Friday 1^st September 2006 – Lightweight/Ultralightweight and Senior race day

Hmmm well… I got up this morning and it’s been raining again, not what I ever want to see on the morning of a race day in the Isle of Man (as I’m sure I’ve probably said before!) but there you go, bloody Manx weather!

The usual preparations are under way, Dan has the 400 up for scruitineering and we have the trusty Dunlop KR364’s on the bike on my spare VFR wheels, I was hoping we could run the Pirelli’s on the Dymag’s but we’ll keep them to one side for now as it’s much easier to just swap the wheels than have to start changing tyre’s.

The MBR portable awning is up in the holding area as it has been all week, and this morning we have Nige ‘Speedy’ John and myself out in the race, albeit separate races really, as Nige is in the Lightweight and I’m in the Ultrallightweight and Aka’s 750 is there in preparation for this afternoon.

I’m a lot more relaxed today than I was on Wednesday it has to be said, even with the bloody Manx weather! We have the dry wheels on standby and even though it appears to be drying a little, after a chat with Kev, I decide to leave the 364’s on for now.

Just as the roads are about to close, we get the call on the tanoy that every rider hates to hear and that’s that there has been a delay and the roads will not be closing, however, news soon starts to filter through that there has been a road accident, even though the powers that be say nothing at this point, but however disappointed we may be at a delay, no one likes to hear there has been an accident. The longer the delay goes on, it becomes clear that this must’ve been a serious, if not fatal accident… unfortunately the latter is true and everybody understands when the organisers have to delay the start of the race until at least 12:30 for the police to complete their investigations.

When we do eventually get under way, there is still reports of damp patches under tree’s etc. and as I have much more experience with the 364’s than the Super Corsa’s on the 400, I decide to leave them on for the race, a decision that I later regret, but we’ll get to that!

I’m setting off with Ian Hickey today who has been parked opposite me in the paddock in Mark Parrot’s truck and awning all week and, as always with the boys, me and Ian have a little joke running about who’s gonna beat who (me and Richard Mooney did the same all practice week, it’s always good craic) Anyway, Ian beat me in the Junior (on Mark P’s rocket ship, I might add!) so, we were having bets on this race and as we’re setting off together this time, the pressure’s on!

Somehow in the starting procedure, John Richards on his 400, manages to set off a minute early and in the middle of the 250’s… which kinda throws everyone a little. Knowing John, it’d have been some kind of stunt!

Soon it’s our turn and we’re off down Bray hill, Ian’s off in front and is ahead into Quarter Bridge, I’ve said before, this is pretty much always the case for me… I’d much rather be slow in and fast out of the QB, through Braddan Bridge we go and then I pass Ian on the way down into Union Mills and never saw him again for the rest of the race ( sorry Ian!) For some reason though, as soon as I set off today, my visor starts misting up, something it hasn’t really done all week and which is bloody annoying!

Due to my low start number (I’ve covered this in a previous diary entry, but it was basically a mistake the organisers refused to correct before the start of the meeting and then Neil wouldn’t move anyone in this race, for some reason?) I started at number 64 which is 25^th on the grid and considering my previous fastest lap on the 400 was 104mph in 2004, there are probably only 10 or 12 people who’ve gone faster, so it means I have some serious ground to make up. I do a fair bit of passing people and at Bishopscourt on lap two, I come across another friend, Kirk Farrow and manage to slip past him on the exit of the fast right-hander past just after the house. As we come into Ramsey Hairpin, there’s a slower rider ahead and, as usual, I’m a bit cautious and a little courteous but Kirk aint… he comes down the inside of me (and I hadn’t left much room on the inside because the other guy was middle of the road!) and takes the inside line, I actually shouted “Oh no you f**king don’t” as I went around the outside of him and up the inside of the other fella on the exit of the Hairpin, much to Roy Moore’s excitement by all accounts! I obviously didn’t hear it but my mum reported it to me afterwards. My mate Andy is at The Gooseneck pit boarding for me, as is my friend Gail too, unfortunately, each time I get to The Gooseneck I have someone to pass or am just getting past and I keep forgetting to look at my board! I think it says 10^th on lap two so I keep my head down and get to the pit stop.

The pit stop goes fast and smooth apart from the fact that Dan cleaned my visor with a tear off still on it and it’s still a bit misty as I set off again… hmmmm, not good! I’ve already spent much of each lap holding the bloody thing up when I have a spare hand to demist it! When I get to Ramsey Hairpin this time, I chuck it in and am most of the way through the corner when, shit… the front tucks… I managed to save it, but because of that, I nearly hit the wall in the exit, I’m leaning away from the wall with all my might and manage to miss it but… phew, that made me jump. Unfortunately, just around the corner a surprise was waiting for me that I didn’t want to see because, as I get to Waterworks 2 the waved yellows were out and as I round the corner, my team mate Speedy’s No.7 plate was staring at me. I didn’t even see Tony Cawte, who was apparently lying on the track on the inside of the exit of the corner, all I could see was a No7 on a black and yellow bike and Speedy lying on the deck surrounded by Marshals and Medics… Shit. I don’t normally look, but because it was in my eye line there was nothing I could do to avoid seeing who it was and once I’d seen who it was, I needed to know he was ok… and it didn’t look like he was.

I still have a race to run and if I don’t push it to the back of my mind now, I might as well pull in at the Gooseneck, as a rider you have to carry on and sometimes things look worse than they are, so, by the mountain mile I’m back on track and, bad as it sounds, have ‘forgotten’ about it. I get to the Veranda and whip of a tear off, just as I do… bang, a big fat fly between the eyes! Now, I think that was my last tear off, but we’ll get back to that.

