Saturday

I picked up some friends from the airport in the morning and took them to their house and sorted them out. Then it was up to the Grandstand to see the teams and check that everything was ok.
 
We knew about the changes in schedule and further delays so there was a lot of waiting around although I went to the hospitatlity tents to do some work and keep all the event sponsors and guests happy. Once the practice got cancelled, I just went back to the house and dossed around a bit.
 
It's been disappointing today as I really wanted to get out on the 600 again. With the lack of track time, I still don't know how the handling's going to be nor the fuelling and it's the same with the Paton. I haven't been able to have a proper go on it yet. It's not too great a scenario but that's the Isle of Man for you.
 
After the lap on the stocker on Friday night, I really wanted one more lap with the Superbike as well. I'm really happy with the bike and enjoy riding it but the lap on the stocker unsettled me a bit. I couldn't wait for it to be over and it's made me a bit nervous for the Superbike race. I don't want to hold Bruce up so will probably have a word with him to make sure I keep out of his way and let him by as soon as he's caught me.
 
I think I can lap quickly but just not quite as quick as what the likes of Bruce, Hutchy, John etc will be doing. You never know though, I might surprise myself. Anyway, I'm off to a barbeque tonight where I'll be having loads of non-alcoholic drinks, honest...

Friday

The daytime was the usual groundhog day but it's getting important now and we're running out of practice time before race day. I need to talk to the teams as much as possible to ensure we're all fully prepared.
 
There was a change in the practice schedule too and we were out later due to the sidecars going out first. I'm not a fan of going out late in the evening as travelling at 200mph with the sun setting isn't much fun...
 
Anyway, I took the Paton out first and was told not to over-rev it as we're down to one engine but coming out of Braddan I got a massive tank slapper, which I thought was odd. I thought maybe I'd caught a bump wrong but at Union Mills it did it again and when I looked down the steering damper was hanging down. That put paid to the lap so I literally just wobbled round although I was surprised it was a 110mph+ lap. Unfortunately, I didn't learn much so it was a bit of a waste of time.
 
I jumped on the SMT/Carbridge Racing 600 but was held on the slip road for four minutes waiting for a safe gap in the traffic as there were that many bikes out on track. By the time I got out, the tyres had gone cold and the bike handled terribly. I came in, made a few alterations and went back out but got overtaken by a load of Superbikes which ruined my lap. They were quick down the straights but holding me up in the corners so it was also a bit of a waste of time. I'm a bit lost with the 600 at the minute to be honest.
 
I jumped on the Penz13.com/Bathams BMW stocker but I still haven't done a flying lap on it. But the sun was so strong, it wasn't an enjoyable lap at all. It was like a strobe light and I was completely blinded in places and couldn't see a thing. It was really scary and a horrible lap - I just didn't know what was going to happen with the sun.
 
It wasn't a good night for me bit I was looking forward to some nice steaks when I got back to the house. The chef didn't turn up though so it was down to the chippy for some fish and chips accompanied by a bottle of Bathams. Or two...