2012 is here!

So two minutes ago it was Christmas, and now it's March already! The season has snuck up on us all quietly and quickly, and with the warm weather making an appearance, it's really time to get excited.

This season i will once again be keeping the website up to date so that you can read about my escapades around the country competing on an all new (to me) Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade in the Thundersport GP1 and Superstock 1000 classes. The decision to step up to a 1000cc machine was quite spontaneous, after a trip to Spain in November to try to finally get comfortable on last years Yamaha, as despite an ok year, i never had the bike feeling like it was my own. I rode a Suzuki GSXR1000 K7 for a few laps and knew i wanted to move to the litre class. It was also a way of moving back to a Honda which was an aim since selling the CBR600 i had so much success with in '09 and '10.

Needless to say, i am extremely excited to kick the year off at Donington Park, and after a very successful 4 day test in Almeria, Spain in February, i am confident that i will continue to progress quickly with the bike and be extremely competitive in this class.

Since injuring myself during a race on the Snetterton 300 circuit, crashing out of fifth position in the rain and breaking my collarbone, i was fortunate enough to have surgery to realign and plate the break by Dr Lennard Funk, the world famous shoulder surgeon. This meant that in no time at all i was back on the bike and racing again. Over the winter i have trained and got myself back to fitness ready for the season ahead.

I am also very fortunate and grateful for the continued help and support of some great companies and people. Pipewerx exhausts will be providing exhausts for the bike once again, maximising performance, keeping me below the dB limits and looking great. Ryan from Moto-Racespares, Bristol, will be providing me with parts and service products from world renowned brands such as Motorex fluids, Renthal products, SBS brake pads and SiS Nutrition. Brian Bates of Bates Car & Commercial, Padiham, Burnley, continuing on from 2011s support, has stepped forward this year to design and spray the bike, creating a stunning look, and back to my much proffered orange! To finish the bike off, Richard Howes of Signs Express Lincoln has been kind enough to offer support and provide the stickers and graphics for the bike also.

Finally, Shorrocks Motorcycles in Penwortham, Preston, have confirmed they will continue to support my racing. They provide excellent knowledge to road and track riders, stock a massive amount of gear, from leathers to tyres, and also have a full workshop for services & repairs, to MOTs.

I am extremely grateful for all of your support, and hope to repay you over the year with some great results!

I'm counting down the hours until Donington park on Wednesday 22nd!


Bongo #177, back in orange for 2012!!