Spain 2022 Day 2

It was pouring with rain this morning so we couldn't ride the bikes until it cleared up. This did however give Dad chance to do some work on my bike and a big thank you to Steve Wilkinson for the loan of the carb and helping set the rear suspension on my 160.

Once the rain had cleared we did some sweeping on the track and we managed to get out and ride. This was the first time I had ridden my bike from last year with the new 140 engine in it. It was great fun and I was soon up to speed having a great time riding around the track with my friends. Today was a great day and I even got a chance to ride with some of the BritishTalent Cup Riders when they came to ride with us on the smaller track.  Thanks to Bailey Stuart-Campbell for riding with me for KSB drills, it was great fun!

A shorter day all in all but we made the most of it when we did get out on the track.  The weather is looking good for tomorrow so we're looking forward to hopefully a full day of riding. 

Spain 2022 1st Day riding

The days started off with us prepping the bikes ready for the day's activities.  Then we were taken by Paco to small track at Cartagena. We rode around this track for a while then we carried out drills riding around the doughnuts next to the small track.  Paco taught us to use the back brake to gain control of the bike into the corner.  This was really good and combined with the skills I have learnt recently flat tracking I have started to learn and practice new skills.  

We then did lots of practice starts followed by a fast lap which helped me get used to getting off the line on the new 160. We than had lunch before more drills and then the opportunity to ride out on the big track.  This was brilliant although we didn't get time to sort out the gearing properly so I think I could have been a lot faster.  It took me a while to get up to speed and after a great battle with Hudson I then managed to get onto the back of Luca and Lewis and we had a great few laps trading places.  All in on all a great day and I am looking forward to tomorrow.  Hopefully the weather will hold out as rain has been forecast.

A big thanks to everyone who had helped me get here. Mum, Fixit Motorcycle Mechanics, Ky-Jax racing, 4SR leathers and LS2 helmets.

Day 10

I had a chill day today, although still very busy.  Up to the track for 0900 to help Finlay's dad use my steering damper on Fins bike then we went to Benidorm Old Town for some R&R, before heading back to the track to load the bikes onto the lorry for the return journey. I will take this opportunity to say a big thank you to Kirk, Caroline, Becca, Brian and all the rest of the team who's names I can't remember for making this trip so good for us the organisation has been brilliant as always and you have had to deal with so much more this year we are so lucky to have you.  May I also say a big thanks to all the Marshall's you have stood out in the blazing sun all day just to keep us safe you are truly wonderful! A big thanks to the Cool-Fab racing team for all the timing, I would also like to thank Jay for the wonderful photos that have helped make this blog and keep my friends and family at home updated on my progress. The staff at the race track have also been great and hosted and assisted us in the garage as well as the café so a big thanks to you as well.  Dad and I then chilled at the hotel I had a last dip in the pool before a last evening in the wonderful company of the Dilks family and my newly made friends from Northern Ireland, I will come and watch you race the next time we are o we visitin my Nanny and Grandad C.  Finally but very importantly a big thanks to all our friends Team Johnson especially Dan who kept my bike trackside! what a legend, Ollie Hall Racing thanks for the help and birthday cake for Dad,  RDH racing and the Symsy's.  We have had a great time in your wonderful company as always.  I also need to send a big thanks to the Harris's, my friend Holly for your friendship and guidance on and off the track and congratulations on your fantastic riding and lap times out here. Ian for your unending support in helping Dad maintain and keep safe my bike and Sarah I hope you feel all your hard work on Friday nights and Saturday mornings is starting to pay off.  You have not only taught me how to ride fast but have put up with my moods and adapted how you coach to work with me thank you so much for your time, consideration and efforts it is really appreciated.  I would also like to thank my Sister's Blythe and Aebbe for their support and allowing me to take Dad away so much with the racing and to my Mum who has had to stay home working so incredibly hard just so I can be out here I love you all very much! ❤️ Lastly thanks to anyone who has taken the time to read my blog, I will keep it going on the race weekends throughout the cool-fab racing season and I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I have.  Thorley @ Rider42Racing.com

Day 9

Another hard day at the track.  We started by upping the gearing which made my bike a little faster on acceleration.  I was on it from the start and loving the speed it is all now starting to feel really natural. (Sarah can you see my head position in this photo, it has only taken a year of you nagging me, to get it right)!

