Brands Hatch testing, 27 February

OK, I can't hold my tongue any longer! Settle down; this may be a long post.

After a test ride on a Metrakit GP80 at the end of last year, the decision was taken to move Rowan up to 'proper' club racing for 2008. The bike was bought, stripped to its component parts and rebuilt using much care and attention. Meanwhile, a STOMP 110FX was also bought so Row could practice and race at the local gokart track. Rowan proceeded to win every race entered on the little pit bike, running out an easy winner of the 2007 Junior pitbike winter championship.

Over the winter we had a good look at what we could do for 2008 in terms of clubs and tracks that we could run at. This ended with an email exchange with BEMSEE concerning the MK80 and the Superteens class they run in the MRO, the upshot being that we were invited to their novice day at Brands Hatch where they would assess Row and the 80 with a view to allowing them to run. Meanwhile, Row had been to ACU House and completed his CTC course. After a review by the ACU (because of his age), he was granted a novice licence for 2008.

So, on 24 Feb we turned up at a cold but sunny Brands Hatch for Row to have his first ride on the newly rebuilt 80. Following the necessary admin, Row's group was called, under strict instructions NOT to pass the instructor! 15 mins later Row comes back into the garage.

"No probs Dad. That bloody instructor is going well slow!" The instructor comes into the garage to explain what he wants to do during the next session, which goes much the same a session 1, with the instructor waving each of the boys past, following them for a lap then waving the next one on and so on. They are still under instructions to 'take it easy'.

For the third session the instructor tells Row and Luke (another 80 rider there for the same purpose) that they can go on ahead whilst he works with some of the other boys. Row and Luke go out and within two laps are having a right old ding dong which culminates with Row riding around the outside of Luke into Surtees! The instructor catches them up and signals for them to cool it but after a couple of laps they have speeded up again, prompting another bollocking!

Back in the pits, the instructor gathers Luke and Row together. "I know you want to race and I can see that you two can ride a bit but just take it easy OK?"

For the next session, Row and Luke are pretty much left to their own devices. The pair of them catch the next group and pass them during the session! Next is a practice start session. Row bangs in three quick starts. It's good to see he's lost none of his hole shot ability.

Finally, the track was opened to the ACU licence holders (most of the riders were applying for their race licenses that day) Row manages to get a full 20 minute session in without any restrictions and during this time he knocks huge lumps off of his previous lap times and ends up banging in laps of 1:03 (don't know what a good time is for an 80 because no one has ever used one here).

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During the day we have a constant stream of visitors to the garage, including the BMCRC officials who are mightily impressed with both Row and the bike. We are told that there will be no problem with us running the 80 in the Superteens for 2008. RESULT. This means that 2008 will see Rowan competing in the MRO Superteens Challenge! Selected rounds are televised on MOTORS TV, more than we ever thought of at this point in his career. Rowan has also had his first media interview which should appear soon in BSN and the MRO media packs.

We will also be doing selected rounds of North Gloucester, and EMRA (Mallory Park) and we have been invited to Mallory Park for Friday's Thundersport EMRA test day as the Thundersport Club is interested in seeing the 80cc bikes.

We would like to thank the following for their continued support during the winter and into 2008.

The Tuning Works for brake lines, titanium and alloy bolts, alloy radiators.

KBC Helmets who supply Row's helmets and accessories.

Oberon Engineering for Delrin crash protection footrests, stand bobbins, etc.

Scott Leathers for supplying Rowan's 2008 leathers and a premium price.

That just leaves us with about £8000 to find to be able to complete the season! All donations gratefully received!

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