Donington Park 12th-13th April 2014

Photo courtesy of The Bike Insurer

I felt quite confident going into the second round of the championship at Donington Park. We had previously taken part in the BSB test day there at the beginning of April, as we knew that Thundersport would not be holding its own test, and I felt to have made some good progress throughout the day.  I left the circuit eagerly anticipating the race weekend.

We went straight out into a 15-minute qualifying session on Saturday. As we had no track time before this, I knew that I had to get up to speed as quickly as possible. However, I encountered a problem with my gear selector on the first lap and had to come into the pits straight away. Alan quickly rectified the problem and I set off back onto the track. It took a couple of laps to get heat back into my tyres and then I put one flying lap in. A red flag was put out as I completed this lap, as somebody had dropped oil going into the first corner. I was disappointed that I hadn’t managed a faster time but ended up 8th fastest overall.

This qualification meant that I would have to push myself to get up front for the first race. Fortunately, I got a really good start and moved up into 4^th by turn one. I managed to hang onto the back of the leading trio for the first lap but they slowly started to pull a gap on me. The race got red flagged on the fourth lap, which meant that we had to restart. I didn’t get a good start when the race restarted and I was 8^th by the end of the first lap. I slowly picked my way through and, by lap 3, I was in 6^th behind Dan Stewart and Michael Neeves. With three laps to go, I made a move on Neeves and passed him going into the Melbourne loop. The following lap I passed Stewart going into Goddards. I pulled a one second gap straight away and finished the GP1 race in 4^th overall and 2^nd in the Superstock race.

I was still quite disappointed with my performance on the first day, so I decided to walk the track that evening with Alan to see if I could do some things differently. I found that this walk worked wonders and I felt a lot happier going into the second day of racing.

The mega laps system meant that I was pushed up to 6^th on the grid for races on Sunday. Again, I got a good start in the second race and had a good first turn. I got into third, behind John Ingram and Neeves, but Danny Murphy soon passed me into Coppice. On lap three, I slipped up the inside of Neeves at the Old Hairpin and got my head down to try to catch Murphy and Ingram. However, they were just a bit too far away.

With three laps to go, we were onto the back markers and I tried to sneak up inside of one into the Foggy Esses but he closed the door. This allowed Phil Crowe to take the drive and pass me on the run down to the Melbourne Loop. We were closing in on Murphy on the last lap but he had a massive crash going down the back straight. Luckily, he got away with it relatively unscathed. I finished the second race in 3^rd overall and 2^nd in the Superstock race. I also bettered my lap time by over a second to 1.34.5.

Photo courtesy of The Bike Insurer

I had a reasonable start going into race three and didn’t lose a place on the opening lap. However, by lap three, I was suffering from really bad brake fade and I didn’t have the confidence to make any moves on the brakes. I slipped down to 6^th place when Michael Pearson passed me and then Barry Teasdale got me into turn one. We had a little scrap but he also started to have brake issues and I managed to get him into the Foggy Esses. The last lap flag came out and I made one last ditch effort to get into 5^th. I got the run on Neeves out of the Esses and block passed him into the Loop. I ended up 5^th overall and 2^nd again in the Superstock race. It wasn’t the end to the weekend that I wanted but I was happy to bring home 5^th with the issue that we had.

Overall, it was a difficult weekend at times but we learned a lot and I am once again feeling very confident for the third round at Snetterton in three weeks time. I’d like to thank the whole team for all the hard work they put in and also to all of my sponsors who continue to make this possible.

Roll on Snett!

Brands Hatch 7th-9th March 2014

Following a great week of testing out in Spain on board the ZX10 in January, I eagerly anticipated the first round of the season. I had no idea how I would perform or whether my shoulder injury would impede me, but I did know that I could not wait to get back out on track. It had been a long year and I was so excited to be racing once again.

The first sessions of the weekend are always part of a test day on the Friday. Since our return from Cartagena, I have learnt to really evaluate the track and my own actions when riding the bike. This influenced my decision to spend the day learning, rather than aimlessly trying to set the fastest time I possibly could. The bike actually felt pretty good from the word go, so I spent most of the day getting used to it and improving my lines. As we approached the last session of the day, we stuck a new set of tyres on and went out to put a few hard laps in. The bike felt brilliant and my times were good, so I was confident with myself and the team for the qualifying session.