I was starting to push the bike and my own limits and the drills learnt on the early Sunday mornings at M4 were starting to pay off as I was duelling with the fast group.

The second session was great and I was again battling with Josh, Blake and Ethan.

Ethan got through the pack and managed to pass me so I thought I would try and go with him all seemed to be going well and I didn't feel he was gapping me too much and then he lost the front at the bottom of the hill.  I was now back at the front and thought I will keep the same pace going.  Then just eight corners later this!

So I picked myself up got back on checked the bike was safe and the track was clear and got back on the the pace.

I quickly got back up to pace but the others were already through and out of sight.  But I am always pushing my hardest so I suppose crashes are going to happen every now and then.  I did another session in the afternoon and had a great battle with Wilson but by this time I think the last nine days were starting to show and I was tired so I told Dad I wanted to call it a day!  It's not often I give up an opportunity to ride my bike but it is not often I get this much riding in such a short time and I am shattered.  I have asked Dad for some time by the pool tomorrow. I love this trip to Spain and spending time in the paddock with Dad.

Day 8

Happy Birthday Dad!

Straight to the track and  prep the bike. Out and on it from the start!

I had a brilliant battle with one of the Dutch riders who was just getting the better of me before lunch. 

Again some small adjustments to my tyre pressures recommended by Sarah and after lunch I was back on it.  Posting my fastest lap of 58 seconds.  Also Ethan Sparks was back on track so we all had someone really fast to chase.  I learnt loads about my new bike trying to keep up with Ethan, Josh and Marco and eventually managed to keep the throttle pinned through the last corner onto the straight.  Sarah was really happy with my riding and said that my body position especially my head was a lot better.  Can I just send a big get well soon out to Marco, who had a crash and broke his arm!  Speedy recovery mate can't wait for you to get back out on track.

Dad also says a big thank you to everyone for the card and Birthday wishes and a special thanks to Sarah, for sorting the card, Chelsea and Dan for the cake and Lisa for sorting the Social Media coverage. 

He had a lovely evening and would have liked to have spent more time with you but I was tired and wanted my bed.

Day 7

Sorry for the delay in updating my practice in Spain.  Dad went out on Tuesday and I had a sleepover with Austin and Byron (Team Johnson), a big thank you, to you for having me and I had such a fun evening.  Prior to the sleepover the day had gone really well, we were at the track for 0900hrs and the great news was that Josh was back riding with us. I was out on my bikes again riding my 10mm to the limit and getting more used to my 14mm. I was then told that I could only compete in either the 10 or 14 but not both, it seemed silly going backwards so I decided to enter the 14mm pros.

I was still getting used to my 14mm and was finding it a bit of a handful on this super fast track (I kinda wanted my 10 back as I was so much more comfortable on it).  persevered however and started to enjoy the extra speed especially along the straight!  Because I was struggling with the power as I was exiting the bends my friend and coach Sarah from M4 academy suggested that Dad put a smaller sprocket on the rear to make the bike less aggressive.  He did this and as ever Sarah was right, my lap times improved and I became more confident on the bike when exiting the corners. By the second afternoon session I was starting to enjoy riding the 14 so much better.

All my academy mates were doing great as well, getting used to the track and starting to push the limits.

Day 6 Finistrat Karting

Up at 0700hrs and ready to go!  Breakfast at the Hotel Gran Bali then in the hire car to the track.  Unloaded the bikes and set up the gazebo stands and tools.  Then work began, straight out on the 10mm bike in the rookies class, I was very fast and loving every minute.10mm being pushed hard   Then due to problems with my 14mm bike I had to use my 10mm in the Pro class and still managed an awesome pace really pushed the 10mm to its limit.   Then Ian from M4 minimoto fixed my 14mm and I got to test it after lunch.  I was again completing some pretty good laps and rekindled the competition with my great mates from rookies last season Austin and Byron (team Johnson), Jack Attack, Marco, Ollie Sims and Wilson.  Just a quick message to Josh Williams so sorry you got injured at Fortuna I hope you have a speedy recovery and I really enjoyed pushing you around the pits in your wheelchair even though we are all missing you on track.  Found it hard to concentrate on track after such a busy time I decided to sit out the last session but going to get an early night and be ready to go like sonic in the morning.

Thought I might share some photos from Fortuna taken by a professional camera man.

Getting it right.

Getting it wrong, but always pushing!