Arrived at Donnington at about 10.30am for an 11.05 booking in after leaving a very stormy Essex at 7.30am.
To my delight the weather improved as we got further north and by the time we got to the circuit it was cold but dry. After booking in and paying for the photos (same company that worked Cadwell - 19.95 ukp for 5 shots) I kitted up and went to the briefing room. I brought my own leathers although many had opted for the free kit hire which was included in the 199ukp fee for the Premier course.
The briefing was simple. These are the flags and crash and you're off. (unless the spill was beyond your control). We were to get three 15 minute track sessions interspersed with tuition at track side.
We were then herded down to the pits, split into pairs and introduced to our instructor for the day. My instructor was a 22 year old 250 racer called Michael who looked like he weighed less than my size 8 wife. The bikes were brand new CBR600 Sports bikes with nothing but the bare racing essentials left on them plus a nice Micron can.
Michael jumped on a FireBlade and lead us off for a sighting lap. Donnington is a great circuit with a good surface and some interesting features. More sophisticated than Cadwell Park yet less demanding. By lap 2 we had gathered pace and confidence. I was hanging of the bike on the corners although no more than normal so I didn't expect what happened at the Melbourne hairpin.
CONTACT :-))))). I could feel my slider touch down. Totally unexpected. I was feckin' delighted. After that lap I found that I could get my knee down at will.
The first session ended all too soon and we were into the pits for a chat. Michael was a good instructor in spite of his years and full of positive comments and encouragement.
By session two it was pissing down but we still went out. The drop in speed gave us a chance to concentrate on our lines as we gathered pace I realised that I was going faster in the wet than I ever have before.
By session three the rain had stopped and the track was beginning to dry out. With the confidence I had gained from the first session and the experience I had gained form the second this was by far the fastest I had gone. Although the track was still damp we still made good progress and by
the last lap a dry line have begun to appear. I felt that this was probably the last lap and decided that it was dry enough to enjoy one last knee down at Melbourne. Imagine my dismay as we approached the hair pin only to find
that someone had crashed and was lying ring on the racing line in the middle of the track (the bike was waiting patiently in the kitty litter albeit upside down). As we slowly made our way around the bloke on the deck I was tempted to kick the twat for cheating me of my last moment but that's track days for you.... he was OK for those that give a shit.
Having done the Premier course I am now eligible to do the Elite course (299ukp) which is basically one to one on a FireBlade with a great deal more track time. Those that know me will understand how eager I am to sign up for this next event.
In conclusion it was a great experience. The bikes were great, new and well presented. Ron Haslam is "having sex with a pet reptile" (f*cking my newt) and the instructors might be young but they're bloody fast.
