We're rolling with the big guns now... and the season opener drops the flag at a mixed conditions Donington Park.
The Ducati TriOptions Cup is our chosen series and we're here with the help of many for 2017. ATS Hire gave the biggest push to help us up the hill but we're very thankful for all the help we've received and we'll be most pleased to give you all a nod as we tell of our adventures.
ATS Hire / ARB Racing Ducati 959 / BSB TriOptions Cup 2017
Andy Booth pictured here with Elise Tully of ATS Hire, the main sponsor for 2017.
Proudly on the grid for the last race of the weekend.
Photo: Glyn Richardson
Day 1 on the new Ducati was a mixed bag. Having never ridden it, only ever sitting on it in the showroom, it was straight into a practice session. The bike was as far and away from everything I knew, having only ever raced Japanese 1 litre, 4 cylinder bikes. I had to start somewhere though and the motivation of the BSB grid is a fair boost. Not too bad considering the strains and stresses of the new challenge, finishing 3rd from last with a 1min 50second lap. Before the next session we played around with the settings and took some pressure out of the tyres ahead of qualifying. Well all I can say at the end of the session I was 3 seconds slower and last! The settings were the wrong so today I am in the last chance race. The aim is to re-think the setup and gain enough pace to get into the top 10 finishers and qualify for the main race.
Day 2 saw us in the last chance race again with a wet track and another unknown. Wets in and a couple of turns on the suspension is as good as it gets on a standard road bike. A sighting lap and a warmup lap does nothing to give me any confidence… The lights go out and 16 of us are off. After a few laps I'm getting used to the bike and over the line I'm 12th and not last. For me a result! I had to sit out the next race and only look on in horror as one of the bikes smokes heavily as its engine lets go putting oil on the track and sending bikes crashing. Sadly Mick Whalley lost his life. The whole Ducati paddock shook with the news but after a vote later that evening, it was decided to race the next day and pay our respects to Mick on the grid.
ATS Hire / ARB Racing Ducati 959 / BSB TriOptions Cup 2017
Photo: Glyn Richardson
Day 3 saw plenty of sunshine and huge crowds in attendance. New rubber on the bike was the first job, followed by another can of control fuel. The bike sorted, it was confirmed I would be last on the grid but still a chance to get some valuable track-time and learning about the new 959. Off to the grid I went to be met by Sam and Elise of ATS Hire with the brolly.. We’ve hit the big-time. The whole of Donington Park fell silent on this sun blessed day for a sad minute of reflection and respect for Mick Whalley, a lovely guy that lost his life doing what he loved. With a heavy heart it was race start and we were off. 3 laps later, it was clear I was not keeping up with anyone so I decided to pull off rather then come off. The bike wasn’t gripping and we needed to re-think some setup. The right decision in my mind.
A weekend of mixed emotions. I had not even ridden the bike before and had not ridden any bike since last October, so to go out there and finish was job well done. I would like to thank all my sponsors, especially ATS Hire for their amazing support, Colin and Dianne of 100% Suspension for making the best of a standard bike and most of all to Sam for being my right hand man. Lastly my sincere condolences to the friends and family of Mick Whalley. RIP #77
ATS Hire Tel. 0114 2465171