Assen, Netherlands – Race

Posted on August 6, 2006 by Mike Edwards

Chris Northover, 04/08/06 – 06/08/06
European SuperStock 600 Championship
Round 6

Right, Brands was good, time to top that and more good finishes. Living in relative luxury, I managed to blag a space in a chalet with Mum, Dad, Clive and Sally, result! Armed with a hire bicycle (and looking very Dutch for it) I made it Thursdays mission to do some testing over race distance, admittedly under pedal power! Despite the fact that I’ve ridden Assen before, the circuit had changed since last season! I can hear Roger mumbling something about excuses already, but I reckon if I get them out the way now I won’t be needing them after the first practice session.

Friday – Free Practice

Focussed and ready, went much better than in the past. Felt a little flustered in first half, but managed to keep it fairly smooth and build up a good repertoire of reference points. The weather was “iffy butty”, but stayed dry. The new section of track is pretty good, but sucks compared to old circuit! The bike was a bit unstable on the brakes over the bumps, and when hitting the bump out of turn 11, it was letting go big style at the rear. The bike didn’t seem to be recovering after the bump – too much rebound damping? Grandmaster Steve and the Furious Five were consulted, well Steve was. My suspicions were confirmed and I backed the rebound damping off 2 clicks to let the shock keep the rear tyre pinned to the floor.

Friday – First Qualifying

Again the weather held off giving us clear skies and a dry track for the afternoon session. First half I was trying too hard to find reference points but after a couple of laps managed to pick it up a bit and get going. Came in for a breather/checkup with Mike and formulated a plan so cunning for the second half, it almost out-foxed itself in the making. The plan was to get a good tow and use this to drop my lap times and improve my position, simple yet brilliant. There was however, one slight flaw in an otherwise superb plan. I struggled to find a tow and was greeted by a red flag when I did.

Once restarted and I chased regular podium finisher, Niccolo Canepa of all people, nothing like ambition eh? I then aimed at a black yam, but he was being a mobile chicane and I nearly hit him into turn 1 – I had to use the outside kerb on the brakes just to avoid him – another lap buggered. Thinking I still had 2 mins to go (silly me, relying on the signals given by the start line!) I held off for another tow, only to be greeted by the chequered flag when I came back round.

Friday night saw another 3 laps of the track on the coolest bicycles on the planet. Need to keep my head up and focus on things to drive towards, not just the reference points on the track, thus giving me directions to aim at as well as points to hit. Marvelous!

Saturday – Second Qualifying

Like a certain captain Scott who went to all the trouble of getting to the pole, but some bugger got there before him, I managed to go 2 seconds faster only for every other rider to do the same thing ARRGH!

Having said that, going that much faster in the final qualifying session is almost unheard of for me, so it’s a step in the right direction. I got my head sorted, got my reference points clear and tagged onto the back of anyone I could, even chasing Davide Jugglyjigglygiano (well, summat like that) for a bit. With no major moments and smoother, more consistent lines my lap times dropped and it was all rosy. That is, until we realised that everyone else had gone faster as well so I remained in 30th position on the grid. Still, this has been my strongest non-UK qualifying all season, so tomorrow’s race should hold forth an abundance of overtaking and see me in a decent position. Hopefully…

Sunday – Race

Awaking Sunday morning to the sweet sound of the rain hammering the roof of the chalet and the wind howling, it was nice of the Dutch weather to try to make me feel at home! We cycled to the circuit to avoid the traffic but someone forgot to pack any waterproofs… Not to be defeated by the weather, I rigged up a brolley into the straps on my bag and managed to stay surprisingly dry! I also learnt that it is not possible to wheelie a bike when the umbrella you’re attached to decides to behave like a sail!

With the race scheduled for 2:30 I was looking forward to a wet race, something I’ve never done before. I watched the first superbike race which made me even keener for rain. A touch of water and everyone except the brits seemed to take it upon them selves to dive into the largest puddles they could find and spread their bikes across the grass. Needless to say I was absolutely inspired by Chris Walker’s superb against all odds win and wanted to do my own rendition.

Not long after, things stopped going to plan; the rain stopped and the Supersports had a big pile-up delaying my race till the end of the day.

When we eventually got to race, we were held in the collecting area for what felt like hours before finally taking to the track. I knew where I was going to be for the first 6 corners and had been running through the first lap in my head all Saturday night and all day. Stay out of trouble in turn 1, then go for it round the outside on the 3 left-handers and stuff it up the inside of whoever’s left at the hairpin. It bloody worked too!

