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DAVID BELL RACING

2011

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David Bell Kawasaki on Youtube

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AUGUST 2011

Hello again, I eventually got the bike finished and took it down to Paul at Dynobike in Malton for him to work his magic on it, I left it there for a day or so then went to pick it up with the news that we had 116bhp which I was happy enough with he’d also fitted the quickshifter which makes things a little easier on my hand so we were ready to rock. A few days later I was off to Cadwell Park for a trackday with my mate Derek Heron who was making his return to the track after a lengthy layoff, the weather was good and things started off pretty slowly as I was just getting used to riding in that position again. It was open pitlane so we could go on and off the track as we pleased, the first few sessions went by pretty fast and I was starting to get the hang of it although everything felt alien to me after riding the ER6 for 4 years. After lunch the track was a lot quieter and I tried to pick the pace up a little although I was still just taking my time and still getting used to the Honda but things were going good and the bike felt spot on, by the end of the day we were both knackered but had a good day and I’d done what I needed so was happy.

    Just over a week later I was at Scarborough for the Barry Sheene Classic meeting, the weather was good and I was riding at No 7 which was ironic given it was the Barry Sheene race, I went out in first practice and everything felt awful I couldn’t get comfortable I was struggling to find braking points nothing wrong with the bike it was just me, timed practice didn’t go much better again I struggled with braking I could catch people up then just had no confidence to go past, I got stuck behind MCN’s Chad and just couldn’t get past eventually I got by then coming down the hill I braked a little too late, lifted the back wheel and had to let the brakes off in the end I ran wide allowing him back through and that was my session over. Feeling really down I returned to the paddock and felt like putting the bike in the van and going home as I couldn’t see how I was going to turn my day around, to add insult to injury Michael Minns came along with the times and I’d qualified on the back row in 16^th place, I decided that I would just use it as more practice to get a better feeling for the bike and see where we ended up.

Leading my mate Mike Minns in practice.    Photo Chris Machin www.oliversmount.com

As we lined up on the grid for race one it was like friends re-united on the back row, there was me, Michael Minns, Derek Heron and another mate Rab Davie who was making his debut. The lights went out and I made a decent start picking up a couple of places, the first two laps went pretty much the same as practice and I struggled to make up places then I got carved up coming down into farm bends and lost a place, this must have triggered something in my brain and I thought bollocks to this because straight away I started to pass people easily and moved my way through to the front of the group, I could see another couple of bikes in the distance although they must have had 3 or 4 seconds on me but with my new found confidence I pushed on and caught them within 4 laps, as I got on the back of them my arm was starting to pump up but I kept going and got past Deggsy after a slight collision coming out of Mere hairpin, I was now right behind Mark Goodings and made a move on the exit of Drury’s I thought I’d made it stick but he came back underneath at Mountside, I made the same move again a lap later but this time held onto it and made it to the flag to finish 6^th which I was over the moon with.

Gaining confidence over the jumps   Photo CDH photography

Unfortunately I had to start race 2 from the same grid position so I made another decent start but this time started moving through straight away, by half race distance I was up to 6^th and chasing down Deggsy in 5^th, once behind I followed him for a couple of laps then made a move up the inside into Drury’s and then pulled away slightly to finish 5^th . I was as happy as larry with my race results especially after the way things had gone in practice so things were looking up and I felt much better on the bike.

A week later and I was off to the Isle of Man for the Southern 100 now usually Susan and the kids go everywhere with me but this time they were staying at home as Spencer is at school now so I had the help of my mate Steve Abbott aka “the Bitch” for the week, I met him at Heysham and we got on the boat only to have a run in with this tosspot Kiwi who didn’t want to move his helmet so we could sit down, after we sorted that the journey was spot on and the Irish sea was like a mill pond. We got down to the paddock and got set up then headed up to signing on and just made it in time for the final briefing before going for a well earned pint or two. The weather on Monday was tremendous and after going for a famous Southern 100 full english we went back and sorted out the rest of the stuff and made sure that the bike was ready for practice later that evening, I took Steve down to the Calf of Mann as he’d never been before and had a coffee before heading back to chill. 5pm quickly came around and we took the bike for scrutineering then put it in the holding bay with the tyre warmers on ready to go at 6:30, they put our board up and the first couple of laps I was just getting a feel for the place again then I got stuck behind a couple of slower riders on fast bikes and it was back to Scarborough where I was just lacking a bit of confidence to go past, anyway the session ended and I was happy enough. For the 2^nd session I got out near the front and it was much better I managed to get some good laps in and felt good although there was still room for improvement but I was happy.

                                        Wheelieing past Joey’s Gate.             Photo Ken Barnett

Tuesday morning was again tremendous weather and after giving the bike an oil change and a good check over and clean we went for a ride around the Island as we had a few hours to spare, after chilling out a little we got the bike scrutineered again and ready to go out. We were out first as there was only one session tonight as our first race was later, I got out early again and got in some real good laps and was eager to see the time sheets, I was over the moon to see I’d knocked off 7 seconds from the previous night and averaged 100mph lap which put me on row 7 for the 1000/600cc race. My dad, brother, Trevor and Mick Anderson came today just in time for the race and they couldn’t have picked a better week, I made a good start but then a bike moved over on me and I had to shut off which let two or three past, on the run into the first corner I was probably a bit tentative and I can honestly say it’s the most insane start to a race I’ve ever been involved in, I made it through then got stuck behind a guy on a Kawasaki who just wanted to put himself into every hedge/wall possible so I quickly got past him and got my head down to catch the group infront, when I got on the back of them I was behind Alan Jackson on his very trick Moriwaki Moto 2 bike, I was faster through the bumpy back section and he and the others had quicker bikes so pulled a gap down the straights, we yo yo’d like this for a few laps until he got past the Aprilia in front then it was my turn, I got right behind him coming out of Church bends and stayed in his slipstream for as long as I could and got a good run on him through Stadium corner slipping up the inside into the last corner, I got on the gas quick and thought I’d made it stick as we went onto the last lap but he zapped me right at the end of the straight I braked later and nipped back up the inside but I was a gear too high on the exit and he got past again, I never really got close enough again and finished 19^th but was 5^th 600 so I was happy with that, we later went for a pint or two after watching Ian & Carl Bell finish 3^rd in the Sidecar race. Wednesday was yet again a scorcher and after sorting the bike we just chilled out in Castletown with my dad and the boys, they were drinking but I had to stay sober as I was racing again tonight, I was on row 5 for the 600cc race and on the inside of the track which is the best side to be on, I made a good start and tucked in behind Conor Cummins and Davy Morgan, they were pulling away slowly but I was hanging on as best I could then I went into the last corner a little hot and ran wide messing up my drive onto the start/finish straight, I lost one place but was right behind him when the red flags came out after a big accident involving Dan Sayle through the Black Hole, I was a bit disappointed after making such a good start but was pleased to hear that nobody was seriously hurt, the race was abandoned and wouldn’t be re-run.

Accelerating out of Castletown Corner alongside Paul Smyth.   Photo Mick Anderson

Wednesday night was spent prepping the bike ready for Thursday morning’s race and an early night was had. Thursday was the hottest day of all and I was looking forward to the race, I was of from row 5 again and made another good start tucking in behind Conor and Davy again, I hung on for as long as I could but they eventually disappeared and I lost one place to Lee Vernon on the next lap then Mark Parrot and local Andy Fenton came by a lap later, I hung onto them and again could pull them back in through the back section but their bikes were faster than mine and eased out a gap on the straights, eventually they gapped me enough so I couldn’t make a move and I settled down to finish 13^th which I was over the moon with I also knocked a further 1.5 seconds off my best lap time so happy days. I had to see if I’d made it into the Solo Championship race as it’s by invitation only so I was glad to see I had back on the 7^th row.

Rounding Castletown Corner en route to 13^th in the 600 race.       Photo Dave Silvester.

I made a good start but again was a little tentative going into the first corner and got eaten up by some 1000’s down the next long straight, I spent a couple of laps sorting myself out then got my arse into gear and started to push on I outbraked Paul Smyth at Cross Four Ways then got on with the job of passing the two 1000’s in front, I got a good run on Dennis Booth through the bomb hole and made the same move again into Cross Four Ways he came past again on he run down to Stadium but I slipped up the inside into Castletown corner only to be blown away down the start finish straight, I then built up again and repeated the move into Cross Four ways and it was like déjà vu for the rest of the lap, Booth passed Paul Duckett and I knew I had to follow if I had any chance of moving up so I got as close as possible through Joey’s Gate and made a move up the inside into Ballabeg Hairpin I then had a real good run through the back and outbraked him into Cross Four Ways, this time I managed to stay ahead and after a couple of clear laps had broken clear, I’d also closed in on the 15^th place Aprilia of Dave Smith. Within half a lap I was on his back wheel and feeling really confident, I tucked in behind him and as we approached the bomb hole he slowed a little, I was on a slightly different line to him which allowed me to go straight through and pull a little gap then disaster struck not half a lap later, as I braked for the last turn just as I was going to tip it in the chain snapped and that was my race over with only one lap to go, I was gutted as I’d rode my arse off but that’s the way it goes sometimes and on the whole it had been a cracking week so I was happy. After the long push back to the paddock we got packed away and went down to the square for the presentation night and a well deserved drink. The ferry home the next morning seemed to take ages but we got home and I was over the moon to see Susan and the boys and tell them all about it.

The exact moment my chain snapped caught on camera. Photo Dave Silvester.

    The following weekend we were at Scarborough for the Cock o the North and I was looking forward to it after such a good week at the Southern, I was now feeling comfortable on the bike so things were looking good, first practice went well although the times weren’t great but I had a good run in timed practice to qualify 11^th but there were about six of us within half a second of each other so it was looking good for the race. I made a good start and got through an extremely busy first corner to be inside the top ten but as we came onto the start/finish Ben Wylie had crashed and half a lap later the red flags came out, we weren’t sure what they were going to do but they eventually postponed the race and put the sidecars out first so I returned to the paddock and put the warmers back on. We had only been in 10-15 minutes or so when they called us up for the Open 1000cc race so I headed back up to the grid, after sitting a little bit they set us off on the warm up lap I came out of Mere hairpin and the front wheel came up so I just kept the power on and it dropped just before the bridge as I peeled right and went under the bridge the front tyre just let go and before I knew it I was off and sliding up the road, the bike hit the fence spun round then bounced back off and hit me, when I’d stopped sliding I jumped up and got off the track my leg was hurting a little but the bike looked pretty second hand and I knew that was it for the weekend there was going to be no easy fix to get out in the next race. They took me to the medical centre for a check but I was ok so we packed up and came home very disappointed as I’m sure I could have had a good weekend but it wasn’t meant to be.