The following day, we prepared for qualifying. I tried to get out first so I could get a clear track. My tyres were fresh, so I really wanted to set a good time. However, within a lap I came across a lot of traffic and I struggled to get a clear lap in. I then came into the pits in an attempt to find a bit of space. I went back out on track and got a slightly clearer lap, but not enough to set a faster time. I finished the session 6^th fastest and would then start 6^th on the grid for the first race.

Race one took place later that day. Admittedly, I got a really bad start and got boxed in going into Paddock Hill Bend. I had dropped back but by the end of the lap, I had climbed up to 8^th position – I still had a lot of work to do! By half distance, I got up to 5^th place but Murphy and Waghorn were seconds ahead of me. I got my head down and with three laps to go, I was on them. Straight away I made my move on Waghorn, going into Paddock Hill, but he quickly got me back going into Druids. The last lap flag was shown and I wasn’t close enough to make the same move again, so I had to come up with another plan. I focused on getting a good drive out of Clearways and immediately rode round the outside of him. I even managed to cut to the inside and pip Murphy to the line. I was over the moon to have finished 3^rd overall in the GP1 race and 2^nd in the Superstock class in my first proper race in over a year. Also, due to the mega laps system, I got the 4^th fastest lap time. This meant that I would start Sunday’s races from 4^th position on the grid.

We woke on Sunday morning to the most beautiful weather and the track temperature was up. I practiced my start at the end of morning warm-up and I am so glad that I did. As the second race commenced, I got a great start off the line. Being on the outside of the track made my run into turn one a whole lot easier and I was in third place going into Druids. The bike had developed a bit of chatter on the front end, so I didn’t have the confidence to attempt to keep up with Crowe and McNealy. On the 3^rd lap, Crowe lost the front going into Paddock Hall Bend and unfortunately took a big tumble into the gravel. Luckily, he walked away but it did promote me into second place. Murphy hounded me all race but I managed to hold him off to the end. I came away with another great result; 2^nd in both classes and crucially, more solid points.

Race three was the last race of the weekend. After talking to Alan, our team mechanic, we made some changes to the front end to hopefully get rid of the chatter I suffered from in race two. Again, I got a great start and I was third going into Paddock Hill, behind Murphy and McNealy. I got a good run up to Druids and managed to ride round the outside of Murphy. I had far more confidence in the front end, so I got my head down and tried to get onto the back of McNealy. I got within a quarter of a second of him but I couldn’t get quite close enough to make a move. Unfortunately, I struggled to chase him towards the end of the race, due to back markers, and he managed to pull a second away from me. McNealy won the race and I again came 2^nd in both races.

I was extremely happy with how the weekend went. I left Brands Hatch confident with my results, as I am now second in both the GP1 and Superstock championships. If you would have told me at the start of the weekend how well I would do, I wouldn’t have believed you. I would just like to say a massive thank you to the whole a.l.joinery racing team for providing me with an amazing bike, excellent help and the whole opportunity. I would also like to thank all of my personal sponsors; Seadrift, FSC Engineering, QC Engineering & Design, DPC Distribution, Premier Helmets, Oaksmith Construction, Paintzfiction, ProBikeART and everyone else who has made this season possible!

Roll on Donnington Park next month!!

Thank you to Peter Wileman photography, Johny Wills and The Bike Insurer for the pictures.

Mallory Park 29th September 2013

It's been almost a year since my last blog post and I can finally give you some feedback regarding my recovery process!

As you probably know, I suffered a nasty injury at Cadwell Park back in February this year. After going through a lot of pain, I was airlifted to Lincoln hospital where I was told that I had dislocated my right shoulder. However, I crashed at such speed that the rotor cuff tendons had been torn away. This is what has put me out of racing for the year - it requires an extensive recovery time! Had it been a simple dislocation, I probably would have been straight back on a bike!

     I have since had surgery to repair my shoulder and have been attending regular physiotherapy sessions over in Lincoln. A lot of time is required to fix a shoulder as damaged as it was but now, seven months later, I finally feel confident and fit enough to get back on a race bike.

