rsr250
Well-known member
Race Report, British MotoGP support race NG250 Championship
Wednesday June 16th: I arrived in the UK with my Mom and Dad in tow. I’m sure we looked a motley crew with suitcases, tote bags, and 2 sets of Bridgestone slicks (thanks Viets Performance!). After clearing customs and getting the rental car sorted out, we played Tetris with the car to get all the stuff in. The best part about the trip was I had to sit holding my mom’s carry on bag for 3 ½ hours up to the north of England!
We arrived at my Aunt and Uncle’s house around 7 pm that evening and got to hang out for a bit before I fell asleep in a chair, not the party animal I used to be, getting old sucks.
Thursday June 17th: Up bright an early, as I had to be at the RV rental center (Road Tripping Rentals) to pick up the camper van we would be using for the weekend. Unfortunately, I only got to see my family for a short time, but we were here to go racing, so hugs all around and lets roll! The folks at Road Tripping, Neil and Rachel, were great. Neil used to race a bit himself so he was pretty charged for me to have a good experience and couldn’t have made the process any easier. From their place it is a short drive to Bawtry were my close friend and ex-sidecar GP racer, Derek Brindley, lives. We had to be at Silverstone no later than 8 pm that evening, so we needed to start getting going and I still had a lot to do, luckily Derek had the trailer and the bike all loaded up ready to go, so all we needed to do was fill the camper with supplies. Everything was going great right up until the point when I went to get money from the ATM and the damn thing ate my card! Crap. No money, no charging and the guy in the bank says I can get my card back till a week on Tuesday. Hmmm… no I’ll be back in America by then so let me have my damn card back please. Three hours later and after having my mom swear it was me she had actually given birth to and signing my own son over to them if it wasn’t they gave me my card back. Phew, but now I was starting to panic because I was seriously behind schedule. Finally, by 4:00 pm we were on our way. The drive down to Silverstone was pretty easy no major backups (which is the norm in the UK) and next thing you know I’m pulling into the paddock. To say I was stoked is an understatement, the realization that you are there and getting to participate really hits home as you cross over the track and get directed to your space.
My dad and I set up our pit area pronto, as I wanted to go through the bike just for my own piece of mind. At this point, my poor mom makes what will be the first of an endless stream of tea for us. She was a trooper all weekend, cooking and basically looking after us. In case I don’t tell her enough, you rock mom.
As we were pretty limited to natural light, we did what we could until darkness suspended play. It was actually pretty cold as the night drew in so the BBQ chicken and potatoes mom and dad whipped up did us right and let us settle in for a good sleep ready for Friday.
Friday June 18th: Man, I’m excited. I’m finally going to get out on the track. I was hoping that with the track being new, most of the grid would not have track knowledge, but as I was soon to find out most of the top 15 had already done at least one track day. I had done about 200 laps from a YouTube video, so at least I knew which way round it went! While my dad finished the bike off, I went to sign in with the NG RoadRacing staff and let me say, they couldn’t have been more friendly and welcoming if they tried. I was supplied with 4 passes for the weekend and the MotoGP program, a detailed plan of how the weekend would proceed and anything else I could think of. The AMA could really take some lessons from this organization. The riders to a man had nothing but positive things to say about how the championship was run and how they were treated with respect at all times, as the NG staff realize the riders are the show. A very novel approach and polar opposite to the way we were treated at Nationals when I raced in them. The two gentleman that did the tech inspections actually came round to each pit area and inspected the bikes. They were both very knowledgeable and very helpful. I could really get used to racing over there! As the day wore on (we weren’t out until 5 pm), the weather started to get ugly. Very cold and surprise, surprise rain! Oh man, I have only ever ridden a bike once in the rain and that was at the Laguna national back in 1996! By this time I had started to make friends with my neighbors, namely Scott Macfarlane, Colin Wilcock, and Derek Clark. These three guys and their families were great. Anything we didn’t have they let me borrow and by the time the weekend was over I can say that I have made three new friends that will be friends forever just good people. Its funny though. The world over, racers are racers. We all pretty much help each other out and that’s what makes our sport so great. Anyway, Colin and I were talking about the weather and I was bitching about having to buy rain tires (or tyres in the UK) and he jumps in the back of his van and tells me “here use these, they’re take offs but they’ll be all good as rain is only expected today.” Well hell, for take offs, they were like brand new and he wouldn’t take any money for them, just helping me out, I could give them back when I was done. So tires are sorted, bikes sorted, just gotta get my head right… no pressure, new track and second time on a bike in the rain, cooooool!