The last lap goes pretty well until I get to Waterworks again, as I do, Speedy’s crash comes back to me, not that it’s a problem, but I have pushed it to the back of my mind up until then. Next up is the Gooseneck and I’ve been on a good lap so far, I tip into the Gooseneck and all is well, mid corner all is well and then, bang… the front tucks again! I managed to save it but am heading straight for the bank, I lean off away from the bank with all my might but still hit it with my foot, taking a chunk out of the bank and scattering dust everywhere, bouncing back into the road and carrying on! See the sequence of photo’s from Sport Pics here, Going in http://www.sport-pics.co.uk/2006_Season/manx/lwt/6lwt6306.htm Going http://www.sport-pics.co.uk/2006_Season/manx/lwt/6lwt6309.htm Gone! http://www.sport-pics.co.uk/2006_Season/manx/lwt/6lwt6313.htm all three photo's are within a second or two... Ooops! 

I had been having a good lap until then, but after seeing Speedy’s crash and nearly crashing myself (twice in one race), which is not something I want to do around the TT Course, I knocked it off for the rest of the lap, so much so that Kirk came back past me towards the end of the lap and I was well out of his sight when the whole Goosneck thing happened, but hey… I just wanted to get home and didn't want anything else to happen, after all, I wasn't doing anything differnet to normal or riding any different up until then, but it would just let go suddenly half way through a corner... not good.

I finished 9^th, which is fair enough and that last lap was just over 104mph, someone said to me afterwards, hey… it’s an improvement, well actually it wasn’t, as I finished 8^th in 2004 with much the same race average on my own VFR400, but I should’ve done better this time. I had a serious lack of practice on a machine I didn’t know so well and the front tucking turned out to be the ride height being too steep, coupled with the 364’s who’s front profile is very steep compared to the Super Corsa that the chassis had been set up on, Kev (who built the bike) said he'd set it up the same as Mark Castles but, without proper practice, we didn't get proper set up time, but hey, shit happens and you live and learn and at least I was at the finish in one piece, unlike some.

I went to the beer tent for a Voddy and at this point had been told my mate Speedy was ok. A little while later I was taken to one side and told it was spinal injuries and so, dashed off to hospital to see him, when I got there they wouldn’t let me in to see him which upset me, I saw a few other of his close friends down there and waited for more news for a little while. It’s not a good situation for anyone to be in and it all got to me at this point, I had a good little cry at the hospital and also in my car driving back to the paddock, after Tommy and Gav in 2004, this was all a little too close and with Alan crashing heavily in practice too... well, it can be a tough game. When I got back to the paddock my mum got me a double Vodka and my dad got me a carvery sandwich (great parents!) and then I had to do an interview with Paul Lindsay for Irish Racer magazine, which I had arranged earlier in the week to do, Paul was great as he knew I’d been a little upset, but I have to say, the picture he took of me did me no favours at all as my eyes were all swollen from crying and he used it for the main pic on the article… lovely!

The evening’s presentation was a good do and we all got to carry Aka up twice for his historic double victory and watch him lift the HUGE Senior trophy up above his head… brave (or silly) man! I got the Lesley Anne Trophy too and we all headed off to Colours for the obligatory piss up, followed by chips cheese and gravy and the long walk back up the hill again!!

See you next year (Ok… this year now)

Cheers
Carolynn.x

Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year to all.xx

My race Highlights page has been updated and also the 2006 results page.

I also will get my MGP Race Diary on very soon, I promise!

Cheers for now,

Carolynn.xx

I'd just like to extend my Condolences to Phil Wain and his mother for the loss of his father and her husband, Walter Wain.

He was an enthusiastic supporter of all motorcycle racing and always a pleasure to chat to whenever they called by at a race meeting.

My thoughts are with you at this time.

Carolynn

Just a quick not to say that there is an interview with me in

this month (October) so check it out www.irishracer.com The interview was done on MGP senior race day at the grandstand and I'd like to say thanks to Paul Lindsay for the opportunity.

Team MBR are at the Jurby 4hr Endurance this weekend, my good buddy Aka and his mechanic Rolly landed last night, as did Ian Pattinson and a pre-race knees-up was had down at team HQ, cracking night it was too. The endurance should be a good race, I just hope the weather holds out for us, though it's not looking promising in the forecast! Gav Hunt and Nige are one MBR team, Aka and Ian Pattinson another and myself and Graham Taubman on the MBR RVF400... should be a good craic!

Sorry for the lack of updates lately but I'm mad busy with work and various other things but, an MGP race week report will follow soon!

Cheers,

Carolynn.xx

Just a quick note to say that some new photo's have been added to the 'Manx Grand Prix 2006' Gallery, thanks again to Richard Dawson for the action shots and Stephen Davidson of Pacemaker Press International for the trophy shot! You can find Richards phot's on his website: http://photos.tt-2007.com/main.php

MGP Diary part 3 coming up soon.

I would also like to say how sorry I am about the Death of Darren Lindsay at Killalane the other week and my thought are with his family.

Take it easy for now,

Carolynn.xx

Weds 23rd Aug

Went to see Alan late last night with MB and Aka, he was pretty dosed up but was already talking about getting fit for the TT! Can't keep a good man down and I hope he does get fit soon, not for racing reasons, just as a mate.

Practice was delayed tonight becuse some fool spilt Deisel all the way from Stella Maris up to Guthries just before the roads closed, it's funny how these things always happen just before the roads close... if you were a cynic, you could be forgiven for wondering why these things always happen during MGP week. First out is the 600 and I manage to tag on to the end of the first 30 away, so I get away pretty handy, which is good. The bike is feeling good and even with waved yellows and oil flags for 6 miles (!!) I lapped at 107.6 mph, which I'm happy with as I know I'm probably more cautious than most when it comes to slippery stuff! My helmet is causing me some problems too, the wind from my screen is buffeting my helmet and pushing it against my face, I must get a larger screen.

