Race review - GP Originals rounds 1

Photographer Bob White

Before we head off to south wales with the Classic Racing Motorcycle Club in a week, Andy Green decided to pop down south to Brands, with Roy Dale and Steve Pots in tow, to stick Andy's TZ in for a few laps of the little Kent circuit.

As Andy was the only rider, here are a few words from the man himself:

After the winter lay off it was certainly good to get back out on a bike. Currently the only member of the team to race regularly with GP Originals meant I had plenty of assistance with Roy and Steve accompanying myself to the event.

Practice didn’t go to plan. Despite a winter of preparation the exhaust split on the 6th lap, this had the potential to finish the weekend. Steve somehow managed to talk the campervan conversion company just outside the circuit to weld it up for me. Helped that the person owned a reverse cylinder TZR250 (3MA) for track days! This was duly welded and refitted in time to make the first race.

Photographer Bob White

Saturdays racing was blessed with sunshine and a warm track. This resulted in 2 good races to get myself back into the swing. Lap times came down as I managed to loosen up. However, what was apparent is the lack of bike fitness. The 12 lap races seemed to go on forever, 9 laps in and I was ready for a brew.

Sunday first race involved a start line incident with 4 bikes, luckily it all happened all to the right of me and I avoided the carnage. The grid carried on expecting the red flag to appear which it never did. The marshals managed to drag the debris to the side even with one bike on fire. Allowing the race to continue on a yellow for that part of the circuit. During the race I could hear a noise under heavy braking which I assumed was the pads working hard. However, on lap 6 it turns out the front tyre was making contact with the brake hose and had cut through sufficiently to allow no pressure at the leaver. Luckily for me it was approaching Surtees and McLaren and did not require much if any braking when I spotted the issue. Bike safely back in the paddock allowed a spare brake hose to be fitted and ready for the last race.

This resulted in another 14th place finish and a steady start to the new and very welcomed season.

Overall 3x 14th places and a DNF on a grid of 30 is a good start from which to work on.

Super thanks again to another year of support from some great names in Motorsport.