Over the past couple of months, I have been attending the odd track day to ease myself back into the whole process. At first, I really struggled to ride a bike and could barely reach the handlebars in some instances. However, as my movement came back, I started to find it easier. I am still not 100% but I am sure I can get there before the beginning of next season.

This weekend, I attended the Thundersport GB round at Mallory Park. Originally a three day meeting, Thundersport decided to support Mallory Park in their dispute with local authorities and rescheduled a one-day event. This was to comply with new rules which dictate that the circuit can only operate on Wednesdays and Sundays. To their credit, the Thundersport team managed to condense a full weekend of racing into one day and still make it a spectacle.

My last race meeting was at this very circuit, where I was crowned champion of the Superstock 1000 class. However this time round, I swapped the orange, white and purple colours of the Knight Road Race Team for the orange, white and black of team a.l.joinery. After a year out of racing, I made the hard decision to leave the KRR Team. At the time, I was fully convinced that I would never race again. But as my circumstances changed, Andy Barker offered me the exciting opportunity to ride his bike for the team.

I was joined by young Jordan Rushby on a 600 as I embarked on my first race back in the GP1s. I have to admit that I was slightly nervous about racing again but as the day progressed, everything came flooding back to me. The team were fantastic and provided me with everything I could've wanted. It really was an enjoyable day and something that I look forward to repeating in the future.

The bike was a joy to ride and I finished the first race in 9th and the second in 3rd. I am still over the moon that I could reward the team with a trophy for my first meeting back and it has also done wonders for my confidence! I have spent months speculating about my ability to race so it is nice to know that I could be as competitive as I once was.

I would like to take the opportunity to thank my sponsors for everything they had done for me last year to help me win the championship and also those who were prepared to sponsor me again this year. Without your help, I really would not be able to race as I simply cannot afford to support myself in this sport anymore.

I also have to thank Charlotte and Alan for everything that they have done for me over the past few years. I have had my ups and downs on the Ducati (who hasn't?!) but I am extremely thankful for their investment in my racing. I loved racing the 800 and 1198 and competing in all of the brilliant races I've had as part of the KRRT. It's nice to know that we departed as champions. I wish you both all the very best for the future and I am sure that I will keep seeing you around the paddock!!

Pictures courtesy of The Bike Insurer and Glyn Richardson

Mallory Park 19th-21st October 2012

The long-awaited championship decider was finally here and the prospect of winning the championship was starting to set in. As I went well at Mallory Park earlier in the year, so I was hoping for another good run.

I went out for the first practise session on Friday, hopeful that we could get a good suspension set-up. All went well – the bike felt really good and my lap times were consistent. I came back into the paddock feeling very confident but, of course, this was short-lived. I rode out on track for the second session and felt to be running well until five minute in, when my chain snapped coming out of Devil’s Elbow. I was absolutely devastated, the bike was chugging smoke and it turned out that the chain had actually damaged the engine. At that moment in time, I was convinced that my weekend was over.

Of course, as my bad luck escalated, it was soon time for qualifying. Due to the Anglesey re-run scheduled for the Mallory Park meeting, the test day had to be cut short and qualifying resumed in its place. I was sure that my weekend couldn’t get any worse but due to sheer team determination (and a lot of running about by Charlotte), help was found in the form of Phil Crowe’s BMW.  He kindly loaned me his bike so I could go out and put in a qualifying time. Despite riding with Crowie’s settings, I somehow managed to propel myself to be the fastest Superstock rider and came 8^th on the GP1 grid overall. I cannot thank Phil enough for lending me his bike!!

By Saturday morning, my bike was miraculously fixed. My dad and Alan had stayed up pretty much all night and worked wonders on the Ducati to get it running again. I also must thank Stuart and Jo for going all the way to Coventry Ducati to get a head gasket for the bike. These combined efforts made sure that the 1198 was ready for the morning warm-up session. You cannot understand the relief I felt when I heard that Ducati start up again!

     The practise session was damp but the bike felt really good once again. I felt strong enough to go into the first race with confidence.

