The vicarracing.com

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Round 3 - Thruxton 14, 16-17 April 2006

Firstly I would like to say get well soon to Robbie and a big thank you to Kev, Stewy, Nico and Alex for all their hard work over the weekend with.

Thruxton being such a demanding track, we all had our work cut out.

Having a wet and a dry practice on Friday we managed to set the bike up for both conditions.

With Saturday having no track action I decided to go home Friday night and chill out and returned to the circuit sat evening to get an early night ready for qualifying on Sunday.

Sunday the sun was out!!!! I know it's amazing. I found qualifying very difficult as I was less then 2 seconds behind the pole man which put me in 30th place, this championship is so competitive. Yes, this did dent my confidence but the team told me to go out and enjoy racing the bike and I knew I would improve my lap times in the race.

What a difference a week makes in England! Race day and yes it's sunny!

Things just got worse in warm up when Guy Sanders collided with me which bent my brake leaver. Luckily we didn't go down and Guy being a good sportsman did come around to the lorry to apologise.

In between warm up and the race Ross came around to have a chat about suspension he told me that the bike felt good and I should go out, be smooth and ride my own race.

Starting in 30th for the race I managed to get a great start and I made up 6 places on the first lap. On lap 4 the safety car came out and the group bunched up which was good for me. The car was out for 2 laps then the race continued. I was in a battle with Guy Sanders and Peter Ward but I felt stronger than them, and once I got past them I pulled a 2 second gap on them. I continued to pass people and finished 17th. I was pleased with my result in the end and I enjoyed the race.

I'm now looking forward to Oulton Park although I've not raced there on a 1000cc.

Thank you to john and the team for all their support over the weekend.

John and the team would like me to thank my mum and Aunty Pooh for the lovely cake they brought on Monday for after the race.

Well done Phil for finishing 8th in the Superstock cup race.

Thank you for your continued support. "Roll on Sunday". Ride safe.

The Vicar #28