Jake's Report:

As per usual, when me and dad arrived at the track, the awnings where already set up thanks to Lizz, Gipp and Nige.

First run out in the morning and the headwind was unbelieveable! It knoked my MPH down to 56! Despite the wind, the bike launched well with a small wheel spin. Back in the pits, we tried raising the forks to get the spin down to a minimum. Next run out, it turned out that this had bought back the bogging problems from last meeting! Not wanting to lower the forks, we decided to tighten the clutch springs slightly. While this did get us a slightly better launch it still wasn’t great so back to the pits for the same adjustment again. On the last run before eliminations we still had a better launch but not quite good enough. We had only one option left. Dial in slow and try to push Lou out. The bike still launched with a bog as usual, when we were nearing the end of the track I couldn’t see Lou so decided to roll off. As soon as I saw the ticket, I was kicking myself immediately. On my 11.50 dial in I had run a 11.48. If only I had rolled off slightly sooner! Never mind, theres allways next meeting!

As always, I would like to thank my sponsors Doug at Ensys (ensys.co.uk) and Uncle Steve at Motorshack. Also, Dad, Lizz, Gipp, Nige and Chris for help over the weekend.

Lizz's Report:

Firstly big thanks go to Richard Gipp and Nigel for the huge amount of help in getting both awnings up, tool boxes sorted, and myself and Jake’s bike set up ready for scrutineering, whilst Kevin went off to fetch afore mentioned Junior Drag Racer from Southampton. When they arrived back, all they had to do was get Jake signed on and scrutineered, so happy days. Kevin had done quite a bit of work on my bike since the last meeting, where I unfortunately made contact with the wall. I was therefore feeling quite positive that I could bury demons, have some quite quick runs, and try to keep my lead in the Championship. Saturday came, so did the most ferocious head wind, and so did the crew, Chris Pyke and Julie Moxley. Sarah (Minx) would be arriving Sunday. All knew all too well how I would be feeling, so the mood was quite serious. I on the other hand let it all get to me, and was very apprehensive on how the bike would behave.

Qualifier 1

First one against Jem Ven, I’d never raced against her in qualifying, and I think we were both looking forward to it. Good burnout, up to the line, and that’s where it all went a bit wrong. As I paddled in, I felt that I wasn’t straight, when I launched, I realised that I was right, launched very hard, big tyre shake, and shot to the left, and with the wind as well as the swiftness of the launch, my brain didn’t have time to react as well as I would like, and I was heading toward the centre line. Before I knew it I had crossed lanes. “Where the F*** was Jemma,” I thought, so stayed as close to the centre line as I could, before she skipped passed me, apparently a superb riding job, anticipated my move, and ran a 7.72, and run one of a National Speed record ! I was mortified, I have been taught its bad manners to cross lanes, but I went exactly the direction I was facing. eneral consensus of opinion was that when I paddled into pre stage, I moved the bars to the left, and once it was in my head that I wasn’t straight, it was game over. My fault entirely. Went to see Jemma and apologise, she was very cool about it all. Only upside was a 1.13 60 foot!

Qualifier 2

Minor adjustments to the bike, to make sure the bike could go a straight as it could possibly could. Both Chris and Kev at separate times gave me a bit of a talking to. Concentrate on the end of the track, let nothing take your eyes from the end. The throttle does turn both ways!! I am blessed with some amazing crew, with a wealth of experience, and will always appreciate how lucky I am. Next run against Phil Crossley, and what a run. Remembering everything that Chris and Kev had told me, and really concentrating hard – Burnout, launch run, I could see Phil all the way up the track out of the corner of my eye, thinking “I wish he would go away!” Turned off at the top end, very happy to have 1. Got to the top in my own lane, 2. Forgot about the head wind 3. Happy nothing messed with my head. I looked at Phil, thanked him for a great race and neither had a clue who had got there first! It was me!! 1.14 60 foot and 7.82 @ 160 to Phil’s 7.99 @ 157mph - Gave me the number 2 position! Jemma at number one, with a new track record to boot. Many Congratulations to her!

Qualifier 3

Bike and rider all ready to go. Went through all my checks, and down to the pairing lanes, this time against great mate Allan Davies. Had a giggle in the fire up road, I love Comp bike, we are by far this season’s most impressive bike class, in my opinion, with such a mixture of bikes, plus we all get on so well! No clue what happened to Allan, until the end, to find he never got off the line. Meanwhile I ran a 1.13 60 foot and a 7.72 @ 160mph, keeping the number 2 spot. Minx, Jedi Master to Julie’s Grasshopper eventually turned up …. !!

1st round Elims

Up against Kevin Osman. He was still getting to grips with his new bike, but what a lovely fella. He had problems off the line, which was bad for him, good for me 1.14 60 foot 7.74 @ 161mph Next round, I would have had Tony Clark, but unfortunately after a brave effort from the track crew, after a deluge of rain, the track dried, and us called, the rain came down in earnest. Eventually the meeting was called, and then the sun just to be a tease, decided to come out! A marvellous weekend as always, and big thanks as always, in no particular order:- Super Crew and associates, Kevin Charman, Jake Charman, Chris Pyke, Julie and Steve Moxley, Sarah Chapman, Richard Gipp, Nigel Sadler. Tony Gillam at abbeymotorsports.co.uk – Thanks is not sufficient, but thanks – Doug at www.ensys.co.uk- Jay Regan at MRE who got clutch plates to me super quick, everyone at Eurodragster.com, and Dragbike.com Next outing at the Retro Show doing demos. Hope to see some of you there .