When I get back, it's a quick drink and change of helmet to the one with a clear visor on for when the light starts to fade, but, as it turns out, I needn't have worried! The bike is still not pulling again, it feels flat as f*** (sorry) again and I don't think it's carburation at all. I pull in at Ballacraine and it's like being in a racing paddock! Fitz (TT sidecar boy) kindly lends me his phone, Norman Knean is the TM there, Marian Broadhead (race sec at ARA for years) is marshalling plus a host of other faces, Dave Kneen took some (very unflattering!) photo's (sorry Dave, didn't realise it was you at the time!) and I have a lovely little wait until I can be picked up. While I'm waiting I see Speedy's van go past so I realise he's broken down again too. iT'S Going well this week in the MBR Lightweight/Ultralighweight catagory!

Thurs 24th Aug

We, well I say we, I am off to Slicks Dyno today as we need to get the 400 sorted once and for all, Kev's been working all night before having to leave the Island and go to BSB, not an ideal set up, but it's beyond my control. So, Dan and I stick the 400 in the van and head up to Bride. Mickey Grose is up there with his ex-Paul Corrin MGP winning bike too. Once we get on the Dyno it's clear that something is not right at all, Slick, Dan and I spend a few hours trying lots of different things and in the end, we decide to leave it at Slicks overnite for him to see what he can come up with. It means I'm gonna miss out on a practice session tonight, but we need to sort it.

Practice is delayed AGAIN because of a deisel spill in exactly the same spot, today they know it's a bus, great! It really is ridiculous. Eventually we get under way and it's just me and the 600 tonight, I am really enjoying riding it and we have it set up well now, first lap I'm a little cautious through the slippy stuff (obviously!) and we have to use the laft hand side of the road in quite a few places where we should be crossing over on the racing line, through waterworks is the worst bit, I feel sorry for the flag marshals at these places! On my flying lap, I see a newcomer pulling out who I got stuck behind the other night for a little while, I hope he doesn't get close to me but he does, he passed me through Crosby and I end up getting tangled up with him for the whole lap, passing me on straights or the brakes and then holding me up through the fast, twisty stuff which is very frustrating! Anyway, I did 108.5mph but it would've been faster (for both of us!) if he'd sat behind and learnt a little but, it's only practice and there's no point getting frustrated. I get back and the track is still open so we chuck some fuel in and try and get out for another but I'm about 5 seconds too late... bugger! Never done 3 on the 600 in practice and would've liked that, nevermind!

Mickey Grose put in the fastest lap of the 400's tonight at 105.5mph, I hope Slick gets my bike sorted...

Fri 25th Aug

I'm off to Slick's again today, this time armed with new battery, wiring loom, CDI unit, plugs, my dad brings the coils and HT leads off my 400 and we swap each thing individually, but it's still the same, Graham Taubman is there with his bike (seems to be the 400's that need all the bloody work!) and after another couple of hours swapping electrical components and running the bike on the dyno with the carbs open just to make sure again, it's still no better. Slick has more work to do with other people so, it's game over here. Just as I'm packing up Graham asks about my 400 which hasn't run since last years MGP when it broke down, if I had time I'd try and fix it and practice on that but, we haven't time so Graham very kindly offers to lend me his spare bike, an NC29, so that I can at least get some practice in, Thanks Graham! So, I pack up and head back to the paddock to drop off the RVF and then go to his garage and pick up his CBR. It needs a bit of prep, bolts drilling and wire-locking etc. and it is pouring down at the moment too but I want to prep it just in case practice does run. The 600 is prepped, inters are on and we put it through scrutineering, just as we are about to take the CBR up they announce practice is cancelled, phew! So we fetch the 600 back down to my awning, which now has half a 750, 2 400's and a 600 in it, not bad for an awning that wasn't supposed to be used originally!

As it's still early, Dan says what I'm thinking 'why don't we go and see if we can get your 400 running?' So, in the van we jump and head off up to my Mum and Dads in Ballaugh, my 400 is looking a bit bare at the moment too, so we set about putting all the things we've borrowed back on, wheels, rad, coils etc. etc. and as we're doing this my Dad spots a little broken wire at the rear of the bike, he fixed the wire, we empty the float bowls of fuel as it's been sat since last MGP when it broke down on me and try to fire it up. I can't look! It coughs, splutters and after initially only firing on two, bursts into life! Phew again, at least this way I can practice on a bike I know and its the same make and size as the bike I've entered. We put the bike in the van and head back down to the paddock and head off out to buy Dan a beer!

Sat 26th Aug

Practice tonight looks like it's gonna be damp so we opt for inters on both bikes, I'm not a big fan of damp conditions around here and I just wobbled round on the 600 tonight and I mean wobbled! It wasn't like it was the other day with drizzle in the air and dry roads, the roads were pretty wet in places and that, I don't like! Not on the 600 anyway as I'm not as well practiced in wet conditions as I am on the 400, I decided only to do one lap so I get chance to have a bit of a breather between the practice sessions, have a chat to a few of the boys and let people know how the conditions were.

I got away at the front of the bunch on the 400 which was good and just went out to get 2 laps in as I'd not qualified yet having only done one lap! The handling wasn't brilliant but the bike was going well and I started to really enjoy it! On lap two, I got a bit of a slide through the 13th... oops! I thought I was taking it fairly steady too as conditions were pretty tricky, wet in lots of places and it started to rain as I came down off the mountain, as I pulled in, Dan was there looking very pleased and it turned out I was 3rd quickest at over 101mph! Well, I didn't intend that, I only wanted to get the laps in and qualify, so, job done... roll on the races now!

Sorry to hear Peter Symes and Maria crashed tonight, both in the same place but at different times.

