Derby Phoenix Club Championship - Anglesey - 5th & 6th May 2001

We decided to go to the Derby Phoenix Club's two day meeting at Anglesey to get some mileage on the RG before the second round of the Forgotten Era Championship at Darley. Looking back, I wish we had never of bothered!

We got there on Friday night after travelling from Heysham. Paul (Dave's son) and Dan (who works for me) were the unfortunate crew members this time out. We were travelling in what was to be known as 'The Luxury Motor home' but what was in reality, my Tranny Van I use for work.

Anglesey is the arse-end of nowhere. It was awful. When we arrived at the track, some riders were already putting their bikes through scrutineering, so we thought that we might as well follow suit. We then took it upon ourselves to have a walk of the track. It was in very good condition, with awesome views out to see from the western end of the circuit, but straight away I knew I was going to have my work cut out on the RG. It was so twisty, with nothing that could really be called a straight, I thought that I might struggle.

After visiting the nearest Ghost Town and enjoying a meal in Anglesey's only eatery, we settled down to our first night in 'The Luxury Motor home'.

Saturday morning, brought fabulous weather to the Welsh track and I was looking forward to a good run first time out. In the first practice the bike was going well enough, but because it was so twisty, I was only just clicking fourth on the longest straight. In the second practice, I started to get a bit more confident and was passing a few of the more modern machines. However just as I started to slow down to come into the pits at the end of the second session, the Suzuki nipped up.

To cut a long story short, we spent the whole of the day after this, re-building the bike. In times gone by, the team would have thrown her back into the van and headed for home, but now we try to make the best of whatever is thrown at us. It took all day and we borrowed tools of just about every other rider in the pits. Anglesey resident John Hulme, who had got in touch with us through the TT Website was a great help during the afternoon, and we won't forget it.

We got it going again in time for the non qualifiers final, but because I had missed the heat, they wouldn't let me out. After travelling all this way for a ride, I thought they might have been more helpful, but never mind - there is always tomorrow.

We packed up and headed for the next town up to get some grub. We found a nice pub alright, but as soon as we went in all the locals started talking in Welsh which we thought was strange. After a few more pints and an unsuccessful search for a shower, we headed back to Ty Cross. We stayed up for a bit longer enjoying a pint with Mick Charnock and Richard Prescott and their gang who were parked next to us. They had a little caravan with all the cooking stuff, making our Tranny Van with two lilo's inside look pretty crap!

The next morning our neighbours were up making us tea and toast which we were most grateful for. The lads are doing the Manx again this year and I promise to show them round if they want. They did so much for us during the weekend, and we won't forget it.

My first race of the day was the Non Qualifiers Final which I was allowed in, but had to start from the back of the thirty strong grid. With the races only lasting five laps, I was happy enough to get up to ninth place by the finish, just behind Richard on his CBR 600.

I was down as a reserve in a couple of other classes, but they didn't let me out in any of them, so the only other outings I got were in the other heat and final held that day. It was a bit of a wasted effort on the RG. I reckon I could have pushed up the front on my 250, but I never really made it past mid field all day, on the over geared Suzuki.

As soon as the racing finished we packed up and headed straight to Darley. If we can help it, we won't be going back to Ty Cross - well not on the RG anyway. It was a meeting to forget I suppose, but we did meet some nice people in Mick, Richard and John, and we definitely had a good laugh. If we weren't fixing the RG we were underneath the bloody van!