My next race is back down at Scarborough for the Gold Cup in September so at least we’ve got a few weeks to get the bike sorted and it’s not as bad as I first thought so that’s a good start.

  I’d just like to say a big thankyou to Steve Abbott for all his help at the Southern 100 top boy and he’d make somebody a good wife also thanks again to Newcastle Motorcycles for all their help and all my other sponsors I couldn’t do it without you.

Cheers David.

JUNE 2011

Well 2011 finally got under way at an unusually sunny Croft back in April and while I was extremely rusty having not even had my leg over a bike since October I was looking forward to it, We still hadn’t sorted out what I was riding yet so we dug the old girl out of retirement and dusted her off for the first two meetings of the year. Practice went ok and then it was the timed session and that felt better although I wasn’t expecting anything spectacular but was pleasantly surprised to find I’d qualified 5^th behind four 125 GP bikes who’d come up for practice ahead of the BSB meeting. The first race was a good one and I made the perfect start, I got my head down and never looked back but with a couple of laps to go I could here a 125 behind me so I just tried to keep it nice and tidy and not make any mistakes, on the last lap he came past on the brakes into Tower and it was 14 year old Luke Hedger who went on to win the first round of the British 125’s at Brands Hatch, I got a good run out and got alongside on the exit of the Jim Clarke esses just enough for him to know I was there and he overcooked it into sunny running wide so I nipped back through and went on to take the win which I was over the moon with.

Accelerating hard out of the hairpin.

Race two was the race of the weekend I made a good start but didn’t get the holeshot that went to Tom Carne on another 125 but I managed to get past on lap two, I led for a couple of laps then was passed by another young 125 pilot called Harry Hartley I managed to re-pass him straight away as I had to try and hold them up in the corners and couldn’t afford to stay behind and follow, another lap went by and he came up the inside into the complex but I managed to outdrag him down the start/finish straight but again he tried into the complex and this time he made it stick only for me to pass him down the back straight this time, I didn’t dare look over my shoulder and thought there were only a couple of them as I could here them buzzing away behind, the last lap flag came out and I rode a good but defensive lap almost coming to a dead stop at the hairpin to stop them from getting a run to the line and I managed to hold on to take the win, as I crossed the line I looked over my shoulder to get the shock of my life and see four 125’s right behind with the top five covered by less than 1 second. Loads of people came to say what a great race it had been and to watch me leading those four little 125’s around was fantastic which was nice but it was even better to be involved in. I got a call on the Saturday night telling me that my bike was now sold as someone had put a deposit on it so I would have to be careful from now on, Ha Ha.

Leading Luke Hedger in race one, it was this close for most of the weekend.

Sunday was a bit cooler and race 3 was another good one, I made a great start and led for most of it but then Hedger came past and a lap later so did Hartley, this time I didn’t retaliate straight away but was right on their heels as we went onto the last lap, as we went round the long right hander at Hawthorn we came across two backmarkers and they squeezed through before the chicane and I lost out and had to back off which gave them a couple of seconds lead so I settled for third but I managed to set a new class lap record of 1min 30.8 seconds so I was happy. Race 4 was pretty much the same I made the early running but both Hartley and Hedger came past I then made a mistake going into Tower bend and ran wide at Sunny which allowed them to get away, I managed to keep the gap pretty much the same but couldn’t reel them in so I finished 3^rd again but in all it was an excellent start to the season and I was looking forward to Scarborough.

We turned up at Scarborough for the Ian Watson Spring Cup and after Croft was feeling really confident of getting some good results but for some reason I was really struggling in practice and I got held up on every lap in qualifying, I just felt out of sorts I don’t know why, the bike was spot on but I just couldn’t figure it out and that left me on the third row. My first race was the Superbike Qualifier and I made a good start and rode a good race to finish 11^th and grab the last spot on the grid for the Spring Cup. Next was the Supertwin 1^st leg and I made a good start slotting into 6^th then after a couple of laps I moved past Dan Frear to take 5^th, I missed a gear going up the hill which allowed Ian Lougher past so I hung onto him as best I could and that dragged me up onto the rear wheel of Adrian Archibald, he was riding very defensive and I was struggling to see a way past but I got a good run out of Farm bends and outbraked him round the outside into Mere Hairpin “a cool move if I don’t say so myself”, I managed to hold onto 4^th to the flag and I was happy with that after the way things had gone in the morning.

Leading Dan Frear out of Memorial.

I was straight back out for the Spring Cup 1^st leg but after nearly running into the back of somebody at the start and then almost being punted off the track twice on the first lap I decided enough was enough and pulled in to concentrate on the second Supertwin race. For this one the grid positions went on the 1^st race result so I moved up to the front row, I made a good start into 3^rd and held onto it for a couple of laps although the front two were pulling away, Lougher came past up the back straight on lap three and I hung onto him for as long as possible but he slowly edged away. I could here a bike behind and knew he was close as I couldn’t see him at the hairpins but I just kept my head down and didn’t make any mistakes to hang on to take another 4^th place, considering what a crap start to the day I had it all finished up really good and a fitting end to my time riding the ER6. I was a bit sad but all good things come to an end and it was time to move on to the next chapter with Newcastle Motorcycles ( the same people just a different name & manufacturer).

Rounding Mere Hairpin for the last time on the ER6.

As your reading this I’m currently building my new Honda CBR 600 RR I was hoping to race at East Fortune but too many parts just didn’t turn up in time so I had to knock it on the head, but it’s nearly ready and all I’m waiting for is the back shocker, it’s booked on the dyno then I’m off to Cadwell Park for a trackday to blow the cobwebs off before the Barry Sheene Classic at Scarborough although that’s still a week away. Things didn’t get off to the best of starts when I managed to crash it on some gravel when I was out running it in, I felt like a right donkey and couldn’t believe it had happened but shit happens and hopefully that will be the one and only. I’d like to say a big thankyou to all my sponsors for staying with me for 2011 especially Dave Winfield at Newcastle Motorcycles for providing me with another brand new bike and I like to welcome a new sponsor Steve & Jackie Abbott, Steve has helped out at various meetings over the last couple of seasons and just loves being involved so big thanks to them.

Well that’s it for now hopefully things will go good at Cadwell and I’ll be in good shape for Scarborough then we’re off to the Isle of Man for the Southern 100 the week after so fingers crossed. Cheers David.

APRIL 2011

Well the 2011 season is upon us and after what seems to have been the longest winter in history, we are finally getting ready to go racing again.   There's been a few changes during the off-season, the main one being that Kawasaki Newcastle are now Newcastle Motorcycles a Honda & Yamaha dealer.    Yes, the Kwaka's have gone, so it came as a bit of a shock to learn that I wouldn't be out on an ER6 this year.

We're still not sure what I will be riding, but it looks like either a CBR600 or an R6, but with time getting on and only a week till the first race at Croft, Dave Winfield has allowed me to reprieve the old girl from the retirement home and give her one last hurrah!.   Well two hurrah's actually as I'll be riding  last years ER at Croft and also the week after, at the Scarborough Spring National, we've then got a few weeks to sort out the new bike when it arrives.

This season is going to be difficult however, as my main sponsor other than Newcastle Motorcycles has been forced to cut back due to the economic climate, although he has pledged to assist whenever possible, I won't be getting anywhere the support I've had over the past few years, for which I'm very grateful.

This means that money is going to be very tight and we'll have to see how things go and hopefully secure some extra support to help out through the season.

All my other sponsors have stayed with me for 2011 and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them again for their continued support, couldn't do it without you !.

For this year my plans are pretty much a mirror image of 2010 with one exception, I will not be doing the Manx GP, but I'll be at all Scarborough meetings along with the NEMCRC rounds except Knockhill which clashes with the Cock 'o' the North and the Southern 100.

There are a couple of other meetings I have in mind should finances allow but those descisions will be made on availability of funds only.

That's pretty much it for now and I'll let you know how we get on at Croft next weekend (9th/10th) then Scarborough the following weekend (17th) so wish me luck.

If anyone is interested in helping out with Sponsorship, no matter how large or small and becoming part of the team, you can get in touch by e-mail at :-

davidbellracing@fsmail.net

or ring

07944613302

and I will be happy to speak with you.

Cheers, David

OCTOBER 10

Hello again, we’ve been back from the Manx GP a while now and what a fortnight it was the weather was fantastic and we all had a really good time. We got to the Isle of Man on the Saturday morning and got set up in a really good spot, I then had to go through the usual signing on, rider briefing and technical briefing before preparing for 1^st practice. I had the bike sorted and ready to go so there was nothing to do but wait, the weather was decent apart from fog on the mountain and I was a little apprehensive as we went up to the holding area as it was four years since I’d ridden here and I ended up in Nobles hospital with a broken wrist. The butterflies quickly disappeared as I set off down Glencrutchery road for the first time and I’d sort of forgotton what a great feeling it is to go flat out down Bray Hill, you just can’t get that anywhere else in the world.