Its another team dinner tonight, this time to mark the end of practice week and then, you guessed it, off to Colours!

Some more photo's have been added to my MGP '06 gallery and they are smashin'! Thanks to Richard Dawson for those. He will be adding the Lightweight/Ultralightweight gallery soon, so we should have some of those coming too, check out his TT'06 and MGP '06 galleries here: http://photos.tt-2007.com/main.php?g2_itemId=4424&g2_enterAlbum=1 a link to the website has also been added on my Links Page.

Thanks also to John O'Keeffe who has given me a DVD of photo's from the Junior and Ultralightweight, all the photo's in the gallery are credited.

MGP Diary part 2, on it's way!

Cheers

Carolynn.xx

Saturday 19th Aug

Unfortunately, but to the relief of myself and probably a lot of others, the practice was cancelled this evening due to bad weather. I have to say, I didn't want to go out but felt I should if practice went ahead, so I wasn't too disappointed when it was cancelled, saved me having to make the decision! So, no practice but we had a team dinner to attend to mark the start (or not as the case may be!) of the MGP 2006. Top team chef, Eddie Murphy came down to the paddock and catered for us all and then it was off down to Colours with top racers diet, chips, cheese and gravy on the way home, it's gotta be done!

Sunday 20th Aug

I had a bit of running about to do today and went up to the garage to see Kev, a bit of stickering up still needed doing so I sorted some of that and then escaped to my Mum and Dad's to do a Sunday roast and get a bit of R&R before the weeks practice started.

Monday 21st Aug

I needed to borrow some bits off my 400 this morning as I want to put my bigger top rad on the RVF, so I got up and set about doing that, the RVF isn't running right and we think its carburation at the moment so we're also off to Jurby to set about sorting that out. Whilst removing my rad, I managed to have a fight with the handlebar on my 400 and of course, I came off worst! Within minutes I have a huge lump above my eye and can see bruising coming up under my eye... oops (it got worse as the days went on too, much to most peoples amusement!)

Up at Jurby, Ryan's there getting his classic bikes set up, we have a little chat then it's time to try the 400, it's still not right so, Kev thinks he knows what he needs to do so we pack up and head back to the garage where he's gonna change the jetting. There isn't time to do it at Jurby so we'll have to do it and then go out tonight and try it.

We're out on the 400 first tonight, I tell Kev if it's not pulling, I'll pull in at QuarterBridge. I set off and it isn't pulling right and feels flat, like it's not firing on all four but it's not slow enough to cause anyone a problem, not with the classic bikes etc. so I decide to carry on and see if it clears. I do pass a few people but Steve Linsdell passes me on his Paton, I passed Ryan at the 11th but I don't come accross many people, Lougher passed me at Brandywell and indicates to follow... I wish I could! I could've passed him downhill, but thats about it. It felt so slow and I kept finding myself looking at the scenery! So, I only did one lap which was 92mph, then it was out on the 600. The 600 felt great, we had it set up well and I just went out to enjoy myself. I felt fairly quick but was surprised when I got back to find I'd done over 106mph and was 21st quickest, it felt more like 102ish. So, I was happy with that, lets hope we get the 400 sorted soon...

Practice results: http://www.iomguide.com/races/mgp/manx-grand-prix-results-db.php?race=435 and http://www.iomguide.com/races/mgp/manx-grand-prix-results-db.php?race=439

Tuesday 22nd Aug

Another trip to Jurby was planned today, we still haven't got the 400 sorted so we need to get up there again, we trundle up and down and try a couple of different jets and hope we've got it sorted, again we've run out of time at Jurby, so we'll see how it goes tonight...

We're out on the 600 first tonight and it is announced that we will be for every session from now on, down to the fast boys catching clangers last night, can't be a bad idea for safety. It's a bit iffy weather-wise and we are told there's showers alll round the circuit, I'm not keen on bad weather here, don't mind too much on short circuits but this is different. On the first lap there is a crash at Black Dub and on account of the fact I try not to look, I didn't realise it was actually one of my team-mates, Alan Jackson. There's rain flags the whole way around but the surface is pretty dry apart from in the usual places so, I don't take it too steady apart from when I get drizzle on my visor and I'm cautious, coming up to the start and finish I contemplate pulling in but decide against it, good choice as on the 2nd lap there's very little drizzle, most of the rain flags have gone and the road is dry in most places, the onlt problem was a little mist at Brandywell, even still, I didn't push it too much. I came in after the 2nd lap and decided to give it 5 or 10 mins before I go out on the 400 as there's loads of clangers queueing up to go out. Just as I put my helmet on and make to go out though, they stopped the session, apparently the mist has come right down and those that are on the circuit have been stopped at Ramsey and will be escorted over the mountain by the travelling marshalls. What it does mean though is that I didn't get to test the 400, so off to Jurby AGAIN tomorrow!

When the time sheets come out I'm delighted to discover I was 10th quickest on the 600 at nearly 105mph, pleased with that. Results here: http://www.iomguide.com/races/mgp/manx-grand-prix-results-db.php?race=442

More from me soon,

Cheers

Carolynn.xx

A selection of photo's have been added to the Galleries, please take a look. More will be added as we recieve them. Thanks to Steve @ http://www.racingpix.im for some of those and also to 'Rusty' Russel Lee @ http://www.sport-pics.co.uk for a cracking photo of my little mishap at the Gooseneck, check it out http://www.sport-pics.co.uk/2006_Season/manx/lwt/6lwt6313.htm the one previous to it is a goodun too and there's some cracking photo's of all classes at the MGP. Both guys have been added to the links page too.

MGP report to follow soon and I'll also have some updates on Nigel John too, he had a long operation on his spine yesterday and we are all hoping for the best.

Cheers

Carolynn.xx

Firstly, sorry for the lack of updates during the MGP 2006, its a hectic two weeks and I haven't been able to get near to a computer at all to do this blog.