The practice was a scheduled 25 minute session and the rain was coming, so I mounted up on the old number 90 and off I went. I rode around pretty steady as the YouTube laps were pretty much useless since I hadn’t done them in the rain, ha ha ha but the biggest problem was that my visor was a solid wall of steamed up. I had failed to bring my Fog City shield and was pretty much riding around trying to hold my visor up with one hand and ride the bike with the other. In all seriousness, it was a bit of a pain in my ass, but the main goal was to sort out which way the track went to be ready for Saturday qualifying. I ended up finishing 34th out of 54 which I was pleased with given my wet weather experience, and more than anything it still was kick ass! The track was killer, even in the rain. I couldn’t wait for the dry and I wouldn’t have to wait long.
Saturday June 19th: Although the weather is cloudy and windy, the rain manages to stay away for the day. Our qualifying session was scheduled for 5:30 PM and for 30 minutes late in the day when it will be even colder still. I actually ran 3 strips of tape on the radiator, which for me being bigger is waaaay out of the norm and the bike still only managed to reach 53 degrees! Brrrrr, cold. The track in the dry is amazing and really fast. The hangar straight is approximately twice the length of the front straight at T-Hill, man, it just goes on forever. The motoGP bikes were over 200 mph through there….amazing. I rode round for about 2-3 laps scrubbing in my tires and then started to pick the pace up. The track is so wide and the corners so long that you can easily get “lost” as there are a lot of lines around, but I started to find my way. Colin and Derek came up on me about halfway through and when they went past I thought, “all right I need to get going.” So I tagged on with them and had a really good remainder of the session. We were passing back and forth and even though I lost out a bit on the top end I was rolling and gaining back in the corners. Great fun! The session flew past and before I knew it, the flag was out and that was it. I managed to qualify 27th out of the 54. Not that I was happy about that as a competitor, but all things considered (i.e. the level of equipment out there), it was really good.
I could feel that I was quickly catching up to the level of the bike in its current form, but given the lack of time to try things, I wasn’t comfy changing too much for the race on Sunday. Frankly, this was a mistake that really cost me in the race.
Over dinner my dad, Derek and I discussed what to do. First, the front forks were pretty much at the length of their travel and although they hadn’t tapped yet, it was coming. Second was the overall gearing. I had a 37 rear sprocket on and I felt that I was revving out on the hangar straight but I thought it was that the wind was at my back and hence, making me rev out quicker from the increased speed. WRONG! As I had no other fork springs with me, I was limited or rather, stuck with what I had, and going into the race making drastic changes wasn’t going to be a good plan anyway. So remembering that the whole trip was about the experience as much as anything, I thought best to leave it alone and be confident in what I had.
Sunday June 20th: Race day! The weather was perfect and after watching the MotoGP races, I started to get ready for my own race. I was really pretty nervous because even though the experience is great, I still wanted to do well. I have a bit of a chip on my shoulder about being a big guy on a 250 and proving that I can ride a bike. It’s my deal, but it is a motivating factor for me at times.
