BSSO Anglesey: SLUK Rookie George laps it up | SPORT

After a long few days travelling through Wales, we arrived at Anglesey circuit around noon on Friday, only to find a very unhappy lady stood on the front gate.

She explained that we couldn’t get in until 6 pm. To kill time I decided to watch the current track day, then I noticed a scooter winding up some big motorbikes which was good to watch. I went down to the paddock to find Ryan and the Chiselspeed team. After a long conversation I went back to the van for an hour and watched the weather forecast deeply as rain was a possibility. In the end, the strong winds had changed that and we had a sunny afternoon setting up for the weekend.

Qualifying

Saturday morning I woke up with the usual nerves as the clouds ahead made their presence clear. Apart from the clouds, the temperature was warm and the track began to heat up. After checking the bike over once in the morning everything was smooth sailing until I noticed a tiny pinhole in my exhaust. The MHR small frame pipes are known for their lack of thickness and tend to wear over large amounts of racing. But after a tiny weld, David Bristow solved my problems once again. The bike was now ready to go for the first scooter outing of the day, Stock scooter qualifying.

The first call was made for Stock scooters and everyone assembled in the holding area. Guiding us all through the pit lane we were off, many riders trying to get their best times in as soon as possible. I took a lap or two to learn the track and all the different lines you can take. After that, I made my effort to put my best time in. This concluded with a 1:48.32 fastest lap. I was proud as I didn’t qualify last.

Supers

Now on to the Supers class, I was a tad more confident as I’ve already been out on track and I know where I can gain (possibly). With that being said I had now put in a fastest lap of 1:45.21. I was extremely proud of the three seconds I had knocked off from just knowing a bit more about the track. And with John the Greek and Dave Bristow pulling off I still hadn’t qualified last.

Stock Race

The Stock races is what I really wanted to work on as that is my main class. Going out and just getting around I found myself going back and fourth with Michael Leicester. He found himself having issues with his scooter which ended his race. I gave it my best shot to get close to another rider but I just couldn’t, so chilled out and took the points rather than overdoing myself. Getting into the pits I felt really happy on how the bike runs and feels.

Second Supers

The second race of the day is the first super scooters race. Me, Dave and John came up with the plan “Just push our way to the front of the queue” with our three aggressive little wasps. We pushed our way up, well they did anyway. I got a solid start and was with the pack of scooters but Dave and John found every little gap possible to make their ways to the front. With them zooming off I took a steady pace around, practicing each corner faster and faster each time. On the last lap, I heard a rather loud scooter behind me and it was John again! He went from last to first and lapped me…

Second Stock

For the second Stock race of the day, I didn’t think I had anyone to battle with at the back as Michael Leicester was still having issues with his scooter. The next rider in front of Michael was Danny Loder. After the sighting lap I realised he was behind me on the grid. After getting a good start I was behind him for all the first lap until in the top section of the track he had a minor accident which caused him to slide off the track. Nearly hitting him, I made my way around the rest of the race gaining even more points on the board.

Postponed

The fourth race on Saturday was moved to Sunday morning.

Saturday is done now and I looked over my scooter and after tea fell asleep from the excitement and adrenaline that was running through me all day! Despite any problems, I was always smiling.

Sunday morning

I was ready and showered for half seven, even though racing started at nine I was too excited for a lay-in. Making sure I double-checked the fuel, ate breakfast and then thought to sit the three-lap practice out in the morning as there was not much point. Five races to go I was ready!

I arrived at the holding area to find out we would be waiting in direct sunlight for a motorcycle accident to be sorted for 15 minutes. It was hot! Now being let out, the sighting lap goes as per usual and we come round for the real deal start! I was a little bit too excited and in doing so I jumped the lights, rookie moment I know. I quickly repositioned myself and went off. It was later into the race and I found myself being lapped by John again. When he went past I tried to follow him for as long as possible but came to terms with the lack of fuel in the scooter. Another rookie moment, I won’t be doing that again for sure!

First Stock Race

The first Stock race on Sunday was indeed eventful. After getting a really good start I stuck behind Andy Walker for the whole race until the last lap where I had more speed going down the hill into the corkscrew, diving into it first and found myself leading us both out to the line. I was absolutely buzzing. I found Andy in the pit and we talked about how good a race it was. We both had fun and it’s definitely an experience that was worth it.

Second Supers Race

Now the second Super race had arrived and we all queued up to the start line for the official start where David Bristow and John the Greek went straight to the front of the queue. John low-siding it off the track. The whole race I tried to stick with Adie Horrocks, at first I was slowly losing him until I had the faith that I could catch up and was slowly gaining on him. I was behind him quicker than I thought and I reckoned I could get catch him. It came to the last lap and I was right on his tail through the top section. I was right behind him, waiting for a moment when I could take advantage of coming through the Corkscrew faster than usual. I kept up with Adie through the left-hander on the way to the line, I went on the outside and just pipped him to the line.

#58 Steve Hamilton styles it up on his Vespa 90SS

Stock Race

The adrenaline was still rushing from the last race and I couldn’t wait to get out in the Stock race. The sighting lap goes past as usual, and the official start takes place. Getting a really good start I kept to the pack just behind John Woods. Up in the distance I could see the top runners and Nikita Donoghue sliding off the track and her scooter taking a different approach, flipping multiple times. Luckily she walked away safe and sound and the race was restarted. On the line again, we were given the instructions for a shortened four-lap race. Not getting the best start I stayed with the back end of the grid and made my way around just earning points for the board.

Final Supers

Now for the last Supers race and the last race of the weekend. I was excited for the race, but gutted it was the last one. I got a good start and just took it easy and tried to practice the lines at every corner and get used to the full potential of the scooter, everything was going well. I was flying and it came to the last lap where on the last corner, John had lapped me again but it was great to feel my times were improving as it took him a while to lap me. As soon as I got into the pits I realised I had had such a good weekend and prepared myself for the racing blues until the next meeting at Cadwell Park.

Words: George Fielder #229

Race images: Kevin Gunstone

Paddock shots: Ben Readings