Having made loads of positions on the first lap, I was in the pack that went right through the teens and charging hard. After a hard battle with a Dutch wildcard, with no lack of argy bargy, I made a pass on him round the outside exiting a right hander out the back of the circuit. Despite there being plenty of room, he swerved across the track into me, sending me into a viscous tank-slapper, zig-zagging across the track before finding myself heading across a swamp masquerading as an infield.

Despite my best efforts (caught on camera and big screen!!) I was finally flung off the bike into the biggest puddle around, whilst the crowd was treated to Gixxer Gymnastics once again! Laying in 4 inches of muddy water was definitely not how I had envisaged Assen finishing and I was understandably gutted. But, as they say, (and who might they be?) racing’s a tough game and when you go out looking for a fight, you’ve got to expect to get hit. Enough philosophising, time for the thanks!

We had a huge team of people for Assen, all of whom did a sterling job over the weekend, especially in the most pants weather we’ve had all season.

Posted in 2006, Assen, Chris Northover, Race Report | Leave a comment

Brands Hatch, UK – Race

Posted on August 6, 2006 by Mike Edwards

Chris Northover, 04/08/06 – 06/08/06
European SuperStock 600 Championship
Round 6

Ah Brands! Time to get all nostalgic about last year when I started off on this European Superstock 600 malarkey! Two injuries, a lot of sleepless nights and the time of my life, but that’s another tale for another time, or something!

After pulling back such a good result at Brno after an appalling qualifying, I was determined to be on the pace from the word “go” at my home round. With the track only a 20 minute fast drive (or half an hour legally!!) from my parents house, you would expect me to know the track well. While this may be true of the short circuit, red tape and moaning people make chances to ride the full GP circuit few and far between. Luckily Matt and myself managed to get out on a track day a couple of weeks ago for some practice, which proved to be a shrewd move!!

After driving back from Hinckley where I work, in my brother’s car (long story – me and the internal combustion engine seem to be having some disagreements lately…), it was all hands on deck organizing tickets for friends and family for the weekend. Thursday shot past and before we could say “have you got any spare tickets?” it was Friday morning and time for free practice.

Friday – Free Practice

Out on track, it was great to get on a familiar circle of tarmac, especially one as enjoyable as Brands. Some, but not all, of the European tracks just feel so featureless compared with a good ol’ British race through the Kent countryside. After a few laps I was just getting in to it when I saw a pirates flag, but without the skull and cross-bones. Ah, that’ll be the black flag then…

It took a whole lap for me to figure out that a certain, timing-based pretty red box, otherwise known as a transponder, was sadly still in its own pretty box and not filling the gaping hole where it should have been on my bike. I didn’t swear. No really, I didn’t. I was too embarrassed!

Once this had been dealt with and The Boss had bailed Matt and myself out (yes, him too!!), it was straight back on track, to concentrate on the job in hand (and hide behind the black visor!). Now, the potential danger of being worked up over the transponder had passed, but there was another foe in wait for me… the brake gremlins of Teng Wheelire(!?). The pressures of determination led me to ignore the juddering and keep pushing my braking harder and harder. Unfortunately (there’s always an “unfortunately…” in these stories isn’t there!!) as I popped up to brake late for hawthorns (a 120+mph right hander out in the woods) I realised that perhaps I should have not tried quite so hard on this particular occasion…

As I always say, when things are going wrong; when you’ve combined very late braking with iffy brakes; when you’ve entered an already ridiculously fast corner too fast; mindless optimism will get you through. Or, at least, make you think you can get through! Despite my best efforts, the physics of the situation soon prevailed and Mr. Newton won this time. The bike cleared not only most of the gravel trap, but also the air fence, tyre wall and marshals’ road. It then decided it wanted a career change from lowly race bike, to lumberjack and aimed at an innocent tree. Tree 1 – GSXR600 – 0. That’ll be that job down the pan then!

