Flashback
By TMX Archives on 4th Jun 04
I'VE BEEN a busy boy this month with visits to just about everywhere. I started off at round one of the Supercross series, held up at Phil McCullough's track where there was a good crowd in attendance. I'VE BEEN a busy boy this month with visits to just about everywhere. I started off at round one of the Supercross series, held up at Phil McCullough's track where there was a good crowd in attendance. The track was so spectator friendly with spectacular jumps that were built with safety in mind. I was impressed how the event was run - the organisers the MCCNI put on quite a show.There were youth riders racing at this event which brought me back to the time when I was a pup - the thought of riding on an adult track would keep me awake at night but to get to ride on the same bill as the best riders in the country would have blown my mind.An added bonus was the fact that Stephen Watson and the BBC brought along an outside broadcasting unit and had a live link for the national sports programme - it could be the start of something bigger in the future.The North West 200 was blessed with good weather, a great crowd and the fact that the lap record was broken by Michael Rutter. As usual the paddock was full of the who's who of motorcycling. DR arranged for me to get parked right in the middle of the paddock which was very much appreciated.Then it was a sprint down to Mondello Park just outside Nass, Co. Kidare, as the British Superbike circus was in town. Again the weather was great and just to top the day off the local Laverty brothers were on top form. Eugene Laverty put on a show-and-a-half, taking the win in the 125 class while brother Michael finished second in the 600 race. I think that Ireland will be a regular port of call for the BSB in the future.The British Grand Prix was always going to be a cracking weekend. The MX2 class was anybody's race and Swordy, Rattray and Townley gave the fans plenty to cheer about. Swordy's riding really well and his consistency may just pay off at the end of the season. I'm delighted for both CAS and Josh. The pressure on him was enormous as the original team of four riders has been cut in half with myself and Jussi out of the game. This was the home GP for CAS and when it really counted Josh came up with the goods.I have no doubt the GP will return to Gore Basin and continue to grow in stature. The spectators were treated to a spectacular day's racing but from a rider's point of view (and it is only mine as many riders claimed that it was one of the best tracks that they had ever ridden) it was not technical enough.What are you talking about I hear you cry! Yes there were lots of jumps but at world level the riders are all hitting the jumps at the same speed and I feel that there were too many straights on the circuit. Again, that's only my opinion. As a rider if you didn't get a good start there it was going to be hard to make up time.On another note, Joel Smets has decided that enough is enough and he goes in to get his knee rebuilt this weekend. Not before time, Joel is a five-time world champion and after every race this year he's had to get his knee drained. Joel's riding in pain and discomfort and to get slated for not running at the front isn't really fair.After the MX GP it was off to Silverstone - home of the British Formula 1 industry - courtesy of Red Bull and Jaguar. There were plenty of Jaguar sports cars to play with and that's not to mention all the F1 teams who were there testing. It was so interesting touring the pits and talking to the mechanics, getting an insight into the world of F1 racing.Then there was the evening entertainment, the hospitality was second to none and there were a few energetic lads in my company - including a certain Derek Patterson from the Plough in Hillsborough who was most definitely on form! As I was saying, keeping busy is the key to keeping sane at the moment and spending time developing both business and personal relationships with people who I would otherwise not have had the time to meet has been very fulfilling.The majority of people I meet are pretty much in touch with reality but then there's quite a few people who come up to me and say 'hey, you're looking fine, why aren't you back racing - did you just want a year off?' Yeah, the fact that I can now walk means that I can race with the fastest guys in the world! You wouldn't believe some of the ***t that I have to listen to.Looking forward, in July I have a review with the people that actually do know what they're on about - my surgeons. So let's hope the news is good!GCPS Good luck to Jerry Maguire. He's cycling 420 miles for the Royal Victoria Children's Hospital. And before I sign off may I pass on my thoughts to the family of David Wood. He was one of life's gentlemen and helped both myself and numerous others over the years and was fun to be with right up to the end.Words by Gordon Crockard