Photo Slideshow - watch this space as the season progresses

Testing & Race Reports - check back regularly for updates

also see Nath's blog (a Top Read!!)

Rockingham – Thundersport GB - 27-29th July 2012

Friday
MLR are already set up when Jacqui and I arrive at lunch time. Practice starts at 2pm and second lap in we time 1.51.744 that's are start point.  The front runners 1.38.800 There’s a lot of talk about rear grip problems.  Eight laps in, Matty drops to 1.48.321 He reports no problems and can't wait to get out again.

3pm and the times come down lap after lap, 1.42.500 his fastest so far but has started to slide about a wee-bit.  We are now £165 lighter in our pockets but have a brand new set of BT003's fitted ready for the last session of the day.  Save the tyres for qualifying was my instruction and he did for four laps until he hit 1.40.966 he was happy enough with that.  BBQ on the go, a cool beer, wall to wall sunshine and a great paddock and track, what more do you need in life.

Satruday
10.10am, Matty goes out for qualifying knowing that he must improve, Nath and I push him on from the pit lane his 2nd lap matches Friday’s time.  He's on the move... Lap 5 he loses a bit of time, no pit signal just frantic arm waving willing him to go faster. The 3min board comes out, it's now or never Matt!  He responds, but can't break the 1.40 barrier, what a great effort his last two laps both in the 1.40's and 14th on the grid, his highest at this level.
Race 1 - A poor start see's Matty working hard to get places back, eventually getting a lonely 16th place just outside the points but he did match his qualifying time.
Race 2 - He gets off the line well into the first bend and has to slam on mid corner to avoid a fellow rider, back in 18th he really has got his work cut out to get that point we so desperately want.  This is the Matt we all know, never giving in.  One lap to go he gets 15th place back a after right ding dong battle with three other riders, but it was to be 16th again by 200th of a second, He was gutted because now the mega laps come into play for Sunday’s racing and he drops to 17th on the grid. However he did get that final signature  to secure his full race licence.

Sunday
Warm-up - The airs a little cooler Matt’s on a mission to break that 1.40 barrier on lap five he breaks it and lap six 1.39.168 puts him 10th fastest in warm up.
Race 3 - He's away well and up to 13th place, we'd talked about following a group instead of leading it and it seemed to work for a while until he made a mistake on lap four dropping three places.  Lap five and the race is stopped to allow the air ambulance to land, result to stand, 16th again.
Race 4 - Matty left his best till last, a good start racing with his head he timed his overtakes, was patient when he had to be. He got his reward with a well earned 14th place only 0.078 of second off 13th a great race to watch!
 
We returned to Thundersport GB to see if Matt had improved his riding, I think he has.  We also set some goals this weekend, 1st to enjoy the event, 2nd to achieve that 10th signature, 3rd to brake that 1.40 lap time and 4th to get some points.  We managed all four!

Again, massive thank you to all the Slappers in attendance, as well as family and friends.  We really enjoyed the weekend.  Unfortunately Auto 66 has cancelled Oulton Park on the 4th of August where Matty was hoping to give you all a show on Nige's 675, we're really disappointed with this, and we don't know what's going on at the moment or what we will be doing about the end of our season.
                                   
                      Thanks for the great support
                        Phil + Jacqui.

Cadwell Park – Auto 66 - 8th July 2012

With the usual stuff out of the way the 675 rolls down for its first race after the rebuild full.  Wet tyres fitted, “just complete” was Matt’s instructions said I. Fluffed the start, never mind, after one lap Matt’s on the move, shadowing an SV650.  2nd lap he cautiously runs up alongside the SV into coppice but lets him go first.  3rd lap same place Matty just blasts past him and away he goes, qualifying sixth.

Forty min’s later the CB has a quiet race, unable to match the speed of the 600s in his class.  5th in class was the result, and yes it’s still raining!
Its full on wet now and in the next race the 675 tyres seem much more at home, Matt knocked a full ten seconds off his qualifying time in race two to bring it home 6th again.  He reports the Triumph really does feel awesome and also not pushing either.

After lunch it stopped raining yippee!!  The CB went out on a drying track still on wets.  Matt had a really good go in the race but still only 5th in class again.  At the chicane and the old hairpin he really tried to out brake the others but just couldn't manage it.

The track was dry now so brand new tyres fitted to the 675 away he went “just scrub them in for the Oulton park round” was the instruction.  He was 8th in the race, his final lap was a 1.48.253 eight seconds faster again!  A job well done, and the 675 looking great and sounding fantastic.  I didn't see that race as I was changing the CB to dry tyres.

