On the road again.

Cadwell bound in an unusually hot April, setting record temps for this time of year, perhaps a sign of more records to be broken by the ARB Misfits. Round two of the No Limits Championship was on the cards to get us back in the groove and so to Thursdays most pressing tasks; Find a spot, get set up and get the kettle on! Ready for test day.

Friday: Test Day.
Early sign on and noise test for the weekend. Time to run the bike in and make sure everything is right after the engine re build.

First session was nice and steady with just a few laps to check the bike over, all good. Throughout the second and third session the throttle was twisted tighter as the confidence built and the Ducati came back to her old self. During lunch we had a chance to lift the panels and tank off for a thorough check. No issues at all leaving the stress behind to enjoy the rest of the afternoon.

Saturday: Race day.
Welcome to new Team Mate Lee Davenport, fresh from an overnight flight and a long drive to Cadwell.

Qualifying time and Lee arrived in the paddock with his bike as I went out for the first half of the 40 min session. I tucked my head down and my bum up and pushed as hard as I could on old tyres (needs must). Lee’s turn and after his stint we had qualified 17th overall and 6th in class. Great result and now time to race.

Sam and Guy made sure the bikes were ready, pit board poised and team discussion completed as the 1 minute board goes out. Lee is up for the start and it’s myself to hold the bike as the Union Jack waves and Lee sprints Jumping onto the bike he pushes through the mayhem to get forward into to the first corner and ahead for his laps. The “Fuel in” board is shown to Lee and it’s my turn. Slick tyres working well compared to the normal treads and I make the best of the grip until the one hour point, holding us at 19th overall and 5th in class. Lee heads off on his second session but takes the team by surprise as he returns with the bike not handling correctly. A quick turn-around and I’m out again.

ATS Hire Ducati / ARB Racing Andy Booth / Cadwell Mountan

At the 2 hr mark we have dropped to 21st and 6th in class and I come in to let Lee take his final stint. Only 10 mins into his half-hour, Lee is back in pit-lane with more handling issues so the ATS Hire Ducati is quickly fueled to the max ready for the run to the chequered flag.

The unplanned change cost us ten minutes and as I rolled out of the garage the skies darkened and the smell of rain was in the air. Unbelievably, on slicks, slipping all over the place in the damp, I did my fastest lap of the day! I could see it was only going to be a heavy shower so I throttled off but stayed out while others either slipped off or came in favouring wets. The decision paid off and we bought some places but as the track dried quickly in the tropical April heat, the quicker riders started fighting back and the chequered flag finally waves after a long 51 minute session.

As the bikes are lined up for Parc Ferme, we finish an exhausted 20th overall and 5th in class. What an excellent team effort!

Thanks go to a fantastic team mate in Lee Davenport, the best team crew; Sam Blackmore and Guy Rhodes, much needed help and support from Julian and Steve and to all our sponsors and donators who made it possible to fund this expensive sport. Thanks also to No Limits for an excellent series and staff who are more than helpful (even Paul Rennie) and finally the biggest thanks to the Orange and Red army who keep up all safe.

Next up; We’re back in the grand paddock of The BSB Ducati TriOptions Cup at Oulton Park. May the 5th to the 7th. See you there!

View the gallery.

Mountain Air. Cadwell Park. No limits Endurance Round 2.