                                                  Setting off from the line for practice ( Tony Goldsmith)

I had a couple of good steady laps to feel my way back into it, the fog was terrible from the Black Hut to Kates Cottage and it reminded me of my first lap as a newcomer when the conditions were very similar with visibility down to just a few yards at times but I made it round unscathed to finish off what had been a hectic day. Sunday was spent at Mooragh Park Ramsey after we went to watch my mate Dibble’s kids race there bmx’s then Spencer had a go once the racing had finished and did about eight laps off the belt I don’t know where he gets the energy from but he loved it then we went to the water park to let Spencer & Carter play and get soaked but it was a nice day so they dried off pretty quick. We were greeted with rain on Monday morning but it was forecast to clear later so we got the bike ready to go and went through scrutineering, our friends Martin & Michelle arrived with the kids today just in time for practice so Martin came up to help out with Dibble, the rain had stopped but the roads were still wet when the first session went out and as I was going up to the holding area my mate Mike Minns was coming down and said it was really wet in places and he was calling it a night but I decided to go out and if it was bad I would only do one lap. I set off with my mate Tom Llewellyn to show him round and help out if I could as he was a newcomer to the circuit, the conditions weren’t too bad although there were some damp patches and the section through Glen Helen was wet but the rest was ok so I went straight through for another lap, things were going well until coming out of Ballaugh I was catching a couple of bikes and was right on them on the run to Quarry Bends, I passed the first one then set myself up to follow the second a newcomer through Quarry bends then all of a sudden he braked heavily, I was left with nowhere to go and crashed into the back of him, I thought I was off but I somehow managed to save it and stay on but had a severe case of brown undercrackers. I carried on and went for the brakes into Sulby bridge only for the lever to come right back to the bars, I got it slowed down and had a quick look and noticed the brake lever adjuster had been knocked onto number 5 in the collision so I nursed it through to Ramsey and pulled over in Parliament Square to move it back onto number1. I set off again and had a steady ride back to the paddock to tell everyone about my ordeal. I saw the lad who I hit when I got back and went to apologise as it was my fault and I probably gave him a heart attack but I was just pleased we both stayed on and there was no real damage done, on closer inspection the following morning we found the right hand disc damaged so we changed the pair and apart from that we got off pretty lightly. Tuesday was a lovely day and conditions were perfect apart from low sun on the run out to Ballacraine, another helper arrived today, ex speedway rider Robin Archer came with his son for the first time and what a week they picked, everything went really well and this was the first proper session for me to have a good crack at it and see where we were, both laps felt pretty good and I got a bit of a surprise when we went for the times to see I was 3^rd fastest with a best of 107.4mph average speed which I was more than happy with, I’d also been up to my old tricks over Ballaugh Bridge and luckily someone got it on camera, it never feels as high as it looks but I love doing it.



                        I always like to keep my hand in at the MotoX stuff and there’s no better place than Ballaugh Bridge.

The weather was good again on Wednesday and this time I got out fairly early to try and avoid some of the traffic I’d encountered the previous nights, I had a trouble free run and managed to get three good laps in quite comfortably and also try out the pit lane speed limit for the first time which was a bit strange, anyway the bike was spot on again and I ended up 2^nd on the timesheets with a best of 108.8mph which was 15 seconds faster than the previous night so I was over the moon. Thursday was another perfect night and again I got three laps in to end up 4^th knocking a further 3 seconds off with a best of 109.0mph although a couple of the others had made a big jump to 112mph but they were running tuned motors and I was happy with how the little bike was going considering that it’s only putting out 78bhp, I also had a near miss with some local wild life, as I was coming down to Hillberry I had to take avoiding action as there were four ducks waddling down the road and I only just missed them. Friday was a bit of a funny night, I got out and things were going good until I came up behind a classic MV Agusta at Ramsey, I followed him up onto the Mountain and couldn’t do anything with him as it was fast in a straight line but I was catching him in the corners and getting very frustrated in the process especially as he looked like he was ready to hit the eject button at any moment, it came to a head as I went up the inside approaching the Bungalow and showed my front wheel but he wasn’t going to back off and I thought “if you want to ride like that get on with it but I’m not joining you” so I backed off and had a steady ride back to the pits, I pulled in and a had a breather to compose myself as I was a bit annoyed at what had gone on, I had a drink then went up to go back out for another lap only for them to hold me too long and the bike boiled over so we took it back down to let it cool down. We still had plenty of time so we left it till a couple of minutes to go then went up again and this time got out, I used this just to make sure the overheating hadn’t caused any problems and the bike was fine so that was practice week over for us as the weather was bad on Saturday and I decided not to go out as there was no point.



                           A perfect picture rounding The Creg, just look at that sky. It doesn’t get any better. (Tony Goldsmith)

We all went to Ramsey on Sunday to let the kids play on the BMX track then went on to Ginger Hall to grab a bite to eat and we bumped into Jamma with his mate on their head turning 1920’s BSA V Twins, It was a good laugh we even got some photo’s of me on the bike but it was just nice to get away and relax a bit.

It was race time on Monday and although I wasn’t out till Friday I had a practice session after the racing so we got through scrutineering then headed up to Creg Ny Baa to watch the Newcomers race, I was looking out for young Scott Campbell in the Newcomers B race and he was holding onto a safe 3^rd and looking pretty good until he got a bit excited and hit a slower bike crashing at Sarah’s cottage on the last lap and unfortunately for him ruling himself out for the rest of the week but that let in my other mate Welsh Tom to get a well deserved podium which he was over the moon with. After the race we headed back down to the paddock and watched a couple of laps of the Senior classic from the grandstand before getting ready to go out for a couple of practice laps which went pretty well and I was now ready to race. Unfortunately Wednesday’s Junior race was a tragic affair as two racers lost their lives in the same crash and when this happens it always make you think whether it’s worth it but you have to put these thoughts to the back of your mind and carry on. My one lap practice was put back to Thursday after the rescheduled Junior Classic so I went out just to scrub some new rubber in for the race, Kyle, Grahamy and the kids arrived while I was out on my lap and I came in to lots of abuse about why I hadn’t picked them up from the ferry as they’d had to walk up a mountain blah blah blah. Eventually I got a phone call to tell me I’d been moved up from No 94 to 34 so I was pleased about that as I’d been on to them all week and I could now relax and focus on the race. Thursday night was spent cleaning and checking the bike so it was ready for the race and an earlyish night was had.

  We woke on Friday morning to a bit mist and after putting the bike into the holding bay an hour delay was announced due to fog on the mountain but this was due to clear, Conditions were good as we lined up on Glencrutchery road and the tension was building, I was a little bit nervous but looking forward to getting started.



                           Dibble warming the bike up prior to the start with Susan trying not to show how worried she is.

The 250’s went first and then it was our turn, I made a good start and headed for Bray hill flat out, by the time I’d reached Braddan Bridge I was settled in and already closing on the two bikes that started 10 seconds ahead of me, I caught and passed them on the run to Ballagarey so things were looking good. I just tried to keep it smooth and flowing and the bike felt really good, as I was coming out of Bishopscourt a bike passed me, it was Phil Mcgurk and he was obviously leading, I kept him in sight until we got on the mountain then he just disappeared as his bike was much faster than mine, I came across a couple of 250’s but managed to get past without any hold ups and at the end of lap one I was lying 3^rd with an opening lap of 109.611mph. As I came out of Quarter Bridge on lap two I could see a bunch of riders in the distance so I got my head down and chased them, catching up little by little until I finally got onto the back of them over Ballacrye jump, I could see it was my mate Mike Minns, Ivan Lintin and Wayne Kirwan so I followed them through Quarry bends and got a good run out, as we got onto Sulby straight I pulled out of the slipstream of Mike but couldn’t get past so I pulled back in as he dropped in behind the others this gave me a massive treble draft and I managed to pass all three in one go, as I hit the brakes for Sulby Bridge I was giggling to myself as I thought I was going to have a nightmare getting past the trio, I carried on the rest of the lap and came in for my pit stop still in 3^rd but only 1 second down on another mate Rab Davie due to a lap of 110.8mph which was 14 seconds better than my first lap and a massive 20 seconds better than anything I’d done in practice and I still don’t know where I made the time up.



                                              Accelerating hard out of Braddan Bridge. (Tony Goldsmith)

Susan, Dibble and Martin did me proud with a faultless pitstop and I was soon on my way onto lap three, I had another good lap but as I was coming down the Mountain I could feel my fingers starting to tingle in my right hand, as I started lap four I’d dropped to 4^th but was still pushing on. As a result of the numbness in my hand I was having to let go and just hold on with my thumb on all of the long fast stretches to try and get a bit of feeling back in my fingers but it didn’t last long so I was having to do it more often, I had a right ding dong with Ivan Lintin on the last lap, I passed him as he came out of the pits and he passed me back going into Kirk Michael, I got by on the run through to Ballaugh then he came past going into Ramsey, I followed him up onto the Mountain and got him just before Guthrie’s and it stayed that way until he came up the inside into Governors Bridge and I crossed the line just behind him but ahead on time. I was pleased it was over as I don’t think my hand would have lasted much longer and as I came up the return road they pulled me over to one side as they were unsure of who was 3^rd but Joe Philips got it and I ended up 4^th but I was happy enough with that, as I pulled back into the parc ferme Susan was there to greet me along with Dibbs and Martin and I just said I couldn’t have ridden any harder and everybody was happy, I think Susan was just relieved I was back safe and in one piece.



                                                      Heading for the Mountain Mile. (Tony Goldsmith)

We walked back down to the caravan and I gave Spencer & Carter a big cuddle and kiss then I told everybody that this would be my last race on the TT course, my hand was aching and that 4^th lap was just a bridge too far so it was time to call it a day, I’d done what I set out to do which was better Keith Taylors lap record and all my race laps apart from my pit lap were faster than I’d gone in practice and I was over the moon with a race average speed of 108.6mph considering the fastest lap last year was that. So that was it Manx GP 2010 was over and all we were left to do was pack up and go home.

  I have to say a massive thankyou to Kawasaki Newcastle and Jamma for giving me a fantastic bike that never missed a beat during the whole fortnight, Dibble, Martin and Robin for all their help, Susan for putting up with me and for all her support, Alex & Reece the best fly cleaners in the business Kenny,Mike and Peter for the Fibreglassing and last but not least all my sponsors for making this possible I could not do it without your support and I very much appreciate it, Thanks.

  The only down side to the whole thing was we broke down on the way home at Tebay and had to be recovered by the AA but thanks to the Merlin boys they stopped and took my caravan home for me which saved a massive headache, well it wouldn’t have been right if nothing had gone wrong ha ha.

Cheers David.

Air Ambulance Charity ride

The Saturday after Knockhill, my brother in law Kyle Deswert and I, did the Coast to Coast cycle ride, the plan was to do it in a day and we set off from a very dark Whitehaven at 1:20 am and finished at Sunderland at 5:20 pm absolutely knackered, but over the moon to do it in 16 hours.

      We thought it would take longer, but we completed the course, assisted by Stephen Graham driving the back-up van, and raised a decent amount of money for the Great North Air Ambulance along the way.

When NEMCRC vice-chairman Mick Anderson heard about the ride he decided a contribution was necessary and went round Croft on club race weekend collecting with a bucket.