     As we approached the race, it was still damp but was drying rapidly. It would’ve been a gamble either way, but we branded wet tyres as the safest option for the race (and turning out to be the right choice).  I got a good start and held my position going into turn one. As we went into Edwina’s, a couple of people got past while I was trying to fight through the pack. Once I got to grips with things, I started to pick a few people off. By half race distance, I had lost the two of the leading pack and had Chris Barnes right behind me. I made the decision to let Barnes pass me as I did not want to risk an accident at such a crucial stage in the championship. Therefore, I followed him for the rest of the race. However, I had a sudden (and somewhat adrenaline-fuelled) change of heart and decided that if I was close enough, I would make a move on him on the last lap. As time was encroaching, I had a look going into the Hairpin but Barnes was very good on the brakes. As he tipped in, he lost the front and went down. Luckily, I managed to miss his bike and ended up winning the Superstock class.

The second race of the day was actually the re-run of the cancelled Anglesey race. Due to some riders not making it to Mallory Park, I was promoted to second on the grid. By this time, the track was dry and I managed to get another good start. I actually led the first lap but this was also short-lived as Pete Baker came flying past me like a rocket onto the start/finish straight. I found it difficult to stay onto the back of him due to the lack of dry set-up time. The bike didn’t feel too brilliant at this point. Within the next few laps, Ian Mackman, Mike Dickinson and Adrian Clark all passed me. I rode a somewhat lonely race but ensured that I stayed first in the Stocks for the entire duration. By the end of the race, I realised that I now had a 27 point lead over Ben Scranage and was really excited for the Sunday races. One strong result would crown me champion.

Fuelled by my success the day before, I was a lot more confident going into the next two races. Surprisingly, I wasn’t at all nervous – even though the championship was hanging on one successful finish. I went out for the third race of the weekend but of course, my tyre-warmer packed up. Annoyingly, I had to take it steady for a couple of laps to manually heat the tyres.  After a couple of laps, I gained confidence in the tyres. I started picking people off and by lap five, I managed to get onto the back of the dice for the Superstock win. At this point, it was between Barnes and Matt Shellcock. With five laps to go, I passed Shellcock and was figuring out how to get past Barnes. However, Shellcock wasn’t giving up without a fight and pulled a good move on me into Gerrards. I was more than happy to settle for third at this point as I would still win the title. However, I soon decided against this and decided that if I was going to win the championship, I’d win it coming first. I passed Shellcock into Edwinas and then going into the Hairpin, I broke as hard as I could and managed to get in front of Barnes. The ending result: I won the race and also won the championship. I was absolutely over the moon.

Race four had no significance for the championship so, as a team, we decided to use it to test for next year. I put on a set of Dunlop slicks which made me solely eligible for the GP1 class. It took me a couple of laps to get used to them but once I got my head round them, I managed to work my way through the pack. With two laps to go, I passed Barnes by pulling the same move I had done in the previous race, which is a mighty testament to the Ducati’s brakes. I finished 8^th overall in the race and was very happy with the tyres. I have gained confidence going into next year already as I am closer to knowing how to make them work.

I’d like to give a massive thanks to everyone who has helped me this year to make winning the championship possible. Thank you to all of my sponsors: Design Corse, Putoline UK, Stylmartin, Premier Helmets, Holroyd, Motoretta, FSC Engineering, Oxford Products and WM Snell and QC Engineering and Design. I could not have done this without your help. Also like to thank Steve at Morello for all the help and advice he’s given me throughout the year.

There are many people to thank – including Alan and Charlotte for the hard work and hours they’ve put in to make a championship-winning bike; my mum and dad for the continuing support and everything they’ve done for me; Louise for doing everything else and Chris Moore for his significant help in sorting my suspension. Without them, I literally would be nowhere.

Also like to send out my biggest wishes to Mike and Sara Dickinson for their move out to Spain. It has been a pleasure racing competitively with Mike this year and all the advice he has given me. I wish them all the best luck for the future and hope to see them again soon.

Cadwell Park 21st-23rd September 2012

Cadwell Park was to be one of the most exciting and important rounds of the Thundersport GB calendar thus far. Without realising it, the championship would all change in a matter of days.

We turned up at Cadwell Park with all intentions to have fun. I believed in myself that I could do well in the GP1 class, so there was no need to settle with just a good Superstock position. The pressures of the championship title would become too much if I focused all of my attentions on it.

