Friday Test Day

In spite of inclement weather Nick Roake, Darren Jones and Tony Jimenez took to the track for some much needed time on the bike. None of the boys had done any riding for quite a while. The bike has had a few little tweaks since last raced and was performing well. At the end of the day Tony pronounced himself happy with the progress made by the riders and bike.

Saturday Qualifying

Unusually it was a 1hr 15min. qualifying session with the fastest lap to count instead of the usual combined times of all 3 riders. Conditions were dry amazingly and The Team qualified 4th on the grid and 1st 600 with a 1min 3sec.lap.

Sunday Race Day

Nick and Tony opted to do morning warm-up while Darren took the more relaxed approach in his smoking jacket and slippers. The bike was setup perfectly, we were ready to race!

The Race

We were pondering choice of tyres when the heavens opened, no brainer Pirelli wets it was to be. It was also decided that young Nick Roake would start the race as Tony Jimenez is known for checking mirrors, indicating and then manoeuvring while Darren Jones runs like a girl....his description.

The flag drops and Nick gets off to a fantastic start and is up to 2nd. After a couple of laps Nick drops back to 3rd but there is no shame as the 2 bikes ahead are 1000s. After awhile Nick is being challenged by another youngster, Jonathon Railton on the Ducks X bike. It was formation racing with both bikes making the most glorious sound. After awhile Ducks X pulled away but this is where Nicks maturity showed by letting the other team go instead of getting into a massive battle (Tony was relieved).

Nick left it a couple of laps then reeled Ducks X back in and passed them. After the 1st hour MOORES RACING were leading the race but this was artificial as all the front runners had pitted. 1hr 7mins and Nick pits to hand over to Tony Jimenez, problems with a front wheel change dropped us down the order to 5th place. Tony had a fairly trouble free run moving us back to 3rd but was having real problems with arm pump and was in agony and asked to come back in after 50mins....problem with his leathers that hasn't happened before.

A straight forward rider change and refuel saw Darren Jones out for his 1st stint and absolutely flying. Apart from the hairpin being under 5 inches of water the track was bone dry. Darren again took us back to 3rd place after us losing 2 places for pitting. It was Nicks turn again and he went even quicker in this session but the front 2 teams had quite a lead on us now so unless they had problems it was going to be very tough to get on terms with them, especially as they were both 1000 machines. Nick pitted and the crew did there usual brilliant job to get Tony out ASAP.

Kawasaki Newcastle were beginning to push on but Tony managed to keep the gap to 2 laps riding smoothly. Darren was out next and was told to just enjoy himself, which he did passing both the leading teams in front but it was to much to ask of anybody to close the gap entirely. With a splash and dash Nick took the final 20 minutes and was told by Dave Jackson (race day manager) to bring it home.....which he did finally finishing 3rd and 1st in class.

"What a race, what a team" is what Tony Jimenez said afterwards, well delighted with his team and two new recruits.

Next race is the Snetterton 8 hour on bank holiday Monday August the 27th when both Jim Agombar and Mike Eglington will be back again racing with Tony Jimenez For MOORES RACING 42.