Mick collected over £200 toward the fund and I presented a cheque for £ 2050.00 to the Air Ambulance in August (see photo)

August 10

Hello again and after what seems like the busiest month of my life I’ve got plenty to tell you about, it all started back in early July when we went down to Scarborough for the Barry Sheene Classic, we set off early as we were only going down for the day and I treated my Dad, Trevor & Jeff to a high speed rollercoaster ride over the North Yorkshire moors, at one point Trev asked if I was using this as practice for the racing and all the time Spencer sat beside me cool as a cucumber like a proper co driver. We arrived at the circuit in plenty of time, got scrutineered then went for breakfast, it was soon time for practice and things went well as this was the first time I’d ridden the bike with the fairing on, it took a bit of getting used to as the bars were a bit lower than normal but I soon adapted.

The ER6 complete with ZX10 fairing.

I qualified on the front row and made a good start in the first 400cc/Minitwin race only to be beaten to mere hairpin by Ryan Farquhar on his ER6 missile, I held onto second for a

couple of laps then eventually gave way to Lee Vernon on his 250 but I couldn’t relax as there was a pack behind just dying to mug me, I rode a good strong race and just managed to hold onto 3^rd with a bike that felt dog slow on the last couple of laps. When I came in we had a look at the bike and thought that the head gasket had gone as it was blowing air bubbles into the overflow bottle so I decided not to go out in the 600 & over races as I didn’t want to cause any serious damage. We let the bike cool down then checked the water level and everything seemed ok so I decided to try it again in the second race, I made another good start into third and rode well holding onto the position for nearly the whole race but lost out to Ivan Lintin on the last lap to finish fourth, the bike didn’t seem to slow as much this time but there was definitely something up and I’d have to get it sorted quick as we were back at Scarborough the following weekend.



At the Esses during the Barry Sheene Meeting ( Lee Davies Photography)

I took the bike to sponsors Kawasaki Newcastle on the Monday and Jamma stripped the head off and sure enough the head gasket had gone, a couple of days later thanks to Jamma the bike was back together and ready to go again so off we went to the Cock ‘o’ the North, The Saturday was really warm and when you came off the track into the paddock it was like opening an oven door which made it very uncomfortable in leathers but it wasn’t too bad when riding. I qualified on row two but first up was the Superbike Heat race, I didn’t get a very good start but eventually got into a good rhythm and caught Dutchman Michael Hoffman who was visiting Olivers Mount for the first time, we had a real ding dong battle for a few laps, he would get away on the straights as he was on a CBR1000 and I would reel him in on the brakes and through the corners, we passed each other several times and I was having a hoot but eventually his horsepower advantage paid off and I finished 12^th missing out on the main race by one place. After a lengthy wait it was time for the Minitwin race, I made a decent start slotting into 5^th at Mere then I made a move round the outside of Ivan Lintin at the top of the hill which put me on the inside for the esses to move into 4^th, I stayed there for a couple of laps and couldn’t make a move on Pixie for 3^rd then I ‘ballsed’ it right up going into farm bends and had to go straight on losing a place putting me back to 5^th again, the following lap I made a couple more mistakes and was starting to get frustrated so I just calmed myself down, got my head down and within two laps I was right behind them again. Dean Harrison was at the front of the group and he was making a few mistakes, I couldn’t get close enough to make a move but two laps from home Dean’s bike packed up coming out of Mountside hairpin and got right in the way of Pixie allowing me to slip through and finish 3^rd. My last race of the day was the Superbike B Final, I started from Pole position and slotted into 3^rd briefly moving into 2^nd only to lose out up the back straight. I was having a right battle with a guy on an Aprilia and he was starting to get on my nerves a bit, he was really fast down the straights but slow in the corners and at one point I rode round the outside of him through the esses, I eventually got by going into Farm bends and made it stick which allowed me to push on and chase down Darryl Campling who by now with all the shenannigans that were going on earlier had a four second lead. I was trying really hard and could see I was catching and with three laps left I was right on his tail and lining him up for a pass but as we came down the hill the red flags came out as a bike had blown up on the back straight and dropped oil so I had to settle for 2^nd, I was happy enough with that although I think I could’ve won it had it not been stopped.



Cranked right over through the Esses, Cock o the North. ( Chris Machin www.oliversmount.com)

Sunday was quite a relaxed affair, I went out for practice then had a three & a half hour wait for my race so we had a walk up onto the top field for a change. It’s years since I’ve been up there probably not since I used to go with my dad to watch, we saw the first couple of laps of the Superbike race then had to go down to get sorted. The second leg of the Minitwins was my only race of the day and I made a good start into 3^rd, Ryan cleared off at the front but I was right behind Dean Harrison and pushing hard, his bike was quick so I was having to brake really late to make any ground up, on lap three I got a really good run through the esses and managed to stay with him up the straight and made a move up the inside on the exit of memorial. I didn’t quite make it and Dean turned in, it was a case of either hit him or put my head into the hedge so I decided on the latter except it went in a bit further than I was expecting along with my shoulder, luckily there wasn’t anything hard in there. One of the photographers has a cracking sequence of shots of the incident and when I get hold of them I’ll put them on here for everybody to see, you’ll giggle when you see them. Anyway I made a mistake at the next corner and went down one too many gears locking the back wheel up which made me run wide allowing Pixie and Ivan through, I was getting annoyed with myself and started making more mistakes as I was trying too hard to catch up so I just backed off and settled for 5^th only to be promoted to 4^th when Ivan slipped off at the esses with two laps to go. I wasn’t happy at all with how I’d ridden but we finished and I was already thinking about the Southern 100 so we packed up and headed home to drop Susan and the kids off. My mate Steve was coming up from Leicester to help out in the Isle of Man as Susan and Spencer weren’t coming over till Wednesday, we got packed up and headed for the ferry meeting the Minns boys on the way down so we could travel over together as Michael was racing too. After sailing over on the red eye we docked at Douglas then headed down to Castletown to get set up before going to the café for a spot on full English and boy did I need it. We had a few hours to kill before signing on so I went out on Steve’s bike to have a look at the track as I’d never seen it before and did a couple of laps to familiarise myself then had a couple of hours sleep, at 2pm we went to sign on then had a rider briefing and it was soon time for scrutineering. The bike went through no problem and we left it in the parc ferme. We were out first for our Newcomers laps behind the travelling marshal, the first one was steady away then we came over the start/ finish and he just did one and left us, so our second lap was a little quicker but I loved it, it’s been three and a half years since I rode on a proper road circuit and immediately I felt at home, there’s just something about riding on a closed roads course that you can’t get anywhere else and I’d forgotten how much I enjoyed it.

Me and Mike waiting to go out for practice complete with Chod bibs. ( photo Peter Minns)

Luckily the weather was decent and we had a good run in the first session although I did have one moment when I braked too late and took to the escape road at Ballabeg Hairpin, We both came in with beaming smiles and couldn’t wait to get back out. The second session was much better and without anymore slip ups I knocked four seconds off my previous lap time to Qualify 5^th and fastest newcomer so I was over the moon with that especially as the forecast was poor for Tuesday. We retired to the pub after practice and had a few well earned pints to top off a cracking day. The weather on Tuesday was OK but rain was expected later, we spent the day cleaning and checking the bikes over and soon enough it was time for scrutineering again, no sooner had we got the bikes through and on the stands when it started to rain and never stopped so I decided not to go out as it wasn’t really worth it, I wasn’t going to learn anything in the wet and the times from the previous night would stand so we went over and watched the first race later on.

     Wednesday was Race day and I was really looking forward to it, Susan and Spencer arrived and I was pleased to see them although they hadn’t brought any good weather with them, it was a bit iffy and it kept raining but it was windy and warm so the track was drying really quickly, We got scrutineered then it was just the agonising wait as we were out first, we got ready and about 45 minutes before we were due to go it started to rain so the track was now wet, it didn’t rain for long and it was drying quick. We now had the headache of which tyres to put on but I went with full wets just to be on the safe side, after a short delay and a quick interview on Manx radio from Chris Kinley we went on the sighting lap, there were large parts of the track drying very quickly but all of the tricky bits and under the trees were still wet so I’d made the right decision. The race had been reduced to 6 laps and I made a good start slotting into 5^th just taking my time and not wanting to make any mistakes, I grew in confidence as the laps went by as those conditions aren’t my favourite and without any scares went on to finish 5^th and best circuit newcomer, when I came in I was quite pleased it was over as it’s mentally draining in those conditions, you can’t afford to make any mistakes but I was pleased with the result and the tyres held up pretty well too.

Braking into Cross Four Ways during Thursday afternoons race.

Thursday however started off pretty crap but got better and by the time racing was due to start the roads were totally dry, I made another good start and slotted into 5^th again only this time I hung onto the two bikes in front for a couple of laps, they eventually pulled away and I had quite a lonely race but thoroughly enjoyed it and learned more about the circuit trying different lines and trying to perfect a couple of corners I’d struggled on in practice, I must have been doing something right as I knocked a further 4 seconds off my previous best lap time in the race en route to another 5^th place finish and best circuit newcomer with Michael finishing 6th . Well it was all over and I’d had a tremendous time, it’s by far the best organized race meeting I’ve been to and you couldn’t ask for a friendlier more helpful bunch of people.

All that was left to do was pack up and go to the presentation night in the town centre, it was a good night and it was nice to catch up with a few people I haven’t seen for a while, later it started to rain really heavy and we decided to head back to the paddock as Spencer was really tired, luckily we bumped into our old friend Jacquie Dawson and she kindly offered to take us back so it saved us getting a soaking, thanks Jacquie.

Post race smiles after Thursdays race.

We got up on Friday and headed for the boat home after what had been a cracking week and everybody had enjoyed it, especially Steve who I’d like to thank for his help throughout the week.

