Laramoto comes back to racing at Donington Park
The itch to race was well and truly scratched with ThundersportGB at Donington Park on the 23rd to 25th July 21. After an inspired eBay purchase, an ’07 plate R6 was dragged out of someone’s shed, filled with FUCHS SILKOLENE goodness and brought back to life at Sam’s Dyno.
Turns out that 110hp can pull an 1:15.2 lap with some inspired riding; that puts me in the top 3rd of the Pre-National grid, and about 4 seconds off the front of the sportsman grid, my fellow National License holders on 130bhp plus bikes. Chuffed is an understatement, I’ve never felt so comfortable going so fast! The R6 is a delight, geometry and handling is brilliant; what a screamer!
Qualifying on Saturday morning shaved off 2.5 seconds of my testing time, it was my first time out on the Michelin Power Cup 2s and felt rapid. Changed them myself too! I was pulling 1:16.5s and happy. I was at the back of the grid for Race 1 but grinning from ear to ear, so good to see those lights go out and join the joyous, roaring hoard of bikes into Redgate. The pack pulled away but I had a sensible battle with a 130bhp Triumph 675 and managed a 1.16, delighted!
Sunday had 2 races and I tried lowering a tooth on the rear, running 14 46. Perfect set up for the track and shaved off almost another second, again battling at the bike but making time for running my lines as best I could. I think I actually got Redgate right for once and learned how to really drive down Hollywood, what a corner!
Race 3 didn’t quite go to plan. I tried lowering a tooth again, running 14 45 but never got up to speed to try it out. The race pace off the line was slow and it felt like the pack was cruising. I was almost queuing at the back, waiting for the space to improve my PB as I wanted to keep my bike tidy for the military race. As I entered Coppice, the front tyre washed out from underneath me and BAM, I sliding off the track and enjoying the blue green blue gravel washing machine.
Gutted was an understatement - I shouldn’t be crashing like that! Fortunately my Knox Armour gear did its job, slightly bruised knuckle and a bit of whiplash but otherwise all good! Why did I crash? My front tyre was 45 laps old and perhaps that was too much. Tyre pressures were right. More analysis due!
Panic stations for the military race! Bike was stripped, front instrument cluster replaced, new screen, magic red gaffa tape everywhere, brakes bled, new reservoir fitted - I was getting it fitted right up to the last minutes before the military race. I had qualified 5th on the grid but I just let my position slip back as I’d lost trust in the front of the bike - kept her steady and the right way up and brought her home. Race weekend 1 nipped - roll on Oulton Park! As always, thanks for the pap Colin Port!