It was quite a successful MGP for me and certainly for the MBR team, Aka did the Junior and Senior double which is fantastic with the junior race being the closest finish ever in the history of the MGP, he won by just 0.01 of a second! Roy Richardson finally finished a race since 2003 and won the 350 classic, well done guys!

I got 33rd in the Junior, race average 109.520mph and a fastest lap of 20mins 16s- 111.691mph and I was also 9th in the Ultralightweight, race average 102.34mph and a fastest lap of 21mins 44s- 104.084mph, even with nearly highsiding at the Gooseneck and clouting the bank in an attempt to save it... Ooops! Race and practice results can be found at http://www.iomguide.com/races/database/rider-page.php?rider=42&event_id=8

I also won the 'Lesley-Anne Trophy' for the best performance by a lady competitor at the meeting. Full report and photo's to follow soon.

Unfortunately Alan Jackson crashed at Black Dub in practice and has leg injuries and my good friend Nigel 'Speedy' John crashed at Waterworks2 in the lightweight and has been flown to Liverpool yesterday (Sun) for an operation on his broken vertabrae, Alan is also in Liverpool so I hope they get to keep each other company.

More from me soon,

Cheers

Carolynn.xx

 Well, whilst everyone else is making their way TO the Island, I’m doing completely the opposite and have gone the other way. I had the pleasure of the Steam Racket Co. for company last night and then the lovely little sprint down the M6 to Liverpool for a kip, finally getting a rest at 2am after leaving the house at 7am the previous morning… shattered!

 The reason? Well the 400 was at Cadwell Park today with Kev of KS Performance, this was all a day later than originally planned as we should’ve been testing at Mallory yesterday, but that didn’t quite go to plan so today it was and then I was to bring them back with me as Kev also has two other bikes to look after at the MGP for Mark Castle and they won’t all fit in his van at once, well, not with two weeks worth of tools, spares etc. etc! I’ll then be meeting Kev on the Heysham boat back to the Island tomorrow, to then drop the bikes off at the garage in the I.O.M where they will live under his and Andy’s tender care for the next two weeks… sorted!

 Unfortunately this means I will now miss signing-on on Friday afternoon, which I would’ve liked to have done to get it out of the way so, I’ll now have to do that Saturday morning, it’s funny, you wait all year for the MGP and then, all of a sudden, it’s here and there’s no time left! Every time it happens, it doesn’t matter how organised I think I am, it always ends in a rush. Never mind, it’s only once a year I suppose!

 I believe there is concern over the amount of Marshals at the moment, so if anyone out there has nothing else to do, please go and sign up as a marshal and help out. It’s not hard (despite what some of the so-called bike press has to say about it) I’ve marshalled in my spectating days and as long as you follow the instructions of your sector Marshal and flag Marshals and keep a calm head in the case of an emergency, you’ll be fine. There are highly skilled and trained people to make the important decisions but they do need a lot of people to be pairs of hands/eyes for clearing the road, keeping an eye on the surroundings, other people etc. and we can’t race without them. I’m hoping to sign up for the only race day I’m not riding (Monday) as I’d like to do my bit.

 We will be putting regular updates, photo’s, practice times etc. on the site throughout the Manx (Hopefully) otherwise, by the end of the two weeks I’ve forgotten half of it and the other half has all rolled into one big mush!

 Good luck to everyone else out there this week too,

Cheers and see you soon,

Just a quick note to say that my links page has been updated and a few links added to some of the interviews I've done and also a couple of press releases, more of those to follow soon.

News is a bit slow at the moment with the build up to the Manx Grand Prix but everything is coming together and I'm really looking forward to it.

We have most of our camp set up and I was there until 9 last night helping Martin, Juan and Quilly with the awnings, good to see my mates Maz and Huddy there and we'll be neighbours for the fortnight which is cool.

Anyway, more from me soon,

Cheers,

Carolynn.xx

Well, it seems that, according to the MGP program and the MGP numbers comtittee, that I get slower at the MGP every year! Which, of course, I don't.

Not only has there been a mistake in computing my start number for the Ultralightweight on the 400, which is where they put on computer everyones fastest lap time in that class and it sorts them into chronological order by speed, mine was put in a few mph less than what I have actually done on the 400, which should've been 104mph 2yrs ago- last year I broke down and so, I have ended up with starting at number 64 and the class starts at number 39... great. Considering I finished 8th in 2004 and even in my first year I finished 23rd, I am now starting further back than I have ever finished!

So, I start 48 on the 600 in the Junior and 64 (TBC!) on the 400 in the Ultralightweight.

In fairness to the person responsible for the error, they have admitted it was a mistake and have spoken to the Clerk of the Course and I will be moved up after practice if all goes well and there is a space... but still, very frustrating.

And now, to add insult to injury, whoever compiled the Ladies Fastest Lap Times in the program (I have a good idea who the incompetent fool is) has put me down as only having done 100.97mph which is the speed I did in 2003 which was my first year and I was only on the 400!! How difficult can it be to research less than 20 women who have competed on the TT course in the last 100 yrs? They never seem to get it right, so there's always someone not happy and this year its me! Incidentally, my fastest time is actually 108.71 which I did the first time I rode a 600 in 2004, my second year at the MGP and made me the second fastest woman.

Anyway, rant over, I'll just have to put it right out on track...

Cheers

Carolynn.xx

I've added a couple more really nice and quite scenic shots with thanks to Peter Hignett at http://www.petespixs.com very nice they are too!

I'm off to the UK with the 600 on Saturday evening as I'm taking it down to be refreshed, rebuilt and prepped for the MGP by the wonderful Kev Spurr at KS Performance in Nottingham. This is also where my 400 has been built and so, it'll be nice to get a proper peek at that and I will also be arranging some testing on it too, so more about that as it happens.

