Having committed ourselves to a date to test the new fuel bike and get everyone together, we went to a Run What Ya Brung at Santa Pod.

Bearing in mind that the bike was a new build so new to us, all checks had been made, the fuelling had been set as well as we could, before riding it in anger on the track!

We fired it up on nitro, this has to be done at the track anyway due to the phenomenal noise of the thing, the restrictions we have at present on the fuel and also not wanting to scare or annoy our neighbours!

I had not ridden a top fuel bike since 2011, being the first time riding one of these huge machines for a while I obviously was a little nervous!

It was great having Lizz and Jake crewing for me along with good friends Dean and Dan, they organized themselves who was doing what, and let me know so that I could concentrate on what I needed to do.

By the time we had checked over the bike and made adjustments needed, we had one shot at getting on the track, for only a burnout and launch. Jake towed me down, leaving Lizz, Dean and Dan to bring the paraphernalia needed to start the bike: starter cart, sure shot and stand.

So on the stand, the bike was started and clicked over to nitro, I rolled forward through the water box, and made my first burnout. This went okay though a little short of rolling through the start line. I made the decision to roll into stage from when I had stopped, even though I was pointing slightly left, to a little confusion of the crew. But Jake, who was pushing back told them I said this was what I wanted to do.

This meant that I launched in that direction, as soon as I hit the throttle! Not a big issue as the plan was only to do the 60 foot. I continued to trundle to the end of the track, happy the initial step to getting the bike on the track has been made.

Thank you as always to my crew, and the Santa Pod track crew for their patience and support.

Next stop Summer Nationals !