Cadwell BSSO: The highs and lows of racing – rookie George Fielder and nobbled veteran Steve Wright | FEATURE

BSSO Rookie, George Fielder turned 15 just a few days after the Cadwell meeting but he’s still the youngest scooter rider to grace the tracks for many years.

Juggling school and racing isn’t easy and calls for a few sacrifices, but when you’re as keen as mustard, getting up at 4:30 am isn’t a problem. Here’s how he got on and a few words from currently recuperating Steve Wright from DSC Racing.

Early start

The morning started off with a 4:30 am wake-up call and we were on the road north for 5 am. With a long journey ahead we cracked on. 

Arriving at Cadwell at 11 am gave us time to set up, enjoy lunch and then prep the scoot. After this I went down to scrutineering with Mikey Bonnet, getting the scooter passed with flying colours. I went to the office and handed over my license then carried on the day with multiple chats to various people. By 9 pm I was asleep! All comfy in the van, buzzing for the morning ahead of me.

For many racers walking the track gives them a chance to check out where it goes and evaluate the surface before they even turn a wheel during race weekend. 

Saturday

Saturday morning arrived with a 7 am wake-up to the alarm. With nerves flying through my body I checked tyre pressures in the early mist that covered for miles. It was frightening until the sun came out and within 15 minutes the mist was gone and the track was warming. As the great weather continued, I ate, got my leathers on, started the scooter, and the nerves were gone.

I was on a mission to complete practice and put in a good time while also learning the track. Coming out of the holding bay and purposely pulling to the back made it more comfortable to ride the track without having to worry about others. Putting in a steady lap to warm the tyres, I got back round to the start line and went at it. Absolutely loving the track and weather, I put in a 2:49 lap time. I knew I could do better but for a first time at the track I was impressed, loving the wiggly bits compared to the long straights as it gave me too much time to think.

Race 1

Waiting there in my leathers for a long time due to race delays, I set off on race one to complete it and have fun. Doing the majority of the race, I started hearing engine noises and decided to pull in and get the scoot checked out. My dad looked over the scoot, it was ok. The plug was perfect and no signs of detonating. I decided to leave it till race two… which ended up being cancelled.

Saturday evening

We looked at the bike and suspected the timing was slightly out and changed it. Jump-starting the bike led to spinning a woodruff key, I just wasn’t having any luck. After shouting at the scoot, a few kicks and a change of woodruff key we were ready for Sunday morning.

Sunday morning

I woke up early and waited for the startup time to see how the scoot was running. Brilliant, it was more torquey and had loads more grunt. I took it over to the famous Dave Bristow as he asked to have a go (if he asks to have a go on your scooter you can never decline that) with the get-go from Dave I was ready.

First race Sunday

With the bike raring to go, I pulled up to the start line. On the sighting lap the bike was amazing. I was getting past a bunch of people on the lights. Now time to do it for real! Approaching the lights, I positioned myself over the handlebars and looked towards the lights. And off we go, with me keeping up with John Holt. Keeping it pinned up The Mountain, all is looking good, then the marshals present the red flags. I pull down the Gooseneck, and up to Ben Readings, we talk and slowly ride back up to the grid – another sighting lap around sunny Cadwell.

Lining up on the grid for the last time, the lights went off and I got up The Mountain fully pinned – I felt on fire, keeping up with John Holt again and following Danny Loder. I kept it fully pinned up the back straight. Then, before getting to the top of the not-so-flat straight the scoot gave me a slight lock-up and a full loss of power, clutch in and my hand was up. My weekend was over from that very second. Back to the pits after meeting Ryan in the pickup van, the head was off and you could see the gaping hole in the piston. All the family packed up and went home after the last few races.

Thanks to my family, team and fellow racers for all their help and support.

I would just like to include this last part to wish Steve Wright a speedy recovery and I hope to see him out on track as soon as possible.

#229 George Fielder

The highs and lows of a race weekend at Cadwell

The weekend could not have started any better for me. I managed to put both scooters on pole position in their respective classes.