     One week later and we were down at Croft for the third round of the NEMCRC Championship, qualifying went well with a front row start so things were looking good, I made a perfect start to the first race and got my head down opening up a 5 second lead then on lap 5 I had a slide coming out of the hairpin then another going onto the back straight and suddenly the bike felt like it was all over the place like riding on marbles, I took a glance at the rear wheel and the tyre looked flat so I made it back round to the pitlane and pulled in to check it out but on inspection it looked fine, I checked the pressure and it was fine so I went back out to try it again but only got one lap before the chequered flag came out. I returned to the garage and had a better look but couldn’t see anything wrong which I was a bit concerned about but tried to put it to the back of my mind and concentrate on race 2. I made another perfect start and led into turn one then Pixie came past into the Esses but I got a better run through and re-passed him on the exit using my favourite line on the concrete which is actually off the track, I led for another lap then he got by into the complex, I followed him for a bit then outbraked him into Tower only for him to pass me back into the esses again, a lap later I pulled the same move round the outside again on the concrete but he got me back into the complex and this time made it stick, the bike didn’t feel as bad as race 1 but was vibrating like mad going up the back straight and I wasn’t completely happy with it, I hung on to 2^nd and kept Pixie on his toe’s only to be passed by a flying 125 on the last lap but I’d enjoyed the race, the close dicing with Pixie was real good and I bet it was good to watch from a spectating point of view.

Using all the track & more exiting the Esses.   ( Photo Geof Symons)

We had another look at the rear wheel and checked the balance of it only to find it was way out so we spun the tyre and re-balanced it ready for Sunday hoping it would be ok.

      Sunday was another good day and Susan came down after her ‘Ladies day’ at the races and brought me some good luck. I made another good start in race 1 and led for the first four laps only for it to be red flagged, the restart was pretty much the same and as we came onto the start/ finish straight on lap four I looked over my shoulder and saw Mike right behind so I flashed him the V’s then as I turned back round I missed a gear and he got past ( DONKEY) then luckily for me half a lap later it was red flagged again so the result went back one lap and made me the winner, like I said Susan must have brought me some luck.

The usual suspects! L to R- Pixie, Me, Mike and Peter in his last race with a Novice Jacket.

Mike, Peter and I went out in the Ken Redfern trophy race just for a laugh but I used it to try and get a bit confidence back and it did work although it took over half the race before I started feeling comfortable again. It put me in a good frame of mind for the last race and it was a cracker, I made it four holeshots from four races and led for lap one then Mike passed me down the start/finish straight on lap two but I managed to get him back on the concrete again, this time I held onto the lead until three laps from the end when two 125’s got past then another tried but I managed to pass him back immediately, he tried again at Hawthorn and made it but I outdragged him to Tower then he tried again going into sunny and ran wide allowing me to nip back underneath and that was how it stayed to the flag, another exciting race and a good finish to the weekend.

Leading on lap one from Mike & Pixie with Peter lurking in the background.

Only two weeks to go now until the Manx GP kicks off and I’m really looking forward to it, I can’t wait to get back on the TT course and hopefully I’ll have a good fortnight, fingers crossed.

            Just a little thankyou before I go to Bill and Jackie Peacock for the money to use at the Manx, I very much appreciate it and it will be a great help.

Wish me luck.

.

Cheers David.



June 10

Hello again, as usual I’m miles behind with doing my write up but you’re probably used to it by now, way back in May we went to East Fortune for the NEMCRC championship Round One and unlike previous years I’ve decided to concentrate solely on the MiniTwins/ Ultra Lightweight championship this year purely to save money as I’m going to need it when we go to the Southern 100 & Manx GP later in the year. The weather was good and we got off to a flying start qualifying on pole position, Race one started well and I slotted into 3^rd on lap one behind my fast starting mate Peter Minns and Pixie, I moved into 2^nd at Railway corner on lap one then got a better run onto the back straight passing Peter for the lead only to be demoted to 2^nd again when Pixie picked up a double draft and passed us both, I made a move for the lead again at Railway and never looked back pulling away to win by 3.5 seconds.



Pushing hard exiting the snake, I could read the tyre sizes I was that close. (CDH Photography)

Race 2 was a much easier affair with a start to finish win so day one had gone well. I got up on Sunday morning to the sound of rain and it was an early start as we had three races, I put the wets in with the help of little Carter and quickly got ready, I made a good start and slotted into fifth taking my time to get used to the conditions, I grew in confidence as the race went on and slowly picked my way through to finish 3^rd overall but 2^nd in class and I was happy with that.



My new mechanic Carter learning to change wheels at an early age.

By race 2 it was dry again and I made another good start moving into the lead on lap two and holding on to take the win by a mere 1.6 seconds. The final race of the weekend was a good one as I made an average start and had to fight my way through, by lap two I was up to 3^rd and chasing down Pixie, I slipped up the inside of him at Railway then got on with catching Rab Davie who had a lead of about 1.5 seconds. I slowly chipped away and was right behind by lap six, I followed him for a lap then made my move into the hairpin and got my head down opening up a gap of two seconds at the flag. I enjoyed the race and another good weekend was had by all especially Spencer who rode around all weekend on his bike with his new friend Joseph, I think he did more miles than me on that bike.



Spencer & Joseph on Kenny Minns Sidecar.

      Three weeks later I was up at Knockhill for round 2 and after a late arrival the weekend got off to a bad start when the generator wouldn’t work, after frantically trying to sort it on Saturday morning Toot kindly loaned me his for the weekend which pulled me right out of the clag. Practice went ok but I cocked up big style in qualifying, I thought I had enough fuel in but quickly found out I hadn’t and just as I got some clear track the bike started to cough and splutter so I had to pull in, yes you heard it here first, contrary to popular belief I do make mistakes, not many, but every now & then I drop a ‘bollock’ big style. Anyway this cost me big time as I had to start from the 6^th row all weekend, Race 1 was a bit hectic as I made a decent start but the first couple of corners at Knockhill are a bit dodgy in a pack but I made it through safely, I slowly picked my way through to eventually take the win in the Minitwins which was a bit of a surprise considering where I started. Race 2 was every bit as hard if not harder as it took me longer to break through and get into a rhythm but I got there and just missed out, finishing 2^nd by 0.3 seconds.

Going into Scotsman ( Dan Jess)

      Sunday was a different day all together, the weather was a lot cooler and rain was forecast but it was dry for Race 1. I made a good start and was inside the top ten on lap one making my way through a lot better, I caught young Ross from Kawasaki Newcastle on the penultimate lap and was lining him up for a pass at the bottom of Duffus dip but the yellow flags were out so I sat behind and made my move a lap later holding on to take the Minitwin win. Race 2 was a harder race as it seemed to take ages to get going, I made a move down the inside of a group of three riders into the hairpin but backed out as I didn’t think I would make it but not quite enough as I clipped the back wheel of Max Knights but saved it and carried on eventually finishing 2^nd again by a mere 0.3 seconds.

Recovering from clipping Max Knights ( Dan Jess)

The rain came around lunchtime and made the track pretty slippy, my last race was the Michael Moore trophy and after making a good start in 3^rd and quickly moved into 2^nd, I was pushing as hard as I felt comfortable, but was making no inroads into Toot’s lead, after 6 laps I settled for a safe second and that was it, another weekend over and I left with a healthy lead in the championship.

      The Saturday after myself and my brother in law Kyle did the Coast to Coast cycle ride, the plan was to do it in a day and we set off from Whitehaven at 1:20 am and finished at Sunderland at 5:20 pm absolutely knackered but we were over the moon to do it in 16 hours, I thought it was going to take longer but we did it and we’ve raised a decent amount of money for the Great North Air Ambulance along the way.

    Next month is mega busy for me starting on the 4^th of July for the Barry Sheene Classic at Scarborough then I’m back at Oliver’s Mount the following weekend for the Cock o the North, I then go overnight to the Isle of Man for the Southern 100 from Monday- Friday then a week later I’m at Croft for the NEMCRC Round 3 so it’s going to be hectic but I’m really looking forward to it. We’ve also been fitting a fairing in readiness for the Southern 100 & Manx GP so hopefully we’ll have it ready to try next weekend at Scarborough, It looks pretty cool and I have to say a massive thankyou to my mate Steven Graham of SG Fabrication for making all the mounting brackets he did a cracking job.



The ER6 with a ZX10 fairing fitted.

I’ll try to keep you updated as much as possible with what happens.

Cheers Dave.

May 10

             Hi again and before anybody thinks it, I know it’s been ages since I put anything on the site, Susan has already reminded me! So here we are again, the start of the 2010 season, it’s been a long winter looking forward to getting back on a bike, almost needing a refresher course it’s been so long. Anyway we’re back again with another brand new ER6 courtesy of Dave Winfield at Kawasaki Newcastle, which without his generosity and many other of my sponsors it just would not be possible.

           I have one new sponsor to add this season, a good friend of ours Stephen Graham of SG Fabrication has kindly offered his support, Dave Jackson from Moto Direct has once again sorted us out with top quality kit for 2010 with RST Leathers, Boots and Gloves and KBC Helmets along with Motul Oil once again. So a massive thank you must go to him along with all my other sponsors, SPAstley, Cornerspeed Ltd, Merlin Sidecars, Olde Worlde Fireplaces, Bespoke Signs, SMP, Trevor Hedley & last but not least Brian Hall.

     This season I will once again be doing the North East Championship plus all four meeting’s at Olivers Mount, Scarborough, I have also entered the Southern 100 in the Isle of Man, plus I will be returning to the TT course after a 4 year lay off for the Manx GP in August for the Ultra Lightweight race and I’m really looking forward to that as it’s my favourite track and it’ll be a pleasure riding the ER6 there so it’s going to be a busy year ahead but hopefully a good one.



                        Looking all 'bling bling' in my new kit before practice.(Photo courtesy of Chris Machin.)

    I got the bike back in March and I’ve been working hard preparing it for the new season, it’s pretty much the same as last year’s bike so it was just like putting an old pair of slippers on when we went to Scarborough for the Ian Watson Spring National in April. The God’s were kind and it was a lovely day although it did get really cold toward the end, practice went well and I got myself back into the swing of things before qualifying. I set off at the back and deliberately hung back so I could get a couple of good clear laps in, my first flying lap was ok but then I nearly ‘highsided’ coming out of Mere hairpin on my second lap, as I rode away my left footrest felt funny so I looked down and it was bent down at 45 degrees due to me landing on it so I had to pull in but my one lap was good enough for 4^th fastest so I wasn’t too disappointed.
             First race of the day was the Superbike Qualifier and I made a good start going down the outside into Mere passing quite a few although it is a bit dodgy, I lost a couple of places up the back straight to bigger bikes but managed to keep the rest behind me to finish 12^th, unfortunately that wasn’t good enough to make it into the final, but I’m still not sure how they work it out. Anyway enough of me moaning and onto the first Supertwins race. I didn’t get a good start and was in 4^th coming out of the first corner, I quickly moved into 3^rd at the end of the back straight then set my sights on Pixie and Ryan Farquhar who had already pulled a 2-3 second gap, I could see Ryan edging away at the front but I got my head down and started to reel Pixie in. Lap by lap I closed in and by the end of lap four I was on his back wheel, every time I got near him he jumped away out of the slow corners and I was having to push really hard to get in a position to make a pass,



                                                                  Chasing Pixie over the Jumps,

                                                   it was this close for most of the race. (CDH Photography)

I could get level on the brakes but Pixie was riding well and defending his lines forcing me to go to the outside, as we went onto the last lap I had a couple of places in my mind where I could have a good go at making a pass but as we got to the top of Quarry Hill we came across a backmarker, as we went through the ‘Esses’ Pixie had a look up the inside going into the left hander but backed out at the last minute which gave me my opportunity and I grabbed it with both hands riding round the outside of them both.

