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[Chuffster]

Well it was testing at Lydden day!

Not that I wanted to go there but I felt that it had to be done. The ACU test day was very poorly attended I must say. Circuit was dry but there was a bitter wind blowing.

First session out, a few problems discovered. The visor kept misting up and I couldn't see properly. The gear change was too low and I couldn't change gear properly. Running around, learning the circuit. I thought someone had run over a rabbit just after the start finish straight, certainly looked like a dead body about two thirds through the session. Kind of bimbled round but seemed to hold my own quite well. Came in for the rest to find a blooming great hole in my exhaust can, that was not a rabbit, it was part of the can. Yikes! Bodged the hole up with metal tape etc, sounded ok when the bike was run up anyway.

Off for the next session, gaining in confidence and going faster and faster. Started overtaking a few peeps and then I got Black Flagged! Apparently my exhaust had fallen off. No, it had just blown through all the tape.

In I came and set about a better repair than before, virtually a whole reel of gaffe tape was used this time. Off for session 3, things were going really well until I caught a CBR600RR up. I just couldn't get past him, could get alongside at the devils elbow but he had too much grunt up the hill. Anyway, enjoyed myself and was running 48's unofficially. I had found another mini twin out there and had managed to lap whoever it was 3 times that session.

The can had got even worse, it was split about two thirds its length now and the tape was not doing very well at holding it together. Time to effect a better repair. I cunningly cut up a couple of cans from the catering department at the track and taped these up round the blowing sections of the can. Off we went, didn't even finish the first lap before the reds came out. Lairy Larry (mini twinner) had binned it coming out of the pit lane! The can was already blowing but undeterred I continued on. Amazing session, now apparently running 47's.

Came in, there was not a lot left of the baked bean cans and it was useless trying to repair anything now so I quit for the day. Time to put the Akrapovich back on.

So I had a good time, I have got the thought of doing the circuit out of my head. I ran good times, despite the weather. I now can reasonably look forward to going to Lydden again in the knowledge that I have survived and its not as bad as I thought.

Anyone reading this who was there on the day, hope you enjoyed it and I look forward to seeing you at Snetterton next week.


Links to a few snaps from the day :-

http://www.racing-line-photography.com/BZ_shop.asp?event=CE&gallery=3&image=pvly4382.jpg

http://www.racing-line-photography.com/BZ_shop.asp?event=CE&gallery=3&image=pvly4403.jpg

http://www.racing-line-photography.com/BZ_shop.asp?event=CE&gallery=3&image=pvly4411.jpg

http://www.racing-line-photography.com/BZ_shop.asp?event=CE&gallery=3&image=pvly4418.jpg

http://www.racing-line-photography.com/BZ_shop.asp?event=CE&gallery=3&image=pvly4565.jpg

http://www.racing-line-photography.com/BZ_shop.asp?event=CE&gallery=3&image=pvly4595.jpg