After some long delays on Saturday, due to some serious medical emergencies in the paddock, we had to await the return of the ambulance. So we would only have one race on each machine. The first race would be Proddy and I was looking forward to resuming my season-long tussle with Nikita. Unfortunately, I didn’t make it around the warm-up lap as the float needle stuck and fuel was everywhere so I could only spectate. Back to the paddock and the team DSC crew are straight onto the scooter to resolve the problem ready for its next race. Soon it was time for the Group 6 race. This went to plan with me winning the race. I didn’t have it easy with teammate Graham Tatton and Mickey Bonnet pushing me all the way. With that win in the bag, we had a good Saturday night socialising, even if I sneaked away early to bed.

Stalling on the line

Sunday morning and Production Class was out early. Warm-up lap completed and watching for the lights to go out I dropped the clutch and shit, I stalled it on the line, my arm goes up to try to warn the 20 or so scooters behind that I have a problem and I pray that everyone avoids me. The ones at the back of the grid are unsighted and can only take avoiding action at the very last second. Unfortunately for me, Brook, who by now is travelling around 50mph, tries his best to swerve to miss me but hits my arm and leg resulting in him crashing to the deck as well as me.

The track marshals and paramedics are quickly at the scene and assess the rider’s injuries. I complain of an injury to my left wrist and left leg but assure them it will only be bruising. They help me to my feet hmm, I can’t put much weight on my leg but I managed to get in the car for a short trip to the medical centre for a full assessment. Brook is there and he’s really concerned for me and I try to assure him I’ll be OK and it was definitely not his fault.

Not got a leg to stand on

The paramedics helped remove my helmet, leathers and boots, then the doctor comes to assess my injuries. He notes I have a haematoma on my lower leg and a problem with my wrist. I assure him it’s not too bad but he’s not buying it and won’t sign a fit note for me, despite pleading with him I’ll be OK in a little while. The doctor keeps his professional approach, pointing out the swelling on my leg. I’m still adamant I will be fine. The doctor gives me a glimmer of hope, he says they are giving me crutches and will drive me back to the paddock. If I can walk back to the medical centre later in the day he will sign me fit. They give me the crutches and that’s when things go downhill fast. I can’t put weight on my wrist, never mind my leg. The fantastic medical staff are back in action putting me back on the bed. The doctor comes back and assesses the wrist and says I have probably broken it and recommends a trip to the hospital for an x-ray on the wrist and leg. So off to Grimsby A&E. Again the doctor assesses me, he agrees I’ve broken my wrist but doesn’t think I’ve broken my leg but wants an x-ray to confirm it.

It only hurts a bit

After the x-ray the nurse asked me what is the pain like in my leg, my reply is ‘It’s not really painful, just a little uncomfortable.’ Well, she says ‘You’ve broken your tib and fib as well as your wrist’. Not what I wanted to hear, bollocks.

So the brilliant NHS springs into action, they put a temporary cast on my wrist and a full cast on my leg but then realise I can’t use crutches with my wrist, so the leg cast is cut off and they give me a boot to support my leg until the swelling goes down. Then they will reassess and decide if I need an op or some realignment of the bone. I make a quip about being able to drive now I only have a boot on but rightly so, received a lecture from the doctor about the consequences from the authorities if I did drive, oops naughty boy.

I must say a massive thank you to all the marshals and medical staff at Cadwell for looking after me. Also, to team DSC for organising everything to get all my gear and myself home, one big family. Lastly, I have been overwhelmed by the amount of phone calls and messages just wishing me well and a speedy recovery it means a lot to me.

Update: Three weeks later…

As it turned out, I didn’t need an op. In fact, it could not have gone any better! I’m currently still resting at home but I’m weight-bearing. All the bones were in line so didn’t need any intervention. My target of being back for Darley is looking good, if anything stops me it will be my wrist which is causing me grief, although I’m using it as much as possible.

#3 Steve Wright

Words: George Fielder and Steve Wright.

Images: Kevin Gunstone