This was to be
my first track day after holding a full bike licence for about two
years. I had to think for a while which bike to take. Several people
tried to persuade me to take the Dart, but I'm just not as
comfortable with a left foot shift and Dart bodywork is very hard to
find replacements for. I did consider the 250, but settled for the
1977 350 Sport.
Due to one thing and another
I was late getting scrutineered and was therefore also lete getting
to the collecting area. By the time I got there it was empty and club
chairman Dave Marlow waved me straight out. Some of the more
experienced riders were meant to be leading novices round and showing
them the lines, but I had to read the track blind. We were using the
full circuit and I was about half a lap behind the pack. Although
this was my first track day on a bike, I've driven cars on circuits
before and done a bit of Karting, so I have a fair idea of the
correct lines. Once I'd blundered my way round one lap I had a fair
idea of where the track went as well and so set about upping the
pace. To my surprise I caught up with the main pack about half way
through the 20 minute session although I was lapped twice by some of
the fast riders.
By the seccond session I was
really starting to feel at home and was only getting passed once by
the fast bikes. I found I was getting better drive out of slow
corners than quite a lot of people and that I could gain ground on a
lest one of the Darts on the straights.
The last session was wet and
I initially took things very easy, joining onto the end of a train of
bikes. I quickly became frustrated at the slow pace and passed three
or four bikes and rode most of the session all on my own. I think in
the end this was the session I enjoyed the most.
The bike was perfect, never
giving me a moments concern. I could go a lot faster round Park, it's
a matter of bravery. If you think my helmet looks very big, it is.
It's a Caberg Justissimo flip front. It's a great helmet on the road,
but rather bulky for track use.
I shall be back in 2006!
