Next round for the race team was a very long drive with van/bikes/caravan/refreshments to sunny Norfolk to a track we knew very little about (apart from it being very fast).
Not having the benefit of doing the test day on the Friday, we arrived Friday evening feeling a little naïve and worried whether we were going to be on the pace for the weekend’s 4 races. Well not long to find out!
We were first race up and with storm clouds looming we were away! After 5 laps with Richy lying 5th and Gerry 21st the heavens opened with rain then hailstones! Another 2 laps were ridden before the race was red flagged, with riders going down all over as half the track was dry and the other half an ice rink! Gerry held position but Richy (remembering his big “off” at Donington), cruised round for a safe 10th.
Next race saw Gerry struggling with his lines, trying to get more speed, finally finishing 23rd a little disappointed but feeling much happier with Richys excellent 5th place! (Dad Gerry taught him everything he knows you know)
Sunday was clear, dry and sunny, both bikes working well with a productive enjoyable days racing to look forward to!
First race saw some close racing right down the whole field with riders’ elbows and bike handlebars overlapping at 120mph! Two sensible rides saw Gerry in 24th and Richy 7th, both riders bringing their personal lap times down at every outing, and with the leader breaking the lap record on more than one occasion.
Final race of the day for the team saw Richy having a great dice towards the “sharp end” finally easing away for a clear 7th place. Gerry had a close and exciting battle with the lads he had been racing against all weekend, finally making the most of a couple of their mistakes and pulling away for a solid 21st place and a personal fastest time of the weekend!
All in all a tremendous weekend of racing leaving Richy 10th in the Championship (from 25 riders) and Gerry a creditable 9th in the Senior (over 40) Championship from 21 riders.
Snetterton, – a tremendous circuit that left throttle arms aching from keeping the throttles pinned back in top for what seemed like ages, lap after lap!
Finally, a big thanks to “other halves” Jan and Ally for keeping the coffee, Lucozade and sarnies coming without a grumble.
Check out the iPlayer on www.thundersportgb.com for the Donington round with Snetterton available in a couple of weeks
Next round – the “biggy” at Cadwell Park, Louth, Lincolnshire 26th/27th May. It would be great to see you there.
Gerry Johnson 157
Richy Johnson 156
Team RBRacing/Labman