This was written as we went and is also on our website blog http://www.freewebs.com/pirate-racing/blog.htm
(Thursday 17th April) The first race weekend is finally here! I realised today that I was actually quite nervous. It was a slow drive to Anglesey and took over four hours. I quite enjoyed most of it though and some of the scenery along the A5 was lovely.
As I arrived at the track I saw that Trev had just arrived as well. I think his average speed is rather less than mine - he said they were down to 19mph up one hill. 
We walked the track and it was surprising how steep some parts were. It also felt very grippy underfoot. It was also very cold and windy. We chatted to plenty of familiar faces and just started to settle into the weekend.
Trev made burgers in the Pirate Racing HQ caravan and then I headed back to the hotel. I had a beer and a chat with Carl and Rich from RC Racing (or is that Arsey?) and hit the sack before midnight. I slept okay but woke feeling tense.
(Friday 18th April) I've done the first session and the laptimer worked. My best was a 1.29.8. I need to get closer to 1.20. I do wish this nervous feeling would go.
The second session was okay but I hadn't put my timer on. Trev passed me as I fiddled with the timer and the good news is that I didn't pass him back. His confidence is coming back.
Session 3 and we wait for the previous group's red flag to be cleared. Then we go out and a red flag on lap 1. I'm a bit more focused and am catching Trev but every time I line him up someone passes me. The bloody laptimer is only working intermittently but at least it clocks a 1.26.58 which is better. I hope it works this afternoon. Lunch now and hopefully Trev will swap my brake discs for me.
Good old Trev sorted my brake discs and seat unit over lunchtime. Fourth session and I'm okay, mainly getting passed although I take a few. Bloody laptimer is doing every second lap so I can't see what times I'm doing. Looks like 1.26 / 1.27's. Rich tells me he is doing 1.24 which sounds about right. My tyres have just about had enough I think so I'll do the last 2 sessions and then swap them.
I've sorted the laptimer issue. I must have pushed buttons randomly and set the config to 2 magnetic strips! Trev suggested it and he was right. I just did a 1.24.23 but richie is on 1.21's now. Trev said he was right behind me which is good.
I was a bit ragged on the last session probably because I was tired. I absolutely nailed the back straight on one lap but was then really struggling to stop before Rocket.
So, we both lasted the day unscathed. I took 3 seconds off my best from last time here and Trev took about 10. It is great he is back together. I swapped my tyres and then did scrutineering and race sign-on. Trev, Gemma and I then went to the Queens Head at Llanfaelog. I bought them their meal as a thanks for the burgers and Trev's help. I dropped them back and after filling with fuel, I went back to the hotel and had a swifty with Carl, Rich and his Dad/bro/cousins. Then back for a bath and hopefully a good sleep.
(Saturday 19th April) Just done practice. I was very steady on lap 1 as I had new tyres and the warmers had hardly been on. I got on it ok after that and did a 1.26.64. Bloody ankle hurts due to the boots. I must soften them.
I've taken some painkillers and done qualifying. I did 1.24.197 and Trev was about .5 secs behind. There are 4 or 5 slower people but we are last on the 1000 grid and second last overall. I'm reasonaby pleased.
The Race: I was the starter because I had the better qualifying time. We did one lap from pits and then lined our bikes up in order. We were the second last. Then we did 2 real warm-ups and re-assembled. Trev held my bike and we knew we'd never practiced this. The Welsh flag dropped and I ran (well hobbled) across the track. It started fine and off I went. I overtook some guys and a couple others who had stalled. We were off and it was fun. I thought I did the first session reasonably well. It felt consistent but I haven't seen the times yet. After 20 minutes my left foot and right hand started going numb. I kept going and did my allocation but I was pleased to see Gemma hold up the FUEL (meant IN) sign on the pit board. Wobbler was helping in our pit (thanks mate) and did the transponder swap and tyre warmer stuff. Trev went off and seemed to be circulating fine.
My next session seemed to come very quickly. The drizzle, which had started 5 minutes before the race) had got heavier and soon people were falling. The pace car came out and we were going really slowly. It felt as if we were riding on marbles. The car went in and I never really got my mojo back. I had 2 major back twitches on the left entering the start finish and I think that sapped my confidence. I made my 30 minutes but knew they were poor.
Trev went out and seemed to get quicker and quicker. I was watching him at the same time as watching the infamous mr Bones duke it out near the front.
The chequered flag came down and I had no idea where we had finished - only that I had enjoyed it a lot. Oh I forget to mention that I had a fairing bashing with Yella. We both stayed on and I didn't even know it was him until he came upto me after!
So how did we do? Well, you could say we came 18th out of 22 in the 1000 class and 24th out of 32 overall. Or you could say we came last of the finishers in our class (albeit not by much). Either way it was fun and Trev did our fastest 2 laps on the last 2 laps of the race so well done to him. I took at least 3 seconds off my previous best so I am reasonably pleased.
Onwards to Snetterton in May! 
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