I went out on the warm up lap on new slicks and by halfway round the lap, the tires were feeling good. By then, the nerves were gone and I was ready. Now, traditionally I get away at the starts pretty well, so of course I choked the start. I got the jump well, but let the clutch out too quick and lost the revs and hence drive. Great way to dig a hole Rich, you ass. So as the rest storm the castle, I try to tuck everything behind the screen and catch up. My second “oh crap” moment comes as I drive onto the hangar straight for the first time, at about the bridge (halfway), I realize “wow that’s 6th and man its screaming its nuts off”. On the video you can hear my trying to grab 7th gear, but oh wait no 7th gear, crap! My third and most crucial “oh crap” moment comes when I start to push the front and tap tappitty tap forks are bottomed out. Brilliant! The corners are so fast that you have to have the front right but it is what it is at this point. After a couple of laps I calm down and start doing what I can do. I start to pass a few folks and work my way up the field. It’s such a long lap and the circuit is so fast that really gaining back too much was a tall order, but I was having such a blast and enjoying the riding so much it really over shadowed my frustrations of messing up. I had a good race with a couple of other guys and made some good passes on the last lap and the race was over before I knew it. I really took my time on the slowdown lap to take it all in, the people, the signs, the track everything. Man, I really just rode at the British GP weekend, so cool.
When I came in, my Dad was really pleased. He said I finished up strong and kept pushing until the end and thought I finished 20th! If I did, mission accomplished. I had set top 20 as my goal, knowing the level of competition was so high top 20 would be great. After all, the first 4 guys had all qualified at GPs at various times. Sure enough, when the final results came out and I was 20th. I must admit, it was the best 20th I have ever had.
Obviously, the racing was the best part of the weekend. But the new friends I made and the NG staff made this weekend really amazing. I am hoping they get to do this again next year as the NG folks already extended an invitation for next year!
I have a copy of the race from my GoPro Camera and will try to sort out YouTube and post it so all can see it.
I can’t send thanks enough to everyone on BARF and from the AFM that helped me to get over there to do this. Additionally I would also like to thank Arrow Engineering, Derek Brindley, Oliver Brindley (for endless cleaning of the bike and being the fastest 11 year old flat tracker in the UK), GoPro Camera, Barnett, Viets Performance, my family (Mom, Dad, Tina, Claire and Max), Road Racing World, and Road Tripping Rentals. It really was a dream come true for me and I tried to represent us all by keeping it pinned all weekend!
Cheers,
Rich Snowden
The British Top Brass Racing Team
Wednesday June 16th: I arrived in the UK with my Mom and Dad in tow. I’m sure we looked a motley crew with suitcases, tote bags, and 2 sets of Bridgestone slicks (thanks Viets Performance!). After clearing customs and getting the rental car sorted out, we played Tetris with the car to get all the stuff in. The best part about the trip was I had to sit holding my mom’s carry on bag for 3 ½ hours up to the north of England!
We arrived at my Aunt and Uncle’s house around 7 pm that evening and got to hang out for a bit before I fell asleep in a chair, not the party animal I used to be, getting old sucks.
Thursday June 17th: Up bright an early, as I had to be at the RV rental center (Road Tripping Rentals) to pick up the camper van we would be using for the weekend. Unfortunately, I only got to see my family for a short time, but we were here to go racing, so hugs all around and lets roll! The folks at Road Tripping, Neil and Rachel, were great. Neil used to race a bit himself so he was pretty charged for me to have a good experience and couldn’t have made the process any easier. From their place it is a short drive to Bawtry were my close friend and ex-sidecar GP racer, Derek Brindley, lives. We had to be at Silverstone no later than 8 pm that evening, so we needed to start getting going and I still had a lot to do, luckily Derek had the trailer and the bike all loaded up ready to go, so all we needed to do was fill the camper with supplies. Everything was going great right up until the point when I went to get money from the ATM and the damn thing ate my card! Crap. No money, no charging and the guy in the bank says I can get my card back till a week on Tuesday. Hmmm… no I’ll be back in America by then so let me have my damn card back please. Three hours later and after having my mom swear it was me she had actually given birth to and signing my own son over to them if it wasn’t they gave me my card back. Phew, but now I was starting to panic because I was seriously behind schedule. Finally, by 4:00 pm we were on our way. The drive down to Silverstone was pretty easy no major backups (which is the norm in the UK) and next thing you know I’m pulling into the paddock. To say I was stoked is an understatement, the realization that you are there and getting to participate really hits home as you cross over the track and get directed to your space.
