GAIL'S MGP UPDATE
Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2003 11:19 am Post subject: GAIL'S MGP UPDATE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I thought I'd post a small report of how my last 2days went !!
I'd describe it in one word 'NIGHTMARE'.
On Friday I was working til 2.30pm, went to garage, I had all
my sponsors signwriting lined up on the bike, so I stuck them
down. I loaded up my leathers, helmets, boots etc and took myself
down to the paddock to get signed on, I'd heard there has been I
massive queue all afternoon since opening. So anyway I joined the
queue at 3.45pm, hoping that I'd get to the riders briefing at 4.45pm,
and plenty of time to get to ferry to meet my chief mechanic, Adrian
and his friend Simon. NO, the queue simply wasn't going down very quick,
and meant that Neil Hanson ( clerk of the course ) had to stop anyone
else from joining the queue, as closing for signing on Friday was 4.30pm,
and I didn't get out til 5.20pm. So I had to look up the riders briefing times
for Saturday, which is 11.30am or 1.15pm. That was already looking
like the nightmare was about to begin !
So off to get some tyres ordered, oil, chain etc by this time I can see
the boat coming in, so not much time to stay chatting to friends so
I say have to dash got to meet chief mechanic.
I just made it good timing he's just approaching the road off the ferry
so I get him to follow me to the garage. We get our garage set up,
and off for pub supper at 8pm. We call it a night.
Up at crack of dawn as I have been all week so much on my mind, things
to be completed on the bike before I can even consider going down
Bray Hill for my first lap ! This is only just the beginning !
Back to the garage to make a start on jobs as long as my arm, and you
say we have nearly a year to prepare for this !! This is what happens
when you race in between the MGP ! Time is running out and I have to run
the bike for 20 minutes for the off ! The testing times at Jurby have been
restricted from 10 til 5 to ONLY 10 til 1. Its nearly 11.30 so I jump on
the reck with all the leathers on, go to riders briefing, I have
arranged with Adrian to get the bike in van and meet me at start line
at 12 noon for a dash to Jurby to get this Honda run in a bit !
It has all new crank, piston ring etc, we have made adjustments to
the front end to try tonight.
We make it to Jurby at 12.35 and takes 5 minutes to run bike up to
temperature, I get 18 minutes run in thats good enough to start with.
I now have to go to work !!!! AND I'M already late should have been in
at 12.45pm ! I make it there at 2pm. I then get phone call from Adrian
at 4.15 pm, they were just about going to strutineering and notice a problem with rear wheel, and have fitted new bearing but the problem is
still there. The tube through the wheel has broken down and we can't
get the full torque on the wheel.
I make a quick exit from work to try and get this problems sorted
before I can get out for this first session. A BIG THANK-YOU to
TOM SNOW he saved the day for me ! AND kindly lent me one of his
spare wheels til I can get mine repaired.
I see my Mum and Dads boat coming in to dock, and at least they will
get to see me away from the line now, it was touch and go as to whether
they would make it ! I go off line nearly last after a 20 minute delay
due to car parked on the course at Bishop's court ! That's three years
on trot now on first session this has happened ! Get back after one lap only we are flagged in, out of time for this session. I couldn't
believe the amount of oil, flags etc in such a small amount of practise !
It was a terrible lap ! But I only went out for a steady running in lap, and
thats all I was able under the conditions !
It is a great relief to get the first one completed with all the problems today! I see Eleanor and Carolynn and they have fully enjoyed their
first ever closed road lap !
Lets go ....got to get ready for the early morning subject to conditions.
Will report back tomorrow !
GAIL
GREEN 72 ULTRA LIGHTWEIGHT
_________________
MGP here at last...
THANKS to Mo Griffiths, Mum & Dad, Graham
Treacher, Robinson's (IOM), Manx Document
Imaging (IOM), Sugarpot, Darren & Frank Gilpin,
Road & Track, and all support of partner, David.
Also my two Irish sponsors, all the marshalls.
|
