Racing
www.shelveyracing.co.uk
Rookie Day - 14th February 2010
Wow, the winter break has gone so quickly, we were only just ready to hit the track after finishing prep-ing the bike on Saturday and putting the van into some kind of order for Dave’s first outing in 2010. One thing was for sure and that was that it was going to be a chilly one, years of experience taught us that ski gear and thermals were a must and the new large halogen heater was put in for good measure. We were up very early on Sunday morning and to the track by seven thirty. The inner paddock was stuffed full and we just about squeezed into a spot outside garage twelve, our home for the day. Two of the Rookies were already in the garage getting ready. We helped them with their numbers and suggested they put wet tires on as the snow began to fall, covering the floor in a white dusting. Having retrieved Dave’s essentials, I helped Stu put the heater together, and we had a hot chocolate whilst Dave attended the riders briefing. Upon his return the other two riders appeared and we set about getting Dave’s wets on the bike.
The snow had delayed the start of the day by an hour and Management sent Dave out to test the circuit to see if it was good enough to use. It was lovely to see and hear him in full flight, the bike sounded wonderful, so gruff and yet sharp in the cold still air. He was surrounded by people when he returned to the garage desperate to know how the track felt, it was slippy in parts but Dave said he would be happy to race on it so the day began.
Green group were last out on track so Dave had a bit of time to chat to his guys, it was going to be a hard day for everyone as the weather was not the best, so he tried to urge them to ride within themselves. It was good to get the first session out of the way as it quelled some of the nerves and the guys began to relax and enjoy themselves. We were joined through the day by Steve “fish”, Seb and Delboy, as well as current Rookie champion Danny Johnson, they all had very understanding girlfriends who all came in for a stand next to the heaters for a warm up, Del and Danny’s Mums were also along to catch up! As the sessions continued, the team gelled together, they followed Dave well, trying to complete the tasks he asked of them, whilst Dave was able to keep an eye on each of them. One of Dave’s Rookies was a bit keen out of Graham Hill and hi-sided just in front of Dave and another one of his rookies, luckily the rider was not badly hurt and his bike was only damaged on one side. However it had spooked him and without spares that was enough to pull out of the final part of the day. We managed to get a copy of the start grid for the green group, and Dave explained how to pull off a start, he took his group to the wall to watch the earlier groups and then guided his guys to their spots in the collecting area before running down to the wall to watch row two’s attempts. All the guys were really good, and made the start easily, the slippy conditions were hard going but they nailed it. The last session was a free session so Dave lead the guys out then let them go, both number 80 and number 51 missed the session out but the remaining two had a good session. Dave finally got his new boots to work, in as much as he could now change gear! Soon the day was over and we all began to pack away, the Rookies seemed to enjoy their day and Dave was pleased that he had made it round the track without too much incident. The bike was in good working order and everyone seemed happy. Whilst he attended the instructor de-briefing, I continued to pack the van away. The other halves of the Instructors gathered in the garage and we discussed the day which was amusing. Dave was soon back and we finished off the packing before heading off home.
We are back out again in three weeks time with the seasons opener from Brands over the weekend of the 6th and 7th of March – can’t wait........
Wow, the winter break has gone so quickly, we were only just ready to hit the track after finishing prep-ing the bike on Saturday and putting the van into some kind of order for Dave’s first outing in 2010. One thing was for sure and that was that it was going to be a chilly one, years of experience taught us that ski gear and thermals were a must and the new large halogen heater was put in for good measure. We were up very early on Sunday morning and to the track by seven thirty. The inner paddock was stuffed full and we just about squeezed into a spot outside garage twelve, our home for the day. Two of the Rookies were already in the garage getting ready. We helped them with their numbers and suggested they put wet tires on as the snow began to fall, covering the floor in a white dusting. Having retrieved Dave’s essentials, I helped Stu put the heater together, and we had a hot chocolate whilst Dave attended the riders briefing. Upon his return the other two riders appeared and we set about getting Dave’s wets on the bike.
The snow had delayed the start of the day by an hour and Management sent Dave out to test the circuit to see if it was good enough to use. It was lovely to see and hear him in full flight, the bike sounded wonderful, so gruff and yet sharp in the cold still air. He was surrounded by people when he returned to the garage desperate to know how the track felt, it was slippy in parts but Dave said he would be happy to race on it so the day began.
Green group were last out on track so Dave had a bit of time to chat to his guys, it was going to be a hard day for everyone as the weather was not the best, so he tried to urge them to ride within themselves. It was good to get the first session out of the way as it quelled some of the nerves and the guys began to relax and enjoy themselves. We were joined through the day by Steve “fish”, Seb and Delboy, as well as current Rookie champion Danny Johnson, they all had very understanding girlfriends who all came in for a stand next to the heaters for a warm up, Del and Danny’s Mums were also along to catch up! As the sessions continued, the team gelled together, they followed Dave well, trying to complete the tasks he asked of them, whilst Dave was able to keep an eye on each of them. One of Dave’s Rookies was a bit keen out of Graham Hill and hi-sided just in front of Dave and another one of his rookies, luckily the rider was not badly hurt and his bike was only damaged on one side. However it had spooked him and without spares that was enough to pull out of the final part of the day. We managed to get a copy of the start grid for the green group, and Dave explained how to pull off a start, he took his group to the wall to watch the earlier groups and then guided his guys to their spots in the collecting area before running down to the wall to watch row two’s attempts. All the guys were really good, and made the start easily, the slippy conditions were hard going but they nailed it. The last session was a free session so Dave lead the guys out then let them go, both number 80 and number 51 missed the session out but the remaining two had a good session. Dave finally got his new boots to work, in as much as he could now change gear! Soon the day was over and we all began to pack away, the Rookies seemed to enjoy their day and Dave was pleased that he had made it round the track without too much incident. The bike was in good working order and everyone seemed happy. Whilst he attended the instructor de-briefing, I continued to pack the van away. The other halves of the Instructors gathered in the garage and we discussed the day which was amusing. Dave was soon back and we finished off the packing before heading off home.
We are back out again in three weeks time with the seasons opener from Brands over the weekend of the 6th and 7th of March – can’t wait........