I have to admit that I was giggling to myself going up the back straight as I new Pixie would be spitting at letting me past so easily, I kept my head and rode the rest of the lap with no drama to take 2^nd. After the race we shook hands and had a good bit crack about what had gone on, it was a cracking race but a hard which I enjoyed every minute of.

            After a bit of a break I went out to the line for the second Supertwins race lining up in the order of the last race so I moved up onto the front row, I made a better start but couldn’t live with the grunt of Ryan & Pixies tuned engines on the run to Mere. I slotted into 3^rd but didn’t let them get away this time, Ryan was pulling away and I got a good run out of Mountside on lap two and was right on Pixie’s back wheel over the jumps slotting up the inside on the approach to farm bends moving into 2^nd, I put in four good laps and pulled a gap and at one point was catching Farquhar but I was never going to get onto his back wheel so I backed off a little and had some fun on the last two laps pulling wheelies and backing it in to the hairpins, another 2^nd but an easier race this time and I was happy with how things had gone.



                                                  Backing it into Mountside Hairpin was a hoot (Russel Hunter)
The last race of the day was the Superbike B final and I had a fourth row grid position, I made a decent start and the first couple of laps were a bit hectic but I made it through the melee and had a good race finishing 3^rd so it was a good end to the meeting and I was more than happy.
     Next up for me is rounds 1 & 2 of the North East Championship up at East Fortune on the 15^th &16^th of May so hopefully we’ll have a good one up there and I’ll keep you informed on how things go soon.

Cheers Dave.

October 09

Well here we are again and as usual I’m late doing my write up, but here goes, Oliver’s Mount Gold Cup was one of the best meetings I’ve ridden at, with a top quality entry and massive 52,000 crowd over the weekend, it was an awesome feeling racing in front of so many people.

The weather was also kind which made for some good racing, my first race was the Superbike qualifier and I made good start and had a steady race to finish 12^th just missing out on a place in the final.

I was straight back out for the 400/Minitwin race and after qualifying on the front row I made a good start slotting into third behind Dan Frear and Ryan Farquhar, I managed to match their tremendous pace for three laps, they were much faster than me on the straights and up Sheene’s rise but I held on by braking later and riding harder through the corners. Then on lap four I braked too late and ran wide at Mountside hairpin allowing them to pull away and I couldn’t make it up so I settled for a safe 3^rd but I wasn’t disappointed as I’d knocked 1.8 seconds off my previous best lap time.

After a short break I went out for the David Jefferies Cup 600 qualifier where I finished 9^th making it into the final. The last race of the day was the 600 final and I made a good start and went down the outside at Mere hairpin riding round the outside I made up about seven places, a couple came past on the back straight then I hung on for three laps with a freight train behind me but they couldn’t get past. The red flags came out on lap four after a nasty crash at the café and they called it a race so I finished 13^th.

Post race conversation with friend Mike Minns after red flag.

Sunday morning was warm and after a couple of laps of practice the racing was delayed due to the amount of people still queuing to get into the circuit, first up was the non qualifiers race for the Superbikes. I made a good getaway then nipped up the inside of Paul Owen when he made a mistake at Mere hairpin he came back past on the back straight and I settled into a comfortable 3^rd, that became 2^nd when the leader Richard Gibson retired and that was how it stayed to the chequered flag so I was pleased with how things started.

Next was the 400/Minitwin 2^nd leg and I made a decent start slotting into 3^rd behind Farquhar, Dan Frear pulled a gap straight away which left me and Ryan to battle it out for second, for two laps I was right on his back wheel and he kept looking over his shoulder to see if I was still there.

Leading Craig Shirlaw past the Café during the 600 Jefferies Cup.

On lap three coming out of Memorial he did it again then waved me through, I moved into 2^nd and Ryan pulled out at the end of the lap, he later told me he was struggling with a broken bone in his hand from a crash at the Manx GP, I kept on pushing and held a three second advantage over Alex Hutchinson which I maintained to the finish.

My last race of the weekend the 600cc Jefferies Cup 2^nd leg wasn’t a great one, I made a decent start but after about half race distance my hand started to play up so I backed off and dropped down the order finishing a disappointing 16^th but it was a good weekend in all.

Five days later myself, Susan, Spencer & Carter along with Grandma & Grandad went to Italy for a weeks holiday and had a lovely relaxing time as well as taking in the World Superbike round at Imola which was really good.

Relaxing in the pool, Hillside Villa, Tuscany

The following weekend was the last race of the season and final round of the North East Championship at East Fortune, the weather was kind yet again and all racing was held in dry conditions. My first race was the Minitwins and I was off the line like a scalded cat lying third into turn one, I moved into 2^nd down the back straight then outbraked Ross Jackman from Kawasaki Newcastle into Railway corner to take the lead a lead which I held to the finish. That win also gave me the Minitwin Championship for 2009 so I was pretty pleased.

Leading 'Pixie' Pattinson to win the MiniTwin Championship

I didn’t have time for celebration though as I was back out in the Thunderbikes and lying 2^nd in the championship 18 points down on my mate Pixie, but luck wasn’t on his side as the ignition on his Kawasaki ZX7 packed up during the qualifying session and the old girl just wouldn’t fire up so he was resigned to riding his ER6 in the races. I made a cracking start and was leading although I lost a couple of places on the straight but I regained them on the brakes at railway, it was nip and tuck for most of the race with Colin MacDougall on an Aprilia RSV 1000cc then on the penultimate lap he got past and I just couldn’t get close enough to make a move and finished a very close 2^nd.

Leading Colin MacDougall on the big Aprilia in the Thunderbike Class

The second Minitwin race was a bit more interesting as Andy Lawson and I had a good battle for the first few laps until he ran out of fuel allowing me to take an easy win. The second Thunderbike race was made a little bit more interesting when Pixie, Mike and Peter Minns and myself were all late to the holding bay and had to start from the back row of the grid, I made a good start and was lying 8^th into turn one then I picked them off one by one, by lap three I was 2^nd and pulling away from Paul Noble in 3^rd but the leader had gone so I took a comfortable 2^nd.    It was Kenny Minns 65^th birthday on the Sunday and we all went up to see him presented with a cake kindly made by Sharon Taylor, later Kenny and Passenger Mark crashed into the tyre wall at the final chicane which I’m sure was a present he didn’t want but both were OK.

Kenny with his cake and Spencer wondering when he’s going to get a slice!

My first race on Sunday was the Minitwins and I made a good start into 2^nd behind young Andy Lawson, we had a good scrap for three laps swapping the lead several times until he overcooked it into railway and ended up in the field leaving me to cruise to the win. The Thunderbikes were next and with this championship still very much in the balance I made a good start and was lying second pushing hard to stay with the Aprilia of Colin MacDougall, four laps in I lost the front and the rear on the bumps of the esses then it happened again on the next lap so I backed off a bit and changed my line and found a much better one that was smoother, this however allowed him to pull away and I finished a comfortable 2^nd.



                                                     'Backing it in' to Railway Corner, East Fotune, October

The final Minitwin race was a cracker but only through my own doing, I made another good start and was second right behind Andy Lawson, I pulled out of his slipstream and passed quite easily and braked on my normal marker but she just didn’t want to stop and I ran wide almost onto the grass just managing to keep it on the black stuff. Rejoining down in 10^th I got my head down as I could see Andy disappearing at the front, by lap three I was back up to second and pushing real hard to make the time up then I did the same thing again only not as bad this time, I was now really mad with myself as Andy now had a massive lead of about 5 seconds which was going to be hard to get back. I put in some real good consistent laps right on lap record pace and started to gain, on lap six he looked over his shoulder coming out of the hairpin and could see me catching then he made a mistake and ran deep at the chicane and that’s when I new I had him. From that moment I reeled him in making the pass and pulling away to take the win by 1.7 seconds. I was delighted as it was probably one of the hardest but most enjoyable races of the season and I really had to ride hard to win it. Next was the Interclub Charity race and I started from row 6, we were in with 1000’s & 600’s and I had a great scrap with Wayne Humble and Daniel Chappel for 3 or 4 laps until Wayne’s brake hose burst and he ran onto the grass and crashed out but I kept my head down and eventually finished 11^th overall smashing the Minitwin lap record in the process with a lap of 1min 3.3 seconds, the charity trophy went to the Melville club who kindly donated the money to Rob Brown’s family to help with their travel costs visiting him in Edinburgh Hospital as he’d had a nasty crash the previous day.

Chasing my mate Peter Minns on his SV 1000.