My dad and I set up our pit area pronto, as I wanted to go through the bike just for my own piece of mind. At this point, my poor mom makes what will be the first of an endless stream of tea for us. She was a trooper all weekend, cooking and basically looking after us. In case I don’t tell her enough, you rock mom.
As we were pretty limited to natural light, we did what we could until darkness suspended play. It was actually pretty cold as the night drew in so the BBQ chicken and potatoes mom and dad whipped up did us right and let us settle in for a good sleep ready for Friday.
Friday June 18th: Man, I’m excited. I’m finally going to get out on the track. I was hoping that with the track being new, most of the grid would not have track knowledge, but as I was soon to find out most of the top 15 had already done at least one track day. I had done about 200 laps from a YouTube video, so at least I knew which way round it went! While my dad finished the bike off, I went to sign in with the NG RoadRacing staff and let me say, they couldn’t have been more friendly and welcoming if they tried. I was supplied with 4 passes for the weekend and the MotoGP program, a detailed plan of how the weekend would proceed and anything else I could think of. The AMA could really take some lessons from this organization. The riders to a man had nothing but positive things to say about how the championship was run and how they were treated with respect at all times, as the NG staff realize the riders are the show. A very novel approach and polar opposite to the way we were treated at Nationals when I raced in them. The two gentleman that did the tech inspections actually came round to each pit area and inspected the bikes. They were both very knowledgeable and very helpful. I could really get used to racing over there! As the day wore on (we weren’t out until 5 pm), the weather started to get ugly. Very cold and surprise, surprise rain! Oh man, I have only ever ridden a bike once in the rain and that was at the Laguna national back in 1996! By this time I had started to make friends with my neighbors, namely Scott Macfarlane, Colin Wilcock, and Derek Clark. These three guys and their families were great. Anything we didn’t have they let me borrow and by the time the weekend was over I can say that I have made three new friends that will be friends forever just good people. Its funny though. The world over, racers are racers. We all pretty much help each other out and that’s what makes our sport so great. Anyway, Colin and I were talking about the weather and I was bitching about having to buy rain tires (or tyres in the UK) and he jumps in the back of his van and tells me “here use these, they’re take offs but they’ll be all good as rain is only expected today.” Well hell, for take offs, they were like brand new and he wouldn’t take any money for them, just helping me out, I could give them back when I was done. So tires are sorted, bikes sorted, just gotta get my head right… no pressure, new track and second time on a bike in the rain, cooooool!
The practice was a scheduled 25 minute session and the rain was coming, so I mounted up on the old number 90 and off I went. I rode around pretty steady as the YouTube laps were pretty much useless since I hadn’t done them in the rain, ha ha ha but the biggest problem was that my visor was a solid wall of steamed up. I had failed to bring my Fog City shield and was pretty much riding around trying to hold my visor up with one hand and ride the bike with the other. In all seriousness, it was a bit of a pain in my ass, but the main goal was to sort out which way the track went to be ready for Saturday qualifying. I ended up finishing 34th out of 54 which I was pleased with given my wet weather experience, and more than anything it still was kick ass! The track was killer, even in the rain. I couldn’t wait for the dry and I wouldn’t have to wait long.
Saturday June 19th: Although the weather is cloudy and windy, the rain manages to stay away for the day. Our qualifying session was scheduled for 5:30 PM and for 30 minutes late in the day when it will be even colder still. I actually ran 3 strips of tape on the radiator, which for me being bigger is waaaay out of the norm and the bike still only managed to reach 53 degrees! Brrrrr, cold. The track in the dry is amazing and really fast. The hangar straight is approximately twice the length of the front straight at T-Hill, man, it just goes on forever. The motoGP bikes were over 200 mph through there….amazing. I rode round for about 2-3 laps scrubbing in my tires and then started to pick the pace up. The track is so wide and the corners so long that you can easily get “lost” as there are a lot of lines around, but I started to find my way. Colin and Derek came up on me about halfway through and when they went past I thought, “all right I need to get going.” So I tagged on with them and had a really good remainder of the session. We were passing back and forth and even though I lost out a bit on the top end I was rolling and gaining back in the corners. Great fun! The session flew past and before I knew it, the flag was out and that was it. I managed to qualify 27th out of the 54. Not that I was happy about that as a competitor, but all things considered (i.e. the level of equipment out there), it was really good.
