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2003 Season Review |
Having done a few track days during 2002, I decided to give racing a try and during the back end of 2002 I bought a 1991 Honda VFR 400 NC30 to prepare for my first season in 2003. Having been to a few club meetings, I found that out of all of them North Gloucester Road Racing Club was probably the friendliest bunch of people you could meet, so I decided to join and began to ready myself and the bike for the start of the 2003 season.
The first race of the season was at the club's regular circuit of Pembrey and as you would expect, that first experience was full of both fear and excitement at what lay ahead. Right from the moment of settling down in the paddock for the weekend, through scrutineering for the first time, signing on and then onto the nerve wrecking grid line up, it was an experience that was both stomach churning and adrenaline pumping at the same time!
In that first race, I was gridded 23rd and achieved a 21st place (from 39 starters). That was to be the best result of the weekend in the Formula 400 class, but things faired a little better in the Novice 400 and I managed 11th place in both the Saturday and Sunday races. Not exactly impressive results, but more importantly I managed the #1 objective of the weekend, which was to stay on the bike!
The next meeting was at the superb Hampshire circuit of Thruxton. Steeped in history and renowned for being the fastest circuit in the country, this was a superb chance to race at a great venue and enjoy the atmosphere (although I have to admit to being a bit overwhelmed!). It also gave the opportunity to try a few chassis modifications for the first time (increased the rear ride height and fitted some much needed rearsets) and whilst these mods may have been subtle, they gave me a huge confidence. Riding the circuit itself was a fantastic experience and a lot of things clicked together that weekend, allowing me to score my first points finish in the Formula 400 class (14th place = 2 points).
Thruxton was not just about managing to score a couple of points, though. More significantly, I set myself a new ambition for the season to at least finish in the points and wherever possible, achieve a top 10 Formula 400 finish. The finishing in the points was achieved for the rest of the season except for rounds at Keevil in April and Donington Park in July, though the top 10 finishes were a bit more scarce than I would have liked!
The highlight of the 2003 season was the Darley Moor meeting on the weekend of the 28/29th June. Not having ridden it before, it was not a circuit I would have immediately said would be a favourite for me, but I took to the simple layout and was pleased to come away with a decent points score in the Formula 400 and better still a 4th place Novice on Saturday and a 3rd on Sunday.....my first podium place and my first (and only so far!) bit of silverware. I was absolutely delighted!
As well as NGRRC club meetings, I also managed some Bemsee meetings at Cadwell Park. The best results achieved there were a credible 14th place in the Supersport 400, 6th place in Rookie 400 and 8th in the Clubman 400.
Some pictures from the 2003 season are shown below.
Novice 400 race at Darley Moor Saturday 28th June 2003. I finished this race in 4th place.
On my way to third place in the Novice 400 at Darley Moor 29th June 2003
Leading the chasing pack out of Hatchetts Hairpin at Pembrey in the Novice 400 race Sunday 21st September 2003. I eventually finished the race 6th having already wrapped up 4th in the championship the previous day.
This is me going over the Mountain at Cadwell Park in a Bemsee SS400 race in August 2003. A favourite photo of mine!