to change the wheels back to my Dunlop D207 GPs as the sun had come out and had dried the track and with the blue skies above it looked like it could be a nice dry day, apart from the gust that was blowing......but hey, that's Jurby for you. Geller is my calming influence....nothing fazes the guy, whereas I'm the panic, panic.....oh shit.........quick get it done sort.

Anyway, got out to practice and was first on the track, didn't get passed by anyone except Nigel Beattie, following him in to the Bus Stop chicane his rear end was fishtailing as he jammed the anchors on......I thought that he was trying a bit. Followed around the track and he was weaving all the way down the straights, Juan had mentioned that he did this when he followed him, the crafty bugger knows the track that well he was dodging all the bumps! The flag came out to end the session so I only did five laps.

I had changed back to my first choice helmet and it was still letting air in, so I repositioned my foggy mask to try and stop it. On the second practice session going over the start/finish straight the mask clamped that tightly over my face I couldn't breathe!.........got through the chicane, pulled in and took the mask off and then rejoined, the session ended as I crossed the line.......shite....... only got two laps. Not the best idea I've ever had. So it was back to my spare helmet again after that.

First race was the 1300 Open Solos Centre Championship, and after yesterday I was in 4th place in the standings, which surprised me, but also put me on the front row of the grid. Decided on trying something different to get off the line as I'm sure it's me that doesn't have the bike revving hard enough and it's bogging down and I'm getting passed by too many others........the flag dropped and I popped a wheelie .........shite, quickly followed by another one, and from pole position on the grid I must have been in 20th going into the first corner........disaster. The race was red flagged on the first lap as Tim Devlin had highsided exiting the Bus Stop chicane and dropped loads of oil. So it was back to the pits, I was glad that I was going to get another go after the mother of all bad starts.

The re-start fared better, (not much), but dived up a few insides and made up a few places, although I could have been a bit more aggressive and made some earlier, but was making them up steadily. Into the first Chicane after the start/finish straight going into Nans, out braked Paul Dedman on his Castrol Honda into 7th place, it was difficult to get the bike tipped into the corner because of the wind, could see Corrin, Alton and Palmer ahead so set about after them. Going around Snuffies on about the seventh lap, had an almighty fright when the front slipped sideways about a foot, not the place to jump off when you're flat out in 5th gear. That knocked the stuffing out of me a bit and could see the three in front slowly pulling away, I just wanted to get to the finish, and duly did, staying in 7th. A bit of a scare that, on the inside of that bend my front wheel hit a small bump and damp strip where the tarmac joins the tarmac. Decided on avoiding this for the rest of the day.

Next race up was the 1300 Open Solos Clubmans Championship, Geller and Seany Sean had the bike all re-fuelled and ready and took it to the holding area, and I ambled along when I was ready...........great. Was on the front row, and as usual was third into the first corner behind Phil and Rob, passed Rob when we got to the Bus Stop and tailed Phil down the back straight.......into the Perimeter bend, Phil is really quick round there, better than most I've followed, and his green knee slider was leaving a lot of marks on the track.......was still tailing him over the start/finish line but wanted to get past him as soon as possible this time and did so going into Nans and got my head down, was pulling out nearly two seconds a lap and had a nice lead, so started to ease up a bit and recorded another win.......which I was well pleased about, Rob came in second with Phil in third (after it nearly highsided him at Snuffies) was also looking forward to the next Clubmans race. Need to get as much a lead in this Championship as possible, as I'm due to miss a couple of rounds.

Next up was the second Centre Championship race, and was on the front row again, really wanted a good start this time, get into the top 6 and be the first 600 bike to the finish, cos in my opinion, Jurby is a big bike track. Had another average start, but not as bad as the last time and made up a few places again, it was still really windy and it was still harder than normal trying to tip the bike into the corners, but kept making up places and got up to 6th.........saw Rob Alton on his R1 a couple of hundred yards ahead and was reeling him in till he pulled them all back on the straights......which was a little disheartening every lap, but he kept a two second cushion on me till the finish and I ended up .......6th. So got what I set out for with also being the first 600 home.

Next up was the Formula 600 race..........the boys had the bike all ready again......I've not had much luck in these races so far, with the chain coming off before the start of one and running out of petrol in another.......so with the words of Geller ringing in my ears 'Try and finish this one'...........I had my best start of the day and was about 5th into the first corner, passed two before the Bus Stop to go third and it was Beattie, Dedman then me........... on the exit from the Bus Stop I decided on making a move on Dedman and go around the outside of him and tail Beattie, because I didn't want him to get away........and whilst doing so was probably cranked over more than normal and when I fed the power in..............it highsided me...........ouch!

I don't remember much about the actual crash, but I flew in the air and landed heavily, but remembered what ex IOM Champion Kenny Harrison told me about keeping your arms tucked in to your body, cos if you don't you might break them, so although it happened in a split second I remember doing this. The race wasn't red flagged as I was up and off the track really quickly, the main reason for this was that I saw my bike heading for me with the rear wheel spinning.........and I didn't want to get in the way of that. As I got up I could feel where I was hurting and I had obviously landed on both heels and the base of my back but otherwise I was okay. The bike, however wasn't. At first glance it wasn't good............ All the bodywork, the tank, both front forks, footrest, swingarm, both handlebars, front brake master cylinder and switchgear..........the bike had bounced on both sides (I'm lucky, me!).....Bollocks, also That Geller, he's a bloody Jonah he is.......amazingly the exhaust didn't have a scratch on it. That was the end of my day's racing and I couldn't help feeling that I had chucked loads of guaranteed points away..........Oh for a spare bike. If I had one, although I was sore, I would definitely have gone back out, maybe not won anything else but got some finishes and more importantly, points.......especially in the Clubmans Championship.......now thats four wins, a second and a DNS (did not start).

Got vanned back to the paddock after the race.......... gutted. Packed the bike, all my kit and the Awning in my van and watched the rest of the races.......Phil won the second Clubmans Championship race from Rob by 0.1 of a second, so no favours done to me there, they're still right on my tail.

After the racing was over, Geller drove the van back to Peel and we all unloaded it and had a closer look at the damage.............wasn't any better. My helmet had a chip out of it and my new Celtic Leathers were a bit scuffed and ripped where I must have caught the footpeg with my leg....... but they stood up amazingly well.........it benefits from having good kit (they're christened now for sure).

So, all in all it could have been worse, but I'll live to fight another day. Got straight on to Richard Hocking from Bikes'n'Stuff in Peterborough and he is arranging to send me what I need to repair........top man. Also decided while the thing is in pieces to get the head gasket done and put a new clutch in it as well.......for peace of mind if nothing else, as I'm sure the gasket was definitely on its way out......but we'll soon see.

Went to the presentation night at the Hydro Hotel in Douglas, picked up some trophies and had a good night...... there was a few of us limping about.

Next trip up is the New Era Superclub on 6th/7th May at Mallory and Donington, just hope everything is done in time.......there's a hell of a lot to do.

So.....tune in next time for another very exciting, windy, bouncing down the track, ankle twisting episode of....... Tommy Clucas Racing.