After the session, I still managed to be 23rd fastest, which was fairly encouraging, especially considering that the lap I crashed on was looking to be my fastest lap at that point. I would also like to mention the fact that I was second fastest through the speed trap, although that may have something to do with the speed trap being just before hawthorns…

Friday – First Qualifying

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, my team is the best team in the world! How they transformed a sorry looking pile of bits laying at the foot of a tree into a fully operational race bike again, not forgetting the unforgiving time scale, is awe-inspiring. Having done such a sterling job, it would have been rude not to repay them with a good performance in the afternoon. Well, that and the fact that Matt was in the top ten…

After coming in to iron out a few tree-derived problems early on in the session and to try and cure the vibration from the front wheel, I lapped with consistent improvements and ended the session 17th. Given the fact that I had, only a few hours ago, indulged in the sort of crashing activity that could have easily ended the weekend, perhaps the season, we were rather pleased with ourselves! Our confidence for the remainder of the weekend was further boosted when we discovered the front wheel being buckled was the cause of the mystery vibration I had been experiencing.

Saturday – Second Qualifying

Final qualifying and a final chance to improve my grid position further. After a steady start bedding in new brake pads, I pitted to allow them to cool off before returning onto the track. I took a while to get up to the pace I had been comfortably running at on Friday. Despite pushing hard I failed to improve my time and to make matters worse was relegated to 23rd on the grid as other riders went quicker.

After the Friday comeback, needless to say, this was a major disappointment. After many hours running through every detail of the session, both in my head and with Mike we finally got down to an explanation for the problems and, more importantly, a plan of action for Sunday. The reason for my lack of speed was simple; lack of focus! The solution was to work hard to ensure I was in the right mindset every time I get on a bike and be really, REALLY focused.

I returned with a vengeance Sunday morning, with one goal in mind: overtake whoever is in front of me and repeat ’till the chequered flag. I arrived at the track and decided the best plan would be to relax and clear my mind in the morning and disappear to get mentally prepared in the hour approaching the race. I spent a chilled morning at the edge of the circuit out in the woods with friends, playing guitar and watching the bikes – paradise!! I disappeared to a Quiet Place for the hour preceding the race to run through the first lap bend by bend, move by move. I had my plan decided for the first corner from so many races on Brands Indy Circuit.

Sunday – Race

The start line was, once again, the best feeling in the world, with no one cheering louder than dear ol’ Mumsy!! Gah! Not content with her mischief at Silverstone, Mother Dearest was doing her best to embarrass me and even the grid interviewer felt the need to pass comment! Parents eh? After the sighting lap we lined up for the sixth time this season for what was to be my best race yet. As soon as the red light disappeared, I was off the line in a shot and made for the outside of Paddock Hill Bend like a drunk to a kebab shop at kick out time. Nothing was going to stop me getting the lines I wanted this time!

After passing a handful of riders round Paddock, I managed to get a couple more round the outside at Druids and into Graham Hill Bend. I got settled straight into the race and started trying to pick off riders one by one. I got fellow Brit Barry Burrell fairly early on in the race and set off after my crazy Italian chum Daniel Beretta. Friends off the track, but there would be no love lost between us once the visors snapped down; after battling for some time, he made a break when I had a big slide exiting Sheene Curve and lost considerable time.

By the time I had recovered the time I had childishly lost, master Beretta had managed to pass a few more riders and the chase was on. I set about getting past the remaining riders that stood between me and that all important top ten finish. After a few good stabs at getting through I had another slide, only this one was slightly bigger than the biggest slide I’ve ever seen! Mind you, it did get shown on the big screens and I guess any coverage is good coverage!

I set off (again!) to make up the lost time. Although I caught back up again, setting a faster lap than three riders in front of me in the process, I was unable to make a pass stick in time. After just missing out on 12th place by a ridiculously small margin, a 13th place finish still felt really good.

There were the usual “what if’s” and “I should’ve just…” thoughts in my mind, places I could have made a firmer pass, qualifying sessions I could have actually used rather than just riding round in circles… but the bottom line is that I came 13th after starting 23rd. Having learned so much once again and hopefully started to better suss out the immense psychological side of racing, I can only wait for Assen and make sure I put everything into practice.