I could feel that I was quickly catching up to the level of the bike in its current form, but given the lack of time to try things, I wasn’t comfy changing too much for the race on Sunday. Frankly, this was a mistake that really cost me in the race.
Over dinner my dad, Derek and I discussed what to do. First, the front forks were pretty much at the length of their travel and although they hadn’t tapped yet, it was coming. Second was the overall gearing. I had a 37 rear sprocket on and I felt that I was revving out on the hangar straight but I thought it was that the wind was at my back and hence, making me rev out quicker from the increased speed. WRONG! As I had no other fork springs with me, I was limited or rather, stuck with what I had, and going into the race making drastic changes wasn’t going to be a good plan anyway. So remembering that the whole trip was about the experience as much as anything, I thought best to leave it alone and be confident in what I had.
Sunday June 20th: Race day! The weather was perfect and after watching the MotoGP races, I started to get ready for my own race. I was really pretty nervous because even though the experience is great, I still wanted to do well. I have a bit of a chip on my shoulder about being a big guy on a 250 and proving that I can ride a bike. It’s my deal, but it is a motivating factor for me at times.
I went out on the warm up lap on new slicks and by halfway round the lap, the tires were feeling good. By then, the nerves were gone and I was ready. Now, traditionally I get away at the starts pretty well, so of course I choked the start. I got the jump well, but let the clutch out too quick and lost the revs and hence drive. Great way to dig a hole Rich, you ass. So as the rest storm the castle, I try to tuck everything behind the screen and catch up. My second “oh crap” moment comes as I drive onto the hangar straight for the first time, at about the bridge (halfway), I realize “wow that’s 6th and man its screaming its nuts off”. On the video you can hear my trying to grab 7th gear, but oh wait no 7th gear, crap! My third and most crucial “oh crap” moment comes when I start to push the front and tap tappitty tap forks are bottomed out. Brilliant! The corners are so fast that you have to have the front right but it is what it is at this point. After a couple of laps I calm down and start doing what I can do. I start to pass a few folks and work my way up the field. It’s such a long lap and the circuit is so fast that really gaining back too much was a tall order, but I was having such a blast and enjoying the riding so much it really over shadowed my frustrations of messing up. I had a good race with a couple of other guys and made some good passes on the last lap and the race was over before I knew it. I really took my time on the slowdown lap to take it all in, the people, the signs, the track everything. Man, I really just rode at the British GP weekend, so cool.
When I came in, my Dad was really pleased. He said I finished up strong and kept pushing until the end and thought I finished 20th! If I did, mission accomplished. I had set top 20 as my goal, knowing the level of competition was so high top 20 would be great. After all, the first 4 guys had all qualified at GPs at various times. Sure enough, when the final results came out and I was 20th. I must admit, it was the best 20th I have ever had.
Obviously, the racing was the best part of the weekend. But the new friends I made and the NG staff made this weekend really amazing. I am hoping they get to do this again next year as the NG folks already extended an invitation for next year!
I have a copy of the race from my GoPro Camera and will try to sort out YouTube and post it so all can see it.
I can’t send thanks enough to everyone on BARF and from the AFM that helped me to get over there to do this. Additionally I would also like to thank Arrow Engineering, Derek Brindley, Oliver Brindley (for endless cleaning of the bike and being the fastest 11 year old flat tracker in the UK), GoPro Camera, Barnett, Viets Performance, my family (Mom, Dad, Tina, Claire and Max), Road Racing World, and Road Tripping Rentals. It really was a dream come true for me and I tried to represent us all by keeping it pinned all weekend!
Cheers,
Rich Snowden
The British Top Brass Racing Team
Attachments
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BMW stuffed.jpg -
Rich & Dad.1.JPG -
Rain.1.JPG -
First Practice.1.JPG -
Nerves pre-race.1.JPG -
MotoGP 250s.jpg -
Group.1.JPG -
Bike shot.1.JPG
