“Two Wheels or More” interview with Andy Booth as the Tri-Options Cup racer enters his 3rd season in the BSB Ducati series.
Andy Booth is another rider racing in the Ducati Tri-Options Cup series, I'm sure he'll forgive me for stating he isn't a front runner in the series and he is still chasing his first point since joining the series in 2017!
What this proves is that the series is, without doubt a very competitive one because Andy is an accomplished club rider, taking his first Race victory last year, followed by more wins throughout 2018 riding in the North Gloucester Racing club and the No Limits Race Series, finishing second overall in the Ducati Challenge Cup, so he certainly knows how to race a motorcycle.
Whatever position a rider is battling for in any championship, the preparation of machine and body is just the same, sometimes more when the rider is doing the prep work with his own money!
I met up with Andy to discuss his racing past, present and future.
Tony Jacklin (TJ)
How did you become involved in motorcycles?
Andy Booth (AB)
Well I was interested in bikes at a young age and rode my first motorbike when I was 6 years old, it was a Puch moped that I used to ride around the farm on. That progressed to trial bikes.
My interest in bikes continued with me doing track days for the best part of 20 years.
In 2012 I took the plunge and obtained my ACU Race license. I joined North Gloucester Racing club, racing a Suzuki GSXR1000 in the Open Class and Powerbike Class.
I carried on doing the club racing thing through 2013 then in 2014 I joined the No limits Racing Endurance class with our team called Team misfits. We ran it with different guest riders but I remained in the team throughout right up to the present day.
TJ
Will you be carrying on with the Endurance Series in 2019?
AB
Yes we will be carrying on this year.
The current 3 rider team consists of Me, Gemma Viles and Jase Lease. (Husband and Wife combination)!
TJ
So when did you starting racing in the Ducati Tri-Options Cup?
AB
We started in the Ducati series in 2017 as we could race at BSB meetings with a Full Clubmans Race License (as in, have a completed ACU signature card or other ACU- accepted documented evidence of prior race experience to qualify as a full clubman licence holder) or above, issued by the ACU or the Scottish ACU.
This was a great opportunity to race in the same paddock as the British Superbike riders.
We had a good first season and carried it on through 2018.
TJ
How do you feel the 2018 season went for you then? Did you achieve what you set out to do?
AB
Well through the winter of 2017 I set myself a goal to get in better shape ready for the new season. I lost 3 stone in weight and felt much sharper as a racer.
TJ
So the season went well then?
AB
Not exactly, the engine blew up at the start of the season so I missed the first two rounds whilst I had the engine rebuilt.
So my first race meeting was actually at Oulton Park, where we finished both races. We then did the rest of the season with mixed results.
I was Happy with the season though as my times were getting better each race.
In June, I spoke with a sports life coach, Denise Phillips (@thesancturyden).
She got my head in the right place to go racing and after watching that meeting, next time out at Croft Circuit, I went from 4th place to record my first win in the No Limits Ducati Challenge.
I had quite a successful season on the club side of it, eventually finishing 2nd in the Ducati Challenge Championship with No Limits Racing.
TJ
Who would you say has been the biggest influence so far in your racing career, someone you look up to?
AB
The most helpful I'd have to say is Steve Plater (Ambassador for the Ducati Tri-Options Cup), he's always around to help out where he can, if he can help himself, he will put you in touch with the right person to help.
The person I most look up to is Leon Haslam, he's a local lad, one of the next villages to me actually and it goes without saying how good he is.
TJ
What about a racing hero from when you was a kid, mine was Barry Sheene?
AB
Ron Haslam, I used to watch him on the JPS Nortons at Mallory Park, Donington Park etc
TJ
What's your favourite UK circuit and why?
AB
My favourite has to be Anglesey, it has bits of everything, facilities are really good and the people are really friendly.
I also enjoy Cadwell Park, it's such a good track, especially with the mountain section.
TJ
I read a lot about riders describing their fitness and diet programmes, is there any special diet and fitness regime you follow?
AB
Not really, I try to keep the weight off, maybe a cheeky Nando's !!!
I take on plenty of fluids during race day to stay focused.
TJ
What is the structure of the team this year, is it the same personnel as you had last season?
AB
The team is self managed, Ken (AKA The Boss), Katy & Paul, look after everything except the riding. Catering etc.
TJ
Have you got any testing plans other than the official Silverstone one at the end of March?
AB
We are testing at the official Silverstone test on March 28th, the plan is to get the bike set up for first round. We could have gone to Spain like so many other teams but it costs a lot of money and that would eat in to a considerable amount of our race budget, plus the chances of having those weather conditions for round one are very slim.
TJ
Thank you for your time Andy, I look forward to reporting on the Ducati Tri-Options Cup series again this year, the series is looking just as competitive as last year, roll on Silverstone race weekend!
AB
Thank you Tony, it was great to finally meet you.
I'd like to thank all my fellow racers in the Ducati paddock, they really are like family, everybody is so helpful and would give you anything to keep you racing on a weekend.
I have a new sponsor onboard for this season, Pit stop Mororcycles Hull.
ATS Hire are continuing for a third season.
Also a thank you to RatMally Graphics also been with me since 2012.
Thank you also to Denise Phillips, the life coach, she certainly pointed me in the right direction.
Thank you to MotorcycleSportMedia who will be my media organiser in both BSB and club events, they keep my page updated.
All my other sponsors, who are equally as important to keep me running for the season.
These are vital as club round costs around a thousand pound and fifteen hundred pounds at BSB.
If there are any potential sponsors wanting to get on board, please contact Andy here: Contact
Please visit our current sponsors
Words by: Tony Jacklin
Picture credits: Andy Booth Facebook