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EAST FORTUNE 19/20 MAY 2007

Seems like only yesterday I posted out the last report but here we are with another meeting under our belts. We took off for East Fortune on Friday night into a fine headwind for the lorry. Arrived to find a helpful band ready to help put up another new awning! This time it was tied to everything in sight (Jenny is now a master at trucker’s knots – thanks Ian and Liddel for the lesson). Saturday morning we checked over the sidecar to make sure everything had been put back in place properly after the engine change. Ready to go! Unfortunately the weather had other ideas. The sun was shining but the wind was also gusting strongly across the old airfield. The North East Motorcycle Racing Club sent test riders out from each class to report on track conditions. Eventually they had to make a decision to cancel at 3pm as the side winds were just too dangerous. Thankfully the awning stayed put throughout the gales.

The winds died down overnight and Sunday arrived in glorious sunshine. The race organisers had promised to make up for Saturday by trying to fit in 3 races for each class which was no mean feat. Practice and qualifying were combined. This was the first test for the new engine. At the end of the 10 minutes it was running hot. We must have had an air lock in the cooling system. There wasn’t much time to get it sorted out but a crack team (thanks to you all – there were too many to list!) were on hand to get it worked out and it was ready to go for the first race.

Got off to a good start in race one. Sidecar #99 (also our awning helpers!) were closest matched in lap times in qualifying and could have given us a potential scrap but had blown another motor. We were in a bit of a no mans land between the super fast Euro cup contenders in front and the club racers. However, we managed to match our best lap time from 2006 of 1m 10s, 2-3 secs/lap quicker than the April meeting and came in 9th with no more overheating problems. With a slight adjustment to the clutch free play during the lunch break (thanks Geoff and Davie) we were raring to go. The second race came round quickly thanks to the efficiency of the race organisers. With a better clutch we got a good start and lapped consistently at 1m 10s. This time we came in 6th. The afternoon was flying in. With the Douglas Racing support crew of Carol, Rhys and Bob having everything under control there was time to catch up with passing spectators, Frank a fellow para and Dougy our website man.

We were delighted to get a third race, although, getting near the end of the programme, we struggled to squeeze the sidecars past the vans already queuing in pit lane to leave the circuit ?. Another cracking start and we were off. We kept to the pace of 1m 10s /lap and finished 6th again. This actually made us 3rd F1 home - low and behold we picked up our very first trophies!

Our first trophies

It’s great to be able to write good news. Apart from the weather on Saturday, which is outwith all our control, we had an excellent. Thanks to all those who came along to help out and support we are very grateful. Perhaps should make mention of Bob, now ‘transport manager’, who had his maiden voyage driving the lorry home. We made it safe and sound, thanks.

Bob's bus

We have some work to do on the brakes again before Knockhill on 3rd June. We have decided to alter the bias a little as it seems to be upsetting the handling a little at its current setting. Hope to see you there.

Finally, we wish neighbour, Annette Munro, good luck with her parachute jump next weekend at Auchterarder. She is raising money for Multiple Sclerosis and Douglas Racing. Perhaps we will get some photos of it?! If you would like to sponsor her drop her an email: suzukiflash@aol.com

Best wishes to you all

Kerr and Jen

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