Thanks and Cuddly Toys to:

  • Steve and Sarah Jordan – Use of plush race vehicle and highside practice… And Steve’s superb bike set up advice
  • Mike Edwards – Winner: 100m sprint, pit lane olympics. Thanks for sorting out my head for the race!!
  • Uncles Clive and Richard – Superb mechanic service, bikes repaired while U wait!
  • Roger and Tony Z – Professional ribbing of CG for crashing, a great double act now showing in a truck cab near you! Top notch supporters and much more!
  • Neil Faulkner – Help with brakes and tickets!
  • Ros and Pete – Supporting me and photography of Dragon Steak!
  • Craig for the NHS Helpline story…
  • Beckie Dark – CG Racing, Newquay Division
  • The man on the motorhome area gate, for being such a cheery chap!
  • Supporters Bruv, Kirst, Gemgem, Smed, Double D, Nick, Loominator, Sammy, Bunny, Unc Sebastian and Auntie Gertie, Jonny B Goode, Sarah, Chris, and everyone else who was there to support us.
Posted in 2006, Brands Hatch, Chris Northover, Race Report | Leave a comment

Brands Hatch, UK – Race

Posted on August 6, 2006 by Mike Edwards

Matt Bond, 04/08/06 – 06/08/06
European SuperStock 600 Championship
Round 6

Friday – Free Practice

After two disappointing rounds in a row I was well fired up and ready for Brands, pretty much my home round of sorts and thanks to a superb track day, which was to prove invaluable, I was totally focused on getting a decent result, not only for myself but the entire team.

I started practice at a decent pace and gradually built it up and up, getting used to which lines were working and how the bike felt. I also done a little bit of line experimentation by running in purposefully too deep and wide or too tight, just to get an idea of how to get round the turn well, if I make a mistake and not lose too much time.

After tagging onto the back of Davide Guigliano and finding his pace not too hard to keep I set about slamming in some good lap times. It seemed to work really well and the bike felt absolutely superb, with hardly a wheel out of place round the entire circuit, it just felt so smooth and flowing.

I decided to just finish the session early as I wanted to save the tyres for first qualifying and also to stop any of the other guys following my lines too closely. I was chuffed to pieces when I rolled into the pit lane and Steve signalled to me that I was fifth fastest. I was kind of in shock and didn’t really believe him until I checked for myself, and then a smile came across my face. Just knowing that we were at the top of the time sheets was an awesome feeling.

Friday – First Qualifying

After the first session on track I was more than ready to get myself the best qualifying of the season and it all started poorly! I spent the first fifteen minutes of the session just fooling about and was giving people a tow round the track, which I really shouldn’t have been doing at all. Fortunately a red flag came out and having returned to the pits boss man Mike gave me a useful word or two in my ear and it worked a treat.

Back on track and it began to work better than before and the times started to come together, with little improvements in every sector lap after lap. I just focused on pushing into, through and out of every turn a little more each lap and by the end of the session I was really working hard just to keep the bike on the right line as I began to push the tyres to their limit.

As the session began to end the bike began sliding everywhere as the rear tyre struggled to grip, after a severe amount of power being put through it for the last 25 minutes was beginning to take its toll. Fortunately it stayed together just enough for me to set my best time with a lap to spare, and I was pleased to end the session 6th fastest, with only Simeon getting in front of me, after him missing the entire first session with an oil leak. It was good to be up with the fast guys for a change, rather than languishing down the bottom end of the table as had been the norm for the last rounds.

Saturday – Second Qualifying

I was determined to improve on Fridays time and I so wanted to get onto the front row for the following days race, but it just wasn’t to be. I spent the entire session riding like a lemon to sum it up. I just couldn’t find my rhythm I didn’t focus on getting a tow from one of the guys in front of me and even when I did try I ended up either tailing them from too far behind or on a lap where they messed up or even on one of their in laps. Then when I tried pushing the times on my own my concentration just wasn’t there and I made mistakes everywhere and began to over ride the bike.

After returning to the pits to try and sort my head out there were only four minutes left and a rather stern word or two in my ear from Mike just flicked the switch and instantly I stuck in my fastest lap and then caught a tow from Simeon. I managed to stay with him for the entire lap and was on for fifth and then I completely muffed up Stirling’s, lost the rear on the brakes and only just managed to make the turn, but kept it pinned and crossed the line setting an even better time but the slide cost me dearly.

I slipped into ninth and the third row and was well gutted and I could see the disappointment in the teams eyes, I felt so bad not only for myself but for them mainly, even with the joy of the years best qualifying it still seemed like a poor result. I needed another lap really, and I’d have been sorted!

Mike and myself sat down afterwards and analysed the sector times and it all made sense as to what I could have done if I hadn’t made that mistake and it certainly cleared my mind and made me feel a lot more settled and confident for the race. I just began to think about a plan for the race and visualise it all.