Good to see a few of the guys made it over the wet bit for Stu Bainborough and Rachels wedding on Saturday at the Hilton in Douglas, it was a cracking night and all the best to the lovely couple!

There's only three weeks to go on Saturday until the MGP and I can't wait! We'll be keeping the site and the Race Diary up to date for all of the MGP with all the news, practice results etc. as it happens.

Anyway, more from me soon,

Cheers,

Carolynn.xx

... A couple more photo's have been added to my southern 100 gallery go to: http://www.carolynnsells.com/page10.htm and as you can see Colin (from the guestbook!) the new leathers aren't too tight! I opted not to wear them for the race as they do need a bit of bedding in to make them more comfortable, but then they'll be right.

Full results of this years Southern 100 can found at http://www.southern100.com/results/2006/southern/06s100_index.htm

Good to hear everyone had a good day at Jurby Road, shame I had to leave the Island at the weekend or I would've loved another run out.

More from me soon,

Cheers

Carolynn.xx 

... and there's two of them, as, unbeknown to me, I had also been given a ride in the Senior Support race as well as the 600 B race. It was a great few days racing and lovely to see some friends doing well.

As most will know now, Wednesdays racing was cancelled after Lougher slipped off on the new surface at Great Meadow, it had been raining for a couple of hours and the riders described it as being like glass, thankfully he was unhurt as he wasn't going very fast as it was the warm up lap, but Great Meadow is flat out in 5th, changing up to 6th, so that puts into perspective how different a picture it could've been.

So, with no racing Wednesday, there's only one race in the morning before my first race of the day, the 600 B race. I was placed on the back row of the grid for this race with a qualifying lap of 2:51.299 after spending all practice getting the bike set up, I was on the same row as me mate Maz Hodgeson so we made a pact not to be too busy chin wagging and miss the start! Seriously though, being that far back (row 8) the plan was to get as good a start as possible... and thats exactly what I did!

I couldn't have asked for a better start and managed to fly past half the field before tipping into the first corner in about 12th/13th place. From then on I really got the bit between my teeth and started picking people off on each lap, making it into 6th place passing Adam Jones over the line for the last lap. I hung onto it until Cross Four Ways (over half the lap) when I knew I'd braked a little early but self-preservation was on my mind! Adam came up the inside, nearly didn't make it and squared the corner off, I nearly got back past him on the exit but he made it stick, I then got up along-side him at Stadium but wasn't brave enough to put a move on and probably wasn't quite close enough to do anything safely and then, exiting Castletown Corner a last squirt from me to try and pass him brought my front wheel right up (well, thats what it felt like!) in first gear, but it wasn't to be and I finished 7th. What a great race, one I enjoyed massively and the most since back in 2004, it was very close between about 5 or 6 of us apparently, but thankfully I wasn't thinking about those behind, just those in front! That last lap was my fastest at 2:39.882 and nearly 96mph, it was also the fastest for Adam and the two who finished directly behind me!

For the Senior Support race, my grid was originally the middle of the 8th row but when I got my grid position sticker in scrutineering, it was now row 9, right hand side?? Not sure why it changed but after chatting with my mates Gareth Costello and Keith McKay, there's had changed too... hmmm.

Again, the plan was to get a good start and work my way up, which I did, but not to as good effect as in the morning, a big bunch of us went into the first corner together and the second.... and the third and so on! We were all a bit bunched up but Gareth found a way through and I followed him, we worked our way through a fair few of the riders until Castletown Corner on the second lap when Gareth locked up both wheels, I thought he was gonna bin it and got distracted, I moved out of his direct line but didn't stop quick enough for the corner... ooops! I had to threpney-bit the corner and lost most of the places I'd made up, I got going again and started to pick my way through again, passed a couple into Iron Gate and then, on about lap 5 or so, did it again! My arms were getting a bit pumped up and I just missed getting down enough gears and went wide again, I was then behind a slightly slower rider and though I was a little faster than him into most places, just didn't manage to get past him and make it stick. My times weren't quite as quick and my placing was a fair bit further down feild, but there were 7 or 8 1000's and 750's in this race, but I still enjoyed myself! So that was it, time to pack up and get ready for the presentation party.

I think I partied a little too much, but hey, I was celebrating winning the trophy for 'The Best Performance By A Lady Rider' and, we think, being the fastest woman around the Billown circuit ever, so I was a little over-excited! Its not something I do often...

We have added some excellent photo's to the Southern 100 gallery, thanks to Dave Kneen again for those! http://www.manxphotosonline.com

We've also added a new link to Peter Hignetts Photography website on the links page http://www.petespixs.com and thanks to him for some great photos too from Jurby, there may be some from the Southern so I'm going to have a look.

Thanks to Gail and Gareth for helping me pack down the awning this morning when none of us had the right head on for it and to Dad for rescuing me when I ran out of deisel on the way home too... but thats another story, oops!

Cheers,

Carolynn.xx

We set up the MBR truck and awning on sat evening in the pouring rain and wind, which wasn't pleasant in my lighweight posh work clothes and slip on heels! As it turned out, putting it up on sat wasn't a good Idea and when I tipped up at the paddock on Sunday evening after signing on, there was only a frame still standing! The damage actually wasn't too bad as some kind people (cheers Gareth Costello and the Jackson camp) had rescued it for us and Quilly turned up early sun to take the rest down.

