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The Sprint at Wattisham

The first sprint of the season, at RAF Wattisham, our deadline to have the streamliner project 'Race Ready' and well done to everyone who made it happen. Lyn, Tim and I arrived at the base at 08:20, it was overcast, chilly and a little windy, but thankfully it was a head wind.

The sun soon burnt through and it turned into a lovely warm day. It was good to be back out again, saying hello to everybody.

We got Tilly all put together, passed scruitineering and signed on, I then attended the riders meeting.

Mark from Brit Chopper magazine was about very early and making good use of his camera. Mark was stationed at Wattisham in 1982 (so was Stuart, I wonder if they knew each other) so finding the place was no problem for him, and most other people found it OK.

I must admit I was overwhelmed by how many friends wanted to attend, and a lot of them had never been to a sprint or a Drag Race meeting before - I bet they'll come again in the future!!

We soon got ready to do our first run, the moment of truth!!! I must mention at this point we had high hopes, but without the luxury of a wind tunnel and safety net it was a bit 'suck it and see'.

The start line is ribbed concrete so it doesn't do the poor tyre any favours and getting a good launch isn't easy (nothing new there then!) but as the track/runway isn't prepared there's nothing to slow you further up the track, so it's swings and roundabouts. I got wheel spin off the line and in 2nd and 3rd, but it went straight all the way up, which I must say was a huge relief to Lyn cos she's head of the nerves department.

It did feel good, nothing fell off or broke - result. The ET 10.09 at 135.89 I'm happy with that, what a good start. Lorna arrived just in time to watch the run (Lorna as in our lovely club secretary). With her arriving it meant that there were 4 NAST members on parade and by the end of the day there were 5 ' is no one safe? Welcome aboard Kevin.

Kevin who runs a Super Charged TFX5 650/850 Yam is planning to run with us later in the season.

After the chat about the run, a cuppa etc. it was time to run again we had less in the rear tyre, 8 psi, this time. It was a much better launch and the best run of the day, it was nice and straight, and had lots more traction, ET 10.02 at 136.23 mph, nice one. I'm very pleased with that one. After I had crossed the finish line, I sat up to help slow down, that's when I found out how well the stream liner works, the wind noise was horrendous.

It was then lunch time, which was nice!

I do enjoy the atmosphere at the sprints cos as in drag racing it's like being part of a big family, and very British. What a wonderful way to spend a sunny Sunday, a perfect test session, you can try different things out, and boy did we try out something different!!

My third run was rubbish!! Rider error!! Still we live and learn. By the time we go to the fourth and final run (we had planned 4) the wind had changed to a cross wind, and I felt it near to the finish line. I think strong side winds will definitely be an issue. Plan B is that in the event of too much wind we will use the small nose faring. It's niche to have a choice, extreme I'll admit.

I was watching the Busa run in the wind and that was leaning over at an angle. It would have been good to have another run with the stronger side wind to see how it felt but we had run out of back tyre, which was the plan, we have now fitted a new slick for round 1 at Avon Park.

We packed up, said our goodbyes and headed off for the nearest pub. Well done everyone who was there - what a good day out.

Since we got home I have been on the sprint site www.fourfourzero.co.uk and what a nice site it is, well worth a look. I wanted to check the results - I came fourth, not bad for a rest session.

At the end of June, Saturday 30th June and Sunday 1st July there is a two day event at Woodbridge, might be good idea as a social get together for NAST. Woodbridge is just outside Ipswich - let me know what you all think.

Leso

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