UPDATE - Monday 25th September
2006
WOW, What a weekend! Steve did us proud.
Saturday turned out to be a great day; the weather was on
our side we had temperatures at Cadwell Park touching 28°.
Steve was in race 4 and race 10.
As the time came for Steve to proceed to the starting grid
every one in the team was anxious and both excited as he had
not been on his bike for 14 months, but here we were waiting
for him to get under way.
The bikes all proceeded down to the starting grid and because
Steve had no form for this year he was placed 35th on the
grid out of 38 bikes. The roar of the bikes intensified as
the starter walked backwards from the track ready to send
them off. Steve got off to a great start passing at least
20 bikes. Slowly but surely he was moving up the pack picking
other riders off in the corners and on the straights. As he
entered the 5th and final lap Steve had managed to get his
way through the pack and was the race leader. To all our surprise
and glee Steve had won his first race after a 14 month break.
Steve's second race would be race 10 on the day’s race
card after lunch.
Lunch was finished and racing resumed at race 9. We all said
to Steve "No pressure mate - Just do your best"
but race 10 was a trophy race so there was a chance of some
silverware. Because Steve had won his previous race he was
moved up the grid considerably to position number 12 again
out of 38 bikes. Steve again got a flying start and passed
a couple of bikes as he disappeared up the long sweeping left
hand bend at Cadwell. This again was a 5 lap race and sure
enough true to past performance he was picking of the bikes
and managed to get himself another FIRST place and some silverware.
As you can imagine the whole team were jumping for joy and
celebrations were in order for the rest of the day.
Sunday was a bit of a different day, the weather was a bit
cooler in the morning and the track was a slightly damp. Steve
was out in the same race numbers as Saturday, races 4 and
10.
The tension was mounting as he was called to the starting
line up and because his form was improving he was up on grid
position 9. Sunday's racing would all be 7 lap race's instead
of 5. The roar of the bikes engines from the grid was raging
as the starter moved backwards form the grid and as the flag
dropped they were off. Steve had another good start but this
time he was in among the more capable riders from the off.
Steve settled well into the race and was holding his own all
the way. Lap two and three were good clean laps then into
lap four. Steve was again leading the pack by the end of lap
5 but another bike was hot on his tail. It looked like the
Shingoi Team were on for another win. Lap six saw a change
in the race lead, but as Steve came past the club house he
managed to regain the pole position with a daring late manoeuvre.
This was all to be in vain as he exited from the final bend
to travel the fast straight past the pit lane. As Steve applied
more throttle to exit the corner he had moved of the dry line
and the back wheel started to spin up and traction was lost.
The consequences of this meant the bike was sliding. Steve
was ejected from the bike and slid across the grass with bike
following.
That was the end of the days racing for Steve and the Shingoi
Team.
We are please to say that after a quick check up at the medical
centre Steve was found to have no serious injuries just battered
and bruised. Steve was officially classed as walking wounded.
He is now nursing a few bruises and scuff on his back.
Despite all of this action Steve has vowed to return to racing
soon.
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