Pau Arnos

SteveA said:

I totally agree the principle of getting back on the horse and have applied it where possible......but.....I think your comment reflects you haven't ridden for a year or two now...nowhere I know will let you get back on the bike and ride to the pits. Even with more minor damage than mine they sweep you up and get everything back to the pits to record everything and make sure they re do tech control on any bikes/riders planning on returning to the circuit after a fall.

I have 3 bikes that will need testing at some point in the first half of next year. So I am going to have to get out there. Deciding to race will only follow that.

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The last big crash I had was in 1973. I think I raced once or twice after that, then not for 20 years. I've only raced a few times since about 2001 and these days I go nowhere near crashing. My experience with the 500cc short stroke Triton has conditioned me. The last time I raced, I had two practice sessions and 3 races. I was in the lead group in two races and in the third I was passing the leader when the fuel line popped off. The opposition were riding 1100cc methanol-fuelled CB750 Hondas and most had been racing for a long time.
With that Triton, it was terrifying, you just had to love it. The Seeley 850 is totally different - absolutely no anxiety whatsoever.

Al, as you say, you’ve only raced ‘a few times’ since 2001. I’ve been on this forum since 2013 and don’t recall you racing in that time.

Meanwhile Steve is busy putting in full seasons, on a real bike, on real tracks.

Perhaps you could tone down the unsolicited and mildly patronising ‘advice’ somewhat eh?

Fast Eddie said:

Meanwhile Steve is busy putting in full seasons, on a real bike, on real tracks.

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Let's not stretch it eh! Only got to 3 meetings this year. Next year was going to be a bit fuller......who knows. I do have a target I don't want to give up, but the season will show what is possible and practical. I want to ride at Goodwood Members Meeting F750 in 2021! It is both invitation only and early season, so I will need to come off of at least a couple of rides in 2020.

Build bike. Test. Consider practicality!

But, as mentioned earlier in the thread I have parallel ambition, stay married for my old age, which means I need to consider I am in a partnership where the other partner can easily do without racing in her life, and do things that my wife wants to do.....at least sometimes!

In my first marriage, I don't think my ex cared whether I lived or died as long as I brought money home. When I raced I was insured. But it is always nice to have someone who is actually WITH you. My problems these days come from caring for my wide's 3 very young grand daughters and their wayward mother.

Nigel :

Nigel, it is not a matter of pontificating. However you seem to be questioning my credibility. Most guys who race have never been involved in track inspections for licensing purposes, so do not know the politics. A few years ago, I was involved in writing ' the guide to managing risk in motor sport' with Standards Australia/
You can get a copy here :

https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/4195952

I’m not questioning your credibility Al. I’m questioning you questioning people like Steve’s.

Nigel, Barry Sheene refused to race on the IOM. Sometimes you have to do that. I don't ride at Broadford because the whole place is a dog's breakfast. I raced at Mount Gambier years ago, when the whole circuit was covered with non-skid. One of my friends lost half his hand there when he crashed his Yamaha - he had to learn to write with his other hand. Another friend's leathers we just chucked into the rubbish bin as a bunch or rags. Eventually somebody got hurt and sued the local council, and the surface was replaced with smooth-top
When you race anywhere, the risk is always that the track inspections have been politically influenced. I don't know what the story is with Pau Arnos, but a high speed blind corner is never good. The trouble is that most guys will race anywhere. But we all pay the insurance premiums which are affected when they get hurt..