Unfortunately things in Ireland didn't go to plan. I got up around 8 in the morning after one of the worse nights sleeps in ages. Couldn't understand why it was so bad i was creamed crackered.
I soon realised how valuable Stevie Christian really is. I was running around like a headless chicken. I was signing on one min, scrutineering another, then having breakfast. Put like this it dont sound much but on your own it seemed a lot to do.
Around 11 ish as promised, my cousins, Jonathan and Richard Farley turned up to offer their support. Infact when they did turn up there was nothing left to do except go and watch the bikes. It was a while before i was out.
We watched at last years spot the last corner on the track. Nothing special happened. While watch the newcomers going round i realised there was a few last things to do before heading out.
I sat in the holding area with Johnny and like last year it was like they were waiting for the 'R' (rain) to come. Obviously they weren't, but it felt like it when all you could see was this huge black cloud coming in.
We finally got going, I took it steady for the first lap while i remember my way around and checked out where the wet patched were. Good job i did, because at the end of the Flying Kilo, a corner at the end of a very long straight, it was soaking wet. Infact all the way to Leathemstown it was wet. Then from there it was dry. It was wet where youd expect it to be dry and dry where you'd expect it to be wet. Only in N. Ireland.
Once i knew what the crack was i started to increase my speed. Good job and all, as the weather was starting to come in. The first 2 laps around Deers Leap was dry, after that it was soaking. Not very nice on a corner that requires big, you know, committment.
On the 4th lap or so I caught up with John Crellin and after a scary lap following him i thought it was time to pass him, which i did coming down from deers leap. I managed to stay ahead for a little while, but coming into Wheeler's Corner i got on the gas and the bike lost all drive. it just sort of went 'wer wer wer' i first thought that the back wheel was spinning up. But i seemed to have no drive. I looked back there was no smoke, no noises, i tried the gas again and the same happened 'wer wer wer'. I then thought have i ripped all the teeth off the sprocket. I dont know it could happen. 'wer wer wer' Maybe its dirty fuel, or a spark plug gone or HT lead. I put my hand up to let the others know and made my way back to the pits.
Once back at KaKa Race HQ, i started the bike again to show the boys what the bike was doing when Johnny screamed
stop and there it was, a hole in the casing.
My world fell in. The UGP was over and the bike might be dead.
Dear God.................
With nothing else to do we got on the lash and i drowned me sorrows.
We had a good night actually.
Next day we loaded the van and watched the racing. As it turned out, it was to be the only racing at this years UGP, as Sat was cancelled due to bad weather. I must admit i found a cracking place to watch, Flowbog. If you ever go and watch, i recommend.
Fingers crossed i get her fixed in time for the Manx.
airtimebill