On the Friday test day, we were allowed four practise sessions for our eventual qualifying session later that day. The weather played a big part as it was, of course, raining. Our saviour Chris came along and thankfully managed to give me a great wet set-up, so I was confident going into qualifying.


     I went out into the qualifying session and found some clear track. I got my head down and started to string a few laps together, in the hope of putting in a fast time. Mike Dickinson flew past me going into turn one, so I tried to tag onto the back of him. However, I was suffering from a really bad, misty visor and was forced to come into the pit lane. By the time I had wiped my visor clean and got back onto the track, the two minute board was displayed and I, unfortunately, came back round to the chequered flag. When I came back to the awning, I realised that I was the fifth fastest in the GP1 class and the overall quickest out of the Stocks. To be honest, I wasn't entirely happy as I really thought that I could have got a front-row position.


Typical English weather meant that switched from the rain on the Friday to glorious sun on the Saturday. However, the air was still cold and the damp patches through the wooded area had not dried-up.
     The first race of the weekend was declared as 'dry', so I had to make a tyre change. I felt to have got a good start off the second row and moved up to 3rd as we went into turn one. Although I didn't have the best of opening laps as Baker, Dickinson, Barnes and Kneen all came passed me. By the second lap, I had got myself together and started reeling them back in. By lap three, I had managed to pass Barnes and was hanging onto the back of the leading bunch. I had caught them so quickly, in such a small amount of time, that I felt I was confident enough to get up the front. However, I tempted fate by losing the front going into the Hairpin on lap three and unfortunately took out Phil Crowe in the process. I wouldn't count it as one of my finest hours but luckily my dad and Alan had the rest of the day to piece my bike back together.
     On a positive note, I managed to set the sixth fastest time by the mega laps despite only completing one flying lap. Starting sixth on the grid was very good considering my crash.

I eagerly woke up on Sunday morning to yet (surprisingly) more sun. I was a bit anxious going out into the warm-up session as I had to check that all was OK with the bike after my fall on Saturday. Everything was fine apart from the small matter that my quick shifter was not working and there was nothing that we could do about it. Therefore, I had to change to the 'old-fashioned way'.
     Thanks to Alan putting a new clutch in the bike, I managed to get a good start for race two. I was fourth into the first corner and felt extremely comfortable from the start. I managed to get onto the back of Craig Beggs and followed him for a few laps. I then made my move as we were going into Mansfield. My next rival, Dan Kneen, was a couple of seconds up the road, so I got my head down to catch him. Within a couple of laps, I had done just that. I managed to get passed him straight away on the brakes going into Park. That pushed me up to second position in the GP1 class, which was a great feeling. My next challenge was to try to catch Dickinson, as he was starting to break away. I managed to drop Kneen and did catch up to Mike but I knew that I didn't have enough rear tyre to pass him straight away. I decided to follow him to conserve my tyre and try to catch him in the last couple of laps. However, this allowed Kneen to catch up again. With two laps to go, Kneen tried to pull the same move I made on him into Park but luckily, he ran wide and I caught him back. Therefore, everything came into play on the last lap. I knew that if I got good drive going onto Park straight, I could out-brake Dickinson. My plan was short-lived as I lost the rear coming onto the straight and nearly high-sided, sending Kneen flying past me. I managed to get the run on Kneen round Chris Curve and went round the outside of him into the Gooseneck and thankfully made it stick. Coming out of the Chicane, I was right on the back of Mike but he covered the inside line well. I had no choice but to attempt going round the outside of him on the left to gain the inside on the right. I pulled off but lost my drive going over the Mountain. Myself, Dickinson and Kneen all jumped the Mountain together but they had both managed to pass me. When Kneen made his move on me, he was left with no room and took to the grass - going down in the process. It was an intense battle between myself and Mike to see who would go over the line first.
     Mike, being the great rider he is, defended his lines very well so I was unable to pass him. I ended up with a respectable second place in the GP1 class and overall winner of the Superstocks - with over a 16 second lead. I smashed my old lap record by setting a new 1.32.414.
     This race put me into the lead of the Superstock 1000 championship for the first time all season, as Scranage unfortunately crashed out of the race.