After a short break we went up for the final Thunderbike race and I made another good start into second behind MacDougall but this time I was determined not to let him get away even though I could hear Susan saying let him go you don’t need to race with him but I’m a racer at heart and I just wanted to win, anyway I shadowed him for a couple of laps right on his back wheel then he nearly highsided coming out of the hairpin and I said thankyou very much and nipped up the inside to take the lead, I put in some good consistent laps and on lap six I looked over my shoulder and he was about 10 bike lengths behind so I was happy with that, on lap eight I caught a backmarker at the first corner and I had him set up to go round the outside when the marshals pulled out the blue flag, he saw it sat bolt upright and looked over his shoulder to see where I was and got right in my way, not his fault but I was nearly off the track to get round him. This dropped me back into 2^nd momentarily but I managed to outbrake the big Aprilia into railway, he came past again on the back straight but again I held him off with some demon late braking then as I tipped into the final chicane I put the power on and the back tyre let go with no warning and I was on my butt before I could say ouch. Luckily I was under the bike for most of it so the damage was minimal and I’m still not sure what happened, maybe the tyre had just cried enough as I did the same as every other lap but this time I ended up on my ear. Anyway that was that and I had the walk of shame through the paddock especially as I new I would get the ‘I told you so’ from Susan when I got back to the caravan but she was forgiving, I should have listened to Spencer who’d been giving me pep talks before every race telling me not to fall off like Pixie did at Knockhill. I was more disappointed that I hadn’t crashed all year and I did it in the last race of the season. On the upside though I’d done enough in the other three races over the weekend to win the Thunderbike Championship by 12 points and I was over the moon as I’d finished 3^rd then 2^nd in 07 and 08 and I finally won it, I was a little bit disappointed for Pixie as he’d led it all year to lose out at the final round is tough but as they say “that’s racing” and you have to be in it to win it. So that’s it for another year and it’s been a good’n, North East Minitwin Champion, North East Thunderbike Champion, Michael Moore Trophy winner, Lap record holder at East Fortune plus wins and top three finishes at all the Scarborough meetings. The ER6 has done us proud again and what a fantastic little bike it is.

All I have to do now is say a massive thankyou to everybody who has helped out however big or small this year as it’s been a hard year financially but we made it.

THANKYOU

Kawasaki Newcastle, S.P Astley, Cornerspeed Ltd, Merlin Coachworks, SMP, Bespoke Signs, Trevor Hedley & Brian Hall.

I’m already looking forward to next season and hopefully it will be every bit as good as 2009, Kawasaki Newcastle will again be supplying a new ER6 and I’m always on the lookout for new sponsors so if anybody would like to be involved or help out financially in any way please don’t hesitate to get in touch as all sponsorship is very much appreciated and I couldn’t do it without that help. You can get in touch with me via Email at davidbellracing@fsmail.net or give me a ring on 07944613302.

All sponsorship gets logo on the bike, van & website.

Cheers, see you next year.

David.

August 09

Hello again, a little bit late I know but I am getting better, slightly! Anyway we were back at Olivers Mount for the Cock 'o' the North on July 11-12^th and it was an excellent meeting, practice went well and I rolled up onto the grid for the Superbike qualifier only to find they didn’t have me on their sheets Pixie was in the same boat, after a short discussion we both had to start from the back which wasn’t ideal in a four lap race. I made a good start and made up a few places into Mere hairpin, I picked up a few more positions over the next couple of laps to finish 7^th and qualify for the main races so I was happy. The Superbike first leg was up next and I made an excellent start slipping down the outside I made up a load of places on lap one, a few came past over the next couple of laps and the rest of the race was pretty lonely finishing 15^th. Without a break and a quick refuelling stop I headed out for the Minitwin race, I made a good start leading into Mere, I put in some quick laps and built up a good lead by half race distance. On the last few laps I eased off and pulled some wheelies but won quite comfortably. We retired down to Scarborough for fish & chips and another slot machine fest with Spencer to tire him out, this is after he’d already done god knows how many laps of the paddock on his bike, anyway it worked and he went straight to bed when we got back.

     Sunday was again another warm day and I went out for a couple of laps practice to get my eye in, first race was the Superbike second leg and I made a cracking start passing loads down the outside into Mere, at one point there was a bit of a freight train behind me including Ian Lougher who was having a bad weekend, it took them a couple of laps to get past then once they did I had another pretty lonely race to 16^th.

Chasing Ian Lougher with the pack hot on my heels, Superbike, Cock 'o' the North (CDH Photography)

My last race of the weekend was the Minitwin second leg and I went out with the sole intention of breaking my lap record, I made a good start and slotted into 2^nd and followed Pixie for a lap and a bit then made a move up the inside into Mountside. I then got my head down and tried real hard pulling out a good lead and on lap five I got my wish and set a new lap record. With three laps to go I eased off again and

On my way to a new lap record, scratching at the Esses (CDH Photography)

entertained the crowd backing it in to Mere hairpin then wheelying up Sheene’s Rise, on the last lap I got a great reception from the crowd with everybody waving and it was just nice to ride round waving back eventually taking the win by some 21 seconds to round off another good weekend and the Kawasaki Newcastle ER6 was perfect yet again.

A couple of weeks ago we were up at Knockhill for the third round of the North East championship, I was a bit wary of how things would go as it’s been six years since I was last up there but I quickly got the hang of it again as soon as it dried up.

Qualifying was wet and I could only manage 11^th which put me on the third row, I wasn’t best pleased but would have to make the best of a bad job, in total contrast the Thunderbike qualifying session was nearly dry and I put it on the front row so we were going in the right direction. We were first out and I made an alright start but was a bit too cautious into Duffus dip on lap one and was in 7^th or 8^th, I made up a position into the hairpin then passed Toot and Pixie in one go a lap later, on the exit I turned round and flicked the V’s at Pixie only for both of them to pass me back on the straight. I made the same move the next lap and made it stick this time, I got my head down and caught the group ahead passing them one by one into the hairpin eventually moving into 2^nd but the leader was too far ahead so that was how it finished but I was very happy with that. The Thunderbike race got off to a good start and I led for the first lap, Pixie came past on the back wheel of his ZX7 over the start/finish and I tucked in behind him passing him into the hairpin on lap two only to be blown away up the straight, I rode my heart out to stay with him and got onto his back wheel at the hairpin then he had a massive highside coming out and I had to take to the grass to avoid hitting him and the bike. The race was red flagged and I was pleased to see him on his feet when we got back round and he gave me the thumbs up so he was ok., the restart was much less dramatic and I took the win easily which closed the championship right up with only 3 points in it.

'Pixie' having a lie down, me taking avoiding action, he's getting old ya know! (Geof Symonds)

The second Minitwin race started pretty much the same as the first, I was in 7^th and moved up a couple of places on lap one then as I came through Carlube corner Daniel Chappell had gone off the track and through the puddles splashing water onto the curb, I went over the curb and the bike just locked up and slid sideways I’m still not sure how I stayed on as the bike was at 90 degrees and I’ll never come as close to crashing again but I stayed on and gathered myself quickly as I’d lost two places. I slowly moved my way through again staying well away from that curb and eventually finished 3^rd . The Thunderbike race was going really well as I was leading after two laps then I went for sixth gear and it wouldn’t select, I looked down and the rod had snapped, I thought about pulling in as I was stuck in fifth gear but I made it out of the hairpin so I just kept going, ten laps in 5^thgear was hard work but I still managed to finish 6^th which is pretty good considering.

            After heavy overnight rain the track was dry come the first race, I started from the inside of row three this time and got a good jump as I approached the first turn I decided that if I didn’t make a move I would struggle to get through again so I went for it and jammed it up the inside of Scott Campbell and three others to move into 4^th, I moved into 3^rd at the hairpin and was in touch with the leaders for the first time all weekend. On lap four I moved into 2^nd at the hairpin then a couple of laps later I took the lead as Andy Lawson ran a bit wide and I nipped up the inside, he briefly came past on the start/finish straight but I outbraked him into Duffus dip and managed to pull away as Andy and Dan Chappell were scrapping behind, 12 laps seemed like 112 but eventually the chequered flag came out and I had won which was a massive relief and as I came round on the slowing down lap the Dave Bell massive (Susan, Spencer, Sue Symons and her Grandaughter Hannah) were cheering like mad at the exit of the hairpin so I gave Spencer a wave. Next was the Thunderbike and I started second but quickly moved into the lead at corner 3, I led for three laps then Pixie came by and I managed to stay with him for a few laps but eventually had to give best and settle for second. The next race was one of the best I’ve had for a long time,I made another good start and made the same move again at turn one pushing a few people wide but I made it through and into 4^th, I quickly moved into 3^rd then 2^nd a lap later. I took the lead at turn 3 with a move up the inside to pass Dan Chappell, he came back past on the run to the hairpin but I managed to brake later and hold onto the lead, again he passed me on the start/finish straight but I was later on the brakes and held him off, again he got ahead on the run to the hairpin but I was better on the brakes and the same happened going into the first corner but I managed to brake later and stay infront. This went on for the next few laps and it must have been great to watch for the spectators, eventually I had to give way and I just sat behind him and was waiting for the last lap to try and make a pass but on the penultimate lap I made a mistake at the chicane and had a massive tank slapper, this was enough to give him a few bike lengths lead and try as I might I just couldn’t make it up and he went on to win but I wasn’t disappointed as it had been a cracking race and he rode really well. I didn’t have much time as I was back out for the last race of the weekend, I made a good start in second and took the lead at turn 3, I got my head down and pulled a lead but after a couple of laps I could see Pixie catching, on lap five the race was stopped due to an accident just as Pixie came past so we had a restart over 6 laps. I made another cracking start and put in some real good laps pulling out a lead to comfortably take the win. Another good weekend was over and even the weather was OK for Knockhill, at least it didn’t snow so I’m now looking forward to the Gold Cup at Scarborough although that isn’t for a few weeks.

      The day after Knockhill was a very sad day however, as we went to our friend Lewis Scott’s funeral after he sadly lost his battle with cancer at the age of 12, the turnout was tremendous and after a lovely service we gave the lad the send off he deserved, he will be sadly missed and all our thoughts are with his mam & dad, Heather, Dave & brother Conor. I was just pleased that I won a race at Knockhill for him, as I promised myself I would, as he always enjoyed coming to the racing,

Godspeed Lewis!

See you next time. Cheers Dave.

July 09

Hello again, I know it’s been ages since I last put something on here but you know what I’m like “about as much use as a fart in a space suit” when it comes to writing stuff down.

Anyway we went up to East Fortune for the second round of the North East Championships back in May and after rain on Friday the weekend was pretty good apart from the odd heavy shower. Practice and Qualifying went well and the first Minitwin race was a cracker, I made a good start and slotted into 3^rd then had a race long battle with Andy Lawson, passing each other every lap until finally I managed to stay in front with a couple of laps to go to take the win. I had another good race in the Thunderbikes with ‘Pixie’ (Ian Pattinson) on his ZX7 starting where we left off at Croft, I chased him all the way but had to settle for 2^nd. The next Minitwin race was a little less eventful, after the first couple of laps I pulled away to win comfortably.