Last race of the day, Matty battled away with an ER650 again not having enough power to be able to do much about it, but he rode well and never gave up.

Nine signatures down and only one more to go.  Many thanks once again to Kwacky, Cookie Monster, Jane, LeeR1, Martin, Steve, Ryan, Lisa, Archie, Mary, Young Stanley and Chris Hammond for their great support in very testing conditions.

Championship positions:  1st James Want 37, 2nd Rick Saville 36, 3rd Matty Laws 32. Only 5 points off the lead.
 
Many Thanks for everyone's help once again!
Phil + Jacqui.

Mallory Park – Auto 66 - 20th May 2012

It was cold and grey as we pulled into the paddock at Mallory 0715hrs, all was calm, camp set up and had a brew.

0800hrs down to scrutineering.  We passed after a lot of debate about CB500's belly pan, it does make me wonder! (Jobsworth).  Spudda, James and Jack arrive and we wait, wait again, and wait a little longer and yes, 1015 we eventually get out on track for warm up.  New tyres so steady away, after only 15mins Matt has already knocked 3secs off his lap times.  He's back in looking a bit down, have we a problem Matt?  No, just me I think?

RACE 1.  He gets away well in front of two other CB500’s, chasing down the SV650’s and CBR600 steelies, a few mistakes and getting held up in the corners slows his progress but manages 4th in class.

RACE 2.  Again he's battling away with the CB’s until he gets a nudge from a fellow CB500 rider, the guy came across and apologised later (nice chap).  This seemed just what Matt needed and thought enough of that, and shot off like a scalded cat, catching one of his championship rivals two corners from the flag.  Another 4th place, this time he comes in big smile on his face!  Job well done!

RACE 3.  Points race and 10 laps.  He's up for this, you can just tell!  Matty on a mission, Jacqui and Liz watch at Edwina’s they've never seen him brake that hard and overtake at the same time, he did the same at the Shaw’s hairpin and the amount of time he pulled back at Gerard's was great to watch, riding round the outside of SV's and CBR's, this time getting third in class.

The day started slow but that last race was one of the best I've seen Matty ride.  Matty still lies third in his championship on 26 points only 2 points behind the leader.  Thanks to Martin, Alison, Lizzy, Spudda, James, Jack, Tony and Julie for their support on the day, not forgetting all you Tankslappers and Ian at Pokerdog for making this all possible.  OH!!! nearly forgot to say it was dry all day, that's strange.
 
                                                    Many thanks Phil & Jacqui.

DONINGTON PARK ROUND 2 – Auto 66 - 9th April 2012

It's 0720hrs, raining, windy and cold.  We get down to scrutineering all’s good, full wets fitted and ready to go.
Warm-up thirty seven bikes on circuit Matt sets the 13th fastest time.

QUALIFYING RACE- Matty finishes 6th in class 10th in the race, not pushing at all yet, fastest lap is a 1.46.654

RACE 2 - The rain comes down even harder for Matt’s next race. Matt gets a good start and is in the mix with another CB500 and the usual CBR600’s.  Lap 1, Matt passes the cb500 which immediately tags onto Matt’s coat tails, one lap later Matt puts the hammer down and gaps his fellow rider by some 3secs and sets off after a CBR600 half way down the Dunlop straight.  Two laps later Matt rides around the outside of the CBR at Redgate, when we see them at Mcleans Matt still has the advantage, down the Dunlop straight the CBR passes Matt, to our surprise Matt leads out of the foggy esses! same thing again at Redgate but this time opens up a gap to finish 5th in class and 8th in race fastest lap 1.40.250.

RACE 3 - Last race of the day, another good start but a lonely race to 5th place unable to bridge the gap to four CBRs at the front fastest lap 1.37.998  A very measured mature ride in very wet and windy conditions.

Well done Matt, did I just write that??  Great support for Matt from Tugs & Julie, Spudda & James, Nath & Fraz, and nice to see Nev and Neil.  Another fine days racing gaining that all important signature.
Thanks again for everyone’s support.

2012 Starts!! CADWELL PARK ROUND 1 – Auto 66

“A bitter sweet weekend”

Saturday 10th March - Testing the 675 and CB500 back to back over 5 sessions.  On the 675, Matty managed to lose five seconds off his lap time over the day with a lap of 1.45.44 being his fast his fastest  lap.  After only two sessions on the cb500 Matty matched his fastest lap of cadwell on the CB with a lap of 1.51.00
A good end to an uneventful day, Saturday night was a very cold night in the van for Matt.