So, Monday I brought down my dads awning and got that set up, I'd checked the bike over and prepped it on Sunday, but me and Richard Rose gave it another going over and did all the usual checks. It was decided by myself and Kev (Spurr) that we would leave the suspension as was and look to changing it after first practice, we knew it wouldn't be set up right as I'd been doing short circuits amd the Billown Circuit is Very Bumpy with a capital V and B!! It was way too hard in first practice and was kicking me up the backside all the way round the back section so we backed the preload, compression and rebound off on the front and back and went out for second practice, this time it was squatting down at the back making the front light, so we decided on a few more changes to the rear in the morning, ready for third practice on Tues evening.

The bike felt loads better for Tues evening but we only got 3 laps, which is not enough and I was only just getting going when the chequered flag came out. I did knock 3 seconds off my lap time but felt given another couple of laps, I'd have knocked a few more off, but nevermind.

I did get chance to watch the first two races and cheer a few people on though, which is a nice change when you're riding yourself, there's not usually time for that!

There's no racing for me today (wed) which is a shame as the 125/400 class is being run seperately this year and I reckon it'll be a good race, plus I'd have had more track time, but hey!

Thurs I have a race at 11am and another in the afternoon, so more from me after then.

Thanks to Dave Kneen for some good photos of practice, we'll have them added to the gallery soon!

Ta ta for now and take it easy,

Carolynn.xx

Unfrotunately, my new MBR RVF isn't going to be ready in time for the forthcoming Southern 100 races next week, so it looks like I'm going to have to sit out the two 400 races. I was very kindly offered the loan of the sister bike but it was decided that it was better all round if I didn't ride it and that, at the end of the day, the bigger picture is to have mine ready and well tested in time for the MGP. I will be testing it soo hopefully, so more on that as it happens.

I still have the 600 ride though and I'm looking forward to a play on that!

I'm off down tot the S100 paddock tonight to meet Martin and Quilly etc. to get the truck and awning set up, so I'll have a nosey at who's down there already. Signing on is between 7-9pm Sunday and practice starts Monday evening, roads closing at 6pm.

I will try and post a little practice report each evening if I can and then a race report, only the one though I'm afraid, not three as orignally intended... ah well, nevermind!

Take it easy for now,

Cheers,

Carolynn.xx

Simply the only leathers to have on the roads.... Thanks Sam!!

www.celtic-leathers.com

More Photo's have been added from Jurby to the site (thanks Dave Kneen at www.manxphotosonline.com and www.wildcardphotos.co.uk ) and a bit of re-organisation has been going on... hope it all looks ok?

Well, the build up to the Southern 100 is mounting and I'm really looking forward to it, hopefully everything will be ready in time and we will all have a good and safe run out, which is what it's all about, after all! I'm looking forward to seeing my mate Marie Hodgson there and it makes a change for there to be so many girlies at one road race meeting (5 in all) you never know... the mud fight might happen yet Martin! Only because the sun has barely raised it's head since I got to the Island and I seem to be copping the blame for it from all angles! (You know who you are!!) In fact, I bumped into Gail Musson et al, on the boat tonight and it seems she's on a mission this year too... good luck Gail!

I'm very happy to be joined in the Bullock camp by some old friends this year, Of course there's my very good friend Nigel 'Speedy' John and also, Aka and Alan Jacko. I dropped off two 250's, two engines, a shed-load of bodywork and a box full of exhausts to Alan tonight so that Speedy can pick them up, so, looks like the MBR MGP roller coaster has started! All that said... it is gonna be a very wierd this year, without Big Gav (TT superstar and all-round top bloke!) Ian Pattinson and of course, Seamus, who I'm really hoping makes a recovery soon, thinking of you mate.

On that note, I shall say ta ta for now,

More from me soon,

Carolynn.xx

New photos from Snetterton have been added to the gallery and hopefully I'll have some from Jurby to add soon too.

Cheers,

Carolynn.xx

Saturday at Jurby was lovely, it was overcast but very warm and dry too. I qualified 17th in the 1300 centre championship and 16th in the 600 race, with two races to follow in each class. I got a rubbish start in the first 1300 open race and finished 18th. In the first of the 600 races, I got a great start and pushed myself up to 11th after nearly collecting Bessie in the second chicane! A bit of a dice with Bessie, Chris Bray and then Phil Kneen meant I ended the race 14th. In the 2nd of the 1300 races I finished 12th, then the 2nd of the 600 races was great, I had a good little ding dong with Chris Bray again and finished 13th with a fastest lap of 1.18.086, which was my fastest of the day. A good days racing and I'm learning more and more on my MBR600.

Sunday was a wash-out! It poured down and there was inches of standing water on the new section of the circuit, which wouldn't clear, It did give me a chance to run on full wets for the first time ever (used to be Dunlop 364 girl!) plus it was my first time out in the wet since my wet crash at Tandragee last year, so, it was good experience. The Organisors decided to abandon after practice as the reports were that the weather would not get better and the standing water was building up. So, I got to relax on Sunday afternoon for a change, which was nice!

Results page has been updated and I'll have some new photo's soon too.

More from me soon,

Take it easy,

Carolynn.xx

I've taken the plunge and after years of thinking about it, I'm moving to the Ilse of Man. Great, I can go and practice on my favourite circuit whenever I like... well, not really, but I am looking forward to going.

I saw the advert for the job when I was over racing in March, sent an email and a CV and here we are, mind you, I only got the work permit yesterday (Tues) and I got the job in April, so it's been tough keeping my mouth shut (as anyone who knows me would agree!) I have been dying to tell everyone for ages, but didn't want to until I had the permit sorted... just in case it didn't work out.

So thats it, a new life...

I'm off to Jurby this weekend for a two day-er, I'm really looking forward to that after finally getting on a bike last weekend, then it's the Southern 100 in July, I'd like to sneak the BMCRC/MRO at Cadwell on the 8th/9th July in too... but we'll have to see,

Anyway, Take it easy for now,

Cheers

Carolynn.xx

I was at Snetterton this weekend with Bemsee and MRO running in the Supersport 600 class and getting some much needed track time at last! Work has been a major stumbling block between me and my racing in the last 18 months, but, that is all soon to change... more on that soon.