Sunday – Race

After a fairly sleepless night just trying to plan for the race and trying to think about lines and where to pass if I got the chance, I was ready. Rolling out onto the sighting lap and looking around the circuit as I toured towards the grid I could just notice how many of the 120,000 plus people had stayed, and it was kind of frightening!

On the grid was superb, I could actually see the starting lights for the first time all season! And the added bonus of Frank’s wonderful grid girl made it even better, cheers to him and www.superbike-news.co.uk for sorting that one! I owe you fella! Sitting on the grid the media frenzy was somewhat overwhelming and just looking to the side and seeing more people than I could ever count made it all seem surreal, but at the same time made me realise that I had a big task at hand as well. Mike calmed me down and told me to focus in and visualise, whilst ignoring everything else around me (seemed a blooming hard thing to do at the time) and dad just said be smooth. It all worked and I just blanked it all out.

Once the grid was cleared I can honestly say that I was more nervous than for any other race I had been in and I’m sure that a tear of joy was in my eye as we were flagged away for the warm up lap. I just got the tyres scrubbed right to the edge and nice and hot and as I rolled into my grid slot I just re told myself the plan for the first turn. Next thing I know the lights are out and I made the start I wanted and made it into the first turn in about fifth place. The first laps a pretty much a blur and all I remember is getting my head down until entering Druids, Guigliano decided to use me as his brakes and literally smacked my arms off the bars! I just managed to save it but it shook me up, despite trying to get my own back he began to disappear, especially on the straights, damn that bike was fast, but maybe he was just getting out of the turn harder, I’ll never know.

The next lap Michal Savary passed me under yellows and I was well and truly pissed off by it as he didn’t pull over to let me back past. I got stuck behind him for what seemed like ages and I just couldn’t out-brake him due to the gaps he was getting on the straights, and that was definitely to do with his blooming fast bike! Once I finally got close enough I divided past at Paddock and set about catching Dan Sutter, which I quickly done but just couldn’t find the right line to pass him. It was a great little battle and he finally left me a gap at Druids and it was too good an opportunity, and I just ran in so hot, and how I stopped I really don’t know, but it worked! Next few laps I spent really charging and trying to catch Ondre Jezek and by the last lap I was closing in to striking distance, despite trying to keep Sutter behind! Exiting Stirlings I was close, but not close enough and had to let it go, there was no chance I could have made the pass safely, and thought that points would be better than a battered body and broken bike. So I settled for the place and crossed the line in seventh with Sutter right beside me in eighth and Jezek just in front in sixth.

I was so delighted to get a decent finish I just punched the sir with joy all the way up the hill to Druids, and then dully stopped to do a monster burnout! Which I duly copied for all the groups of fans all the way round the track! Some also got an additional wheelie down the back straight as an added bonus!

It felt awesome to return to a smiling, happy team and the improvement in places just made all the weekends work worth it. Seeing Chris come home in the points too bought a smile to my face. But for me being the first Brit home and with my first top ten of the year I was never gonna stop grinning like a Cheshire cat. It was the best day of my career thus far and has really inspired me to do it at every round form now on. No more excuses, just results, and with a great team around me I know its gonna be possible! Watch this space!

Lastly I’d just like to thank all the following people for making the weekend one of the most memorable and enjoyable one to date:

  • MIST Suzuki Race Team
  • www.givemethekeys.com
  • T&J Commercial Repairs
  • Steve Jordan Motorcycles
  • www.trackparts.co.uk
  • S&B Commercials
  • Silkolene
  • Pirelli
  • Nick & Matt @ Feridax
  • Frank Duggan and Mike Hill @ www.superbike-news.co.uk
  • Louise Cain @ www.petrol-heads.co.uk
  • Simon Bradley @ www.motorbikestoday.com
  • Mike Edwards for his inspirational words and management skills
  • Steve Jordan for suspension set up the gods couldn’t better
  • Everyone for their congrats and kind words
  • All the fans at the track for the support
  • All the fans at home cheering me on and texting me throughout the weekend
  • And the biggest thanks to Mum & Dad, whose tireless help, support and hard work has got me to where I am. I owe you so much I’m glad that we finally got where we deserved to be.

Cheers guys and see you at Assen in a few weeks!

Posted in 2006, Brands Hatch, Matt Bond, Race Report | Leave a comment