The second Thunderbike race was wet after a heavy downpour, not my favourite conditions but I made a good start in 2^nd. I was quickly relegated to 3^rd but was in a good scrap with Pixie and Scott Campbell. Pixie came by so I just sat behind him for a couple of laps as I gained more confidence, on lap six I moved back into 3^rd then quickly into 2^nd and put in a couple of good laps to pull away slightly, the leader was too far ahead so that was how it stayed and I was happy enough.

The weather was good on Sunday morning and the Minitwins were up first, I made another good start and led the race the whole way to win by 5 seconds, next was the Thunderbikes and in a virtual repeat of the previous day’s race I finished 2^nd to Pixie “AGAIN”. The Michael Moore Trophy race was next and after winning it for the last two years I had a little bit more pressure on me to retain it as I’d left the trophy on top of our fridge at home, fortunately for me everything went to plan and I won the race comfortably, ‘to spare my blushes’ and was presented with a bottle of milk instead of a trophy by Sue Symons.

It was straight back to the racing though and the last Minitwin race was another start to finish win although I was chased hard by a good young rider Daniel Chappell. The last Thunderbike was a cracker, I made a good start and was lying 2^nd having a good battle with Scott Campbell for the first two laps allowing Pixie to pull away a little, I managed to get away and got my head down putting in a couple of real good laps to catch Pixie. On lap five I had a look up the inside at the hairpin but wasn’t close enough so backed off, the next lap I was closer and dived up the inside at the hairpin to take the lead, on the next short straight I looked over my shoulder and just waited for him coming past which he did then the red flags came out as we crossed the line and it was called a result. I couldn’t have ridden any harder and was 2^nd by 0.02 seconds but had the consolation of setting the fastest lap of the race. A good weekend in all and only a few days to get the bike ready for Scarborough the following weekend for the Barry Sheene Classic.



Leading Mike Minns and the pack into Mere, Barry Sheene meeting (cdhphotography.co.uk)

      This race wasn’t on my schedule as it’s normally a classic only meeting but they put in some classes for modern bikes so here we were. My first race was in the 250/400 & Minitwins so there was a right old mixture, I made a cracking start and led for the first four laps then was passed by Lee Vernon on a 250, I held onto him for as long as possible but in the end I realised I couldn’t catch him so I settled for 2^nd.

The Open class was next and I got off to a good start but had a bit of a lonely race finishing 8^th. The second 250/400 race was a virtual repeat of the first and I finished 2^nd again followed by another 8^th in the second Open race.

After a night on the slot machines and a race on the dodgems with Spencer, Sunday morning practice came and I went out for a little run, after a couple of laps I caught Adam Nix who was at Olivers Mount for the first time. I followed him up the back straight and went to go up the inside into Memorial but he moved over as I got alongside and it all got pretty close. At one point I thought we were both going down, my right knee was on his fairing and my left handle bar was in the hedge but somehow I managed to squeeze through and was just pleased to see he was still there when I turned round to wave and say sorry, as he wouldn’t have known I was there until I came past. There is a clip from his onboard camera on www.oliversmount.com on the “whats new” page under Barry Sheene Classic 2009, Its well worth a look and so is the site itself as Chris Machin does a cracking job with it and the race clips are really good. Anyway back to the racing, I had another two 2^nd’s in the 250/400’s the last race being the best, the two Open races were identical and I finished 8^th in both but had great fun pulling wheelies up Quarry hill and over Jefferies jumps to keep the spectators entertained.



                               Getting the front wheel up over Jeffries Jumps ( cdhphotography.co.uk)

Overall the weekend was really good and not as hectic as normal just good crack..

Since then we’ve been to the TT for the day to see the Junior race and had a good time over there catching up with a few people, we also got Carter christened and he was as good as gold all day especially as he was passed from pillar to post all day, everybody wanted a cuddle.

We’re back at Scarborough this weekend (11/12 July) for the Cock ‘o’ the North and hopefully we’ll have another good meeting and with bit of luck I’ll get something put on the website quicker than this.

Cheers, Dave.

April 09

Hello again, and welcome to a belated 2009 season, things were very busy at the start of the year, baby Carter arrived on 28^th January 8lbs and Spencer became more of a handful by the day, especially now he’s shed his stabilisers.

We bought him a Kiddimoto and after a couple of weeks of no pedals he was away on his bike, his balance is fantastic for just turned three and he’s loving it.

Little Carter is also doing well, piling on the weight as he loves his milk and sleep, can’t think who he’s like.

We got the new bike at the end of February and I ran it in on the road, it’s a fantastic machine, it does everything so well, then it was time to start making a race bike . One or two things had changed slightly, which was a pain in the bum but I got it prepared by the Thursday before Croft (no point in hurrying).

In first practice it felt spot-on and was surprised how quickly I got on the pace, not having ridden since October, managing to put it on pole in both Mini-Twin and Thunderbike classes.

Getting down to it at Croft (Courtesy CDH Photography)

The Mini-Twin race was a start to finish whitewash, a bit boring but a good season opener, I led away in the Thunderbikes but ‘Pixie’ (Ian Pattinson) got to the first corner quicker on his ZX7, I rode around him at Hawthorn but he blew me away on the back straight and try as I might had to settle for second.

After a poor start in the second Mini-Twin I picked my way through from fifth to lead on lap two, easing away for a comfortable second win.

Thunderbikes was a little harder, getting swallowed up by three bigger bikes and tussling with them for a couple of laps before getting in front and staying there, ‘Pixie’ had gone so finished another safe second.

Sunday weather was better and I got another Mini-Twin win and another Thunderbikes second after a good scrap with ‘Pixie’ on the first two laps.

Scrapping with Ian Pattinson (MGP Winner) at Croft (Photo Courtesy DSC)

The final Mini-Twin race was the most enjoyable with ‘Pixie’ and I passing and re-passing each other, flicking the ‘V’s and generally messing about for the first 5 laps, we were having such a laugh that I almost forgot I had a race to win and got my head down for a comfortable fourth victory.

Daddy's biggest fan, watching at Croft

The last Thunderbikes was a little closer as I kept ‘Pixie’ in sight all the race and despite setting my fastest lap of the weekend, still had to settle for second, the Kawasaki Newcastle ER6 was excellent and I was happy overall with how things had gone.

Two weeks later it was Scarborough for the Ian Watson Spring National with a cracking entry including Ryan Farquhar with his ’trick’ ER6 built for the Irish Supertwins Class, I managed to qualify quickest but only by 0.2secs so was looking forward to a competitive race on the Mini-Twin.

Leading Ryan Farquhar at Drurys Hairpin (Courtesy CDH)

First race was the Superbike qualifier and lying 13^th having a good scrap with a couple of 1000’s when I was surprised to see Guy Martin pulling his bike out of the hedge at the Esses, promoting me to twelvth. I lost two places on the back straight but regained one round Memorial and the other at Drury’s only to be passed again down the hill, I got them both together up the inside at Mountside and held on to 12^th at the finish. I thought that was good enough to qualify for the final of the Ian Watson Spring Cup but was mistaken.

Next was the first Mini-Twin in a staggered race with the 250’s going first, I got a cracking start then Farquhar came up the inside but overshot at Mere and I got back under him to lead up the hill, holding on for a lap and a half before he got me on the back straight, I stayed on his tail and nipped inside at Mountside but he passed me again on the straight. I stayed with him until we came upon 250 backmarkers, we were quicker, but they had the edge on top speed, making it difficult to pass, Ryan got through better than I did allowing him to pull a 4 second gap that I couldn’t make up.

I was disappointed with second as I thought I had a chance of a win, which fired me up a bit for the next race.

Showboating at Jeffries Jumps (Courtesy CDH)

I made another good start leading for a lap and a half before Ryan passed on the back straight so I just sat on his back wheel the entire race, every lap his pitboard read +0 so he knew I was there. We came up to the 250’s again and caught a group of three on the penultimate lap, we both got past one, then Ryan slipped by another at Memorial and I had to brake very late to get alongside and ride round the outside to pass the 250 at Drury’s. I got my head down and got onto Ryan’s back wheel again at Drury’s on the last lap, making my move up the inside on the brakes into Mountside and having a bit of a job getting it stopped and turned, but I managed. It wasn’t the prettiest pass you’ve ever seen, reminiscent of a MotoX block pass, but it worked and I ran down over the jumps to take the win.

I was ecstatic, the total opposite of a couple of hours previous when the backmarkers worked against me.

Leading Ryan again out of Memorial (Photo CDH)

I had one final race the Non-Qualifiers, and as they didn’t even have me in it, had to start grid 22 the back row, I made a decent start and just pushed on, without a pit board had no idea what position I was in, but passed loads of 600’s and 1000’s. I had great fun coming through the field to finish a surprised second, only beaten from the back row by an R1 which is not too shabby considering I’m riding a Pizza Delivery Bike. That brought a thoroughly enjoyable day to a close, the ER6 performed brilliantly and never missed a beat.

Next we’re off to Scotland for the second round of the NEMCRC Championship at East Fortune on May 16/17 and hopefully we can carry on where we left off at Olivers Mount.

The weekend after that I’m back at Scarborough for the Barry Sheene Classic meeting so it’s going to be a busy fortnight, I’ll let you know how I get on.

Cheers, Dave.

February 09

                     Main news is the arrival of son number two, little Carter 8.00lbs was born at 10.07pm at Dryburn, sorry University Hospital, Durham on wednesday 28th January a dark little bundle with lots of hair. Susan is doing very well but Big brother Spencer is very protective already, so watch out !!

Carter age half a day and Spencer 3 years 23 days

                    Not a lot of racing news so far this year, other than I've seen the new ER6 promised from Dave Winfield at Kawasaki Newcastle and it looks the 'BIZ' so we'll hopefully get to 'quietly tip-toe' round Croft in April with NEMCRC, if Croft's still operating.

                      More news to come as it happens !!

Take a trip down David's memory lane



Hope to see you sometime in the paddock, David.

Many thanks to Dave at Moto Direct for providing

AGV Helmet

Wolf Racing Leathers + Gloves

& Motul Oil for the 2009 season

it is a great help.

Pup would also like to thank

Dave Scott at Apico

for his efforts with the Pro-Taper Bars.

Contact David at

davidbellracing@fsmail.net





"He's getting old ya know" (Photo Geof Symonds)

'Pixie' having a lie down at Knockhill, with me taking avoiding action

On my way to a new lap record, scratching at the Esses (CDH Photography)

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