Back to Snetterton, it was only my second time on the bike this year and also only my second on a short circuit on the 600 so far, I am trying to get back into scratching after a two and a half year absence from it and four years since I raced short circuits regularly, so I finished work at 7.30pm in Batley, Yorks. and hot-footed it down to the circuit to meet Kev Spurr of KS Performance, who took my bike etc. down to the circuit. Kev has rebuilt my suspension for me and we needed to get it set up, also with him were his mates Tony and Pete who were also a great help, thanx Guys!

We made some adjustments after the first qualifying session (which was more of a sighting session for me as it'd been a while!) and I pulled in during the second session for some more changes, after the second session had finished, we had a little chat and Kev looked at the tyres and decided to change the front one more time and that was it, the bike was spot on and handled lovely, that man knows his stuff! During the weekend I knocked four seconds off my fastest race lap time and improved steadily throughout. The results weren't important to me, I was on a stock bike against some seriously fast and tuned machines, but I learnt a hell of a lot from it and that is why I was there.

Next up, I am off to the Isle of Man on Friday for a two day meeting at Jurby Airfiled, news and results will follow.

Well done to all the guys at the TT, especially the MBR boys and Gavin Bell, well done under tough circumstances guys.

Not so good news about Si, another of member of team MBR, crashing heavily at Billown in the Steampacket races on Saturday, get well soon mate,

Take it easy for now,

Cheers,

Carolynn.xx

A BIG GOOD LUCK to all my team-mates at MBR, Gavin Bell of KS Performance and everyone else I know at the TT! The sun is shining and I really hope it stays that way for you all.

To Seamus, I really hope you get better soon mate.

Thinking of you all,

Cheers,

Carolynn.xx

Sorry to hear about some more of our friends at the TT getting injured, Molly and Craig, Dave Bell, Keith Stewart and Robbie Silvester, I hope you all get better soon guys.

Also Roy Richardson who had a bump at the pre-TT classic races, I hope you're on the mend too mate.

Lets hope the rest of the next week or so is less eventful than the last...

Take it easy,

Cheers,

Carolynn.xx

I would just like to send my best wishes and sincerest thoughts to the family and friends of my team mate and a great bloke, Seamus Greene. I got home from filming at 12.30am tues morning, switched on my laptop and this was the first I heard of the incident. I am in regular contact with Martin to keep updated on his progress and have my fingers and everything crossed in the hope he makes a full and speedy recovery.

I would also like to extend my best wishes to Jun Maeda and hope he makes a full recovery also.

For regular updates and more information, please visit http://www.mbr.co.tt

Thinking of you big fella,

Cheers,

Carolynn.xx

My van has turned up safe and sound... well kind of, but I have it back anyway, which is something.

After the dissapointment of missing Brands, my next race will now be Snetterton on 10th/11th June with BMCRC and MRO which i am looking forward to, its a while since I was last there, either for racing or watching, but I always enjoyed the place so here's looking to it!

After that I'll probably take a trip to the Island for Jurby on the 17th/18th June, back to Cadwell on the 8th/9th July with BMCRC and MRO again and then the Southern 100... well, that's the plan anyway, not that anything ever seems to go to plan or run smoothly for me!

A BIG GOOD LUCK to all at team MBR this TT fortnight and also to Roy Richardson for the Pre-TT classic races tomorrow, unfortunately work is getting in my way BIG time at the moment and I won't be able to go over but I'll be keeping up to date with all the reports etc. and will probably be on the phone every day,

More from me soon,

cheers,

Carolynn.x

Well, thats it, my MGP entries have been accepted for both the Junior and Ultralightweight races, I got the lovely little letter a couple of weeks ago but it's been a bit of a hectic time for me lately and I haven't had time to update the site.

I was supposed to be at Brands Hatch this weekend with the BMCRC and MRO club but, Lady Luck just hasn't been on my side lately. Not only did I have that bump in my car the other week, but now my van has been stolen too! It only had my camping gear and folding bike ramp in it but it has left me stranded this weekend and I have had to pull out of a meeting at the last minute, which is very annoying! Here's a pic, if you see it...                                                                          

It still needed repainting and various other things but it was MY VAN! Thanks... NOT, whoever you are.

More from me soon,

Take it easy,

Carolynn.x

Well, that's it, my MGP entries are in and from now on, it's a countdown to the MGP 2006. I'm entered on my MBR Superstock 600RR and MBR RVF400 and I can't wait!

Training has been going well, though I may have to take it easy this week as I had a little accident on my way home from Sheffield last night (Friday) when a VW Golf decided to take a close look at my rear bumper and shunted me from behind. Even though I kept my foot on the brake as I watched him coming at me in my rear view mirror, I still went into the 4x4 in front of me, but he didn't seem to notice and drove off!! Anyway, my Seat Ibiza rear bumper seems to have done it's job very well and I've escaped with only a little damage to the car but a very stiff neck! Ouch.

Anyway,

Until next time, take it easy,

Carolynn.x

Hello and welcome to my new website, here I will keep you up to date with my seasons progress and my teams progress.

My new Martin Bullock RVF400 is almost ready and my MB superstock 600 is also getting some treatment from Kev Spurr at the moment and I hope to be out again on the 12th May with Kev and the BEMSEE club. Until then, it's plenty of trips down the gym and preparation for the coming season.

I've already had my first ever outing on the 600 on a short circuit and I was fairly happy with it, it was also my first time on a short circuit in over two years!I've only ridden the 600 three times before that, at the 2004 and 2005 MGP's and the 2005 Southern 100, so the emphasis this year is track time!

More news soon,

Take it easy,

Carolynn.x