Following my success of race two, I felt to be absolutely buzzing for the third race. Between this time, there was a little rain shower but all was declared fully dry by the time I went out. Again, I got a good start and lead my row off the line - slotting into fourth position into the first turn. Dickinson lead, followed by Kneen and Beggs. We pretty much held our positions the entire race and I did not dare push like I had done in race two. For the first time, I actually thought about what would be best for the championship. I finished the race in a still respectable fourth place in GP1 and first in the Stock race; again by over 20 seconds from Barnes and Robinson.
     Ben Scranage finished fourth in the Superstock race, which has given me a 13 point lead going into the final round at Mallory Park. It was an up and down weekend but we most definitely left on a high. I would just like to give massive thanks to Alan, Charlotte, Mum & Dad, Louise, Chris and all of my sponsors. I wouldn't be here if it I didn't the help from any of you. Roll on Mallory in a few weeks time!!

Photos by the The Bike Insurer

Anglesey 25th-27th August 2012

I went out into the qualifying sessions confident that I could be up there. However, as I was going round the track I could feel the rear-end sliding. I came into pitlane and Chris made some quick changes to the bike.

We set-off for the Demon Tweekes Welsh Prix at Anglesey race circuit early Saturday morning. We knew that the weather would be unpredictable, so it was vital that we worked with Chris to secure a good dry and wet set-up.This Thundersport GB round was different from the rest as there were to be two additional prize-winning races, sponsored by Demon Tweekes, on the Monday. As this race would consist of a mixture of new and existing GP1 and 600 Sportsman Elite competitors, it was important for me to maintain a fast pace in order to even qualify for these races.


As it was a bank holiday weekend, Saturday was ultimately the official track day. We worked hard all day, in all sessions, to sort a good race set-up for qualifying.
Out of 40, I qualified 8th on the grid. I was a bit disappointed as I would have liked to have been higher but the competition was so strong that I couldn't go any faster. I had in mind that, if I could get a good start, I would be able to stay with the front-runners in the first race.

Sunday would be the first of the weekend's race days. As there were to be two additional races on Monday, Thundersport had scheduled two championship races on the Sunday.
    I set the fastest lap in the morning warm-up, so I was excited to be going into the first race. I got an average start to the race but rode hard on the first lap and I got up to 6th place. Going into Rocket, I managed to get under David Jones and then got my head down to catch the front-runners. At the end of lap two, Peter Baker and Sam Hornsey had a coming together and both came off, which promoted me up to 3rd in the GP1 race. The bike didn't feel 100% so I had to push really hard to get onto the back of David Haire. I saw that Ben Scranage, my main championship rival, had fallen off so I decided not to risk passing Haire. Overall, I finished 3rd in GP1 and 1st in the stock class, which I was over the moon about.

Setting off on race two, I got a reasonably good start and by the end of the first lap, I had got up to 5th. I got stuck behind Haire and could see the leaders getting away. Unfortunately, it took me four laps to pass Haire and by that time, the leaders were a couple of seconds up the road. I knew that I would struggle to catch them, so once I had put a second into Haire, I made sure the gap stayed the same and finished 4th in GP1. I also secured first in the Stock1000 class, which was my 8th consecutive win of the season. I also secured the new Stock lap record around Anglesey, with a time of 1.09.642, which I was really happy with.
     Taking the 'megalaps' into account, I managed to promote myself to 6th on the grid for the Monday races.

Over the night, the circuit experienced severe wind and torrential rain. Unfortunately, this continued into the morning and was set to worsen by midday. Therefore, the Thundersport GB officials took the right decision to declare that there would be no racing. Aside from the Demon Tweekes races, there was only one championship race that was missed (to be set at a later date).

As always, I'd like to thank Alan and Charlotte, my mum and dad, Louise, Chris Moore, Rob Webb for buying me a set of tyres, Alex Hutchinson and Acea Webb for their kind donation of knee sliders and all of my sponsors for getting me there and making this championship challenge possible. I have narrowed the points difference between myself and Scranage to 11, so all's to play for at Cadwell Park next month!

All photos provided by the Bike Insurer

ThundersportGB iPlayer - Snetterton

The Morello Services GP1/Stock1000 races from Snetterton are now available to view on the Thundersport iPlayer!