Sunday 11th March – With the bikes prepped for scrutineering, we passed with flying colours.
9.20 am Matty rolls out for warm up on the CB and sets the second fastest time in his group. 9.35 am and a quick change of machine Mattys out with the big boys on the 675 for warm up 25th out of 41 riders with a few fast guys out there.
Race 2 is called and Matts away for his first race on the 675.  However on the warm up lap..... Disaster, Matty is down at the goose neck, suffering a big highside which didn't do him or the bike any good.  Matt was absolutely gutted about damaging Nige’s bike, but we will do what it takes to rebuild it.  Fifty minutes later Matt is declared  fit to race if he wants to, he arrives back at the pits a lot worse for wear, he does have a steely determination at times like this and ops to race, it’s amazing what adrenalin can do!

RACE 1 -2ND IN CLASS, 9TH IN THE RACE
RACE 2 - 3RD IN CLASS, 9TH IN RACE

RACE 3 – Matt’s last race of the day, but he's in a lot of pain, we help him on the CB for his final race of the day.  He gives everything he's got to finish 3rd in class and 7th in the race.

Thanks to everyone for their support as usual, gutted for matt and Nige, but these things can will and do happen, it may take a while but the pair of them can be rebuilt . 

Cheers Phil and Jackie

Oulton Park Race Weekend - 7th to 8th Oct 2011 (Report coutesy of Phil, aka Silverback- Matty's Dad)

Championship Round: #9

MLR’s Round: #5

Key Details: Qualifying – 27th.

Race 1/2 – 20th

Race 2/2 -17th

Friday (Test Morning & Qualifying pm)
We arrived at Oulton Park at 0715hrs Friday morning, and just for a change it was raining, that made us feel at home straight away.  In between the odd biblical shower, camp was set up and the van unpacked. Number 93 was checked over and passed scrutineering with no problems.  Jacqui sorts the bacon butties, Nath sorts the tea, it’s all good and even the weather improves a little.  Nige n Di arrive with Jack and even the sun makes an appearance.

10am, Matty rolls out for his first practice laps, 2.27.23 in the wet and he thinks the track is fantastic.  The CB is back to its best and looking good even in the rain.
An hour later and Matt’s back out on track with inflatable arm bands and his rubber duck, it really was that wet!  Posting a lap of 2.22.74 he's only done twelve laps and already knocked five sec’s off a lap.  Matt’s happy with the grip levels out there.
His third and final session sees him match his times again in changing conditions, he's happy so that'll do me fine.

Qualifying.
Matt’s straight back on it and 2nd lap out puts in 2.25.130 He knows he can go faster but the red flag comes out and the session is stopped for a good five minutes to clear the track.  Green flag and they’re back out.  Matt seems troubled? What’s going on out there?  His visor has steamed up due to the delay and with no time left has to settle for 27th on the grid.  He's a little disappointed with himself as he knows he could have done better.

Saturday (Race Day)
It’s warm but still wet, Matt’s away for warm up, determined to prove himself worthy of all the support and backing that everyone has given him, posting a time of 2.17.114 and 20th fastest.

Race 1  (sing along) “Up above the trees and houses rainbows flying high” (guess the children’s programme)  Yes the sun was out and the track starting to dry a little.  All looks good, his out lap from a standing start was faster than his qualifying time by some five seconds, good lad!  Matt’s working his way up the field, no dramas, his best lap of 2.11.209 gaining him 20th place a good effort!

Race 2
What was the weather going to do?  Worn wets or nearly new wets was the dilemma? 20 mins to race time, No pressure then... yep, it rained!! New wets fitted with ten minutes to go. Our last race of our season and Matty’s determined to put a show on for his loyal supporters from the Tankslap forum.
He nails the start, wasting no time as he starts to get to grip with the task in hand.  The race has been shortened to 8 laps due to time restraints caused by delays with earlier races.  Matt really did go for it, taking a place every lap and two in one corner on his way to 17th with his fastest lap of the race 2.13.409!
On the cool down lap Matt made a half decent attempt at a burn out just as a thank you to everyone for their support.

Jacqui and I, and of course Matt, must say a big thank you to everyone at Tankslap for their support over the last seven months of our adventure into the world of motorcycle racing.  The highs and the lows we've had a few, the pressure, the worry and the elation but never disappointed, and also a big thank you to Family and friends for all the help and support.
We've already started planning for next season and will keep you informed and up to date as often as I can.
.........Something about Matty????

Brands Hatch Race Weekend - 16th to 18th Sept 2011 (Report coutesy of Phil, aka Silverback- Matty's Dad)

Championship Round: #8

MLR’s Round: #4

Key Details: Qualifying – 18th.

Race 1/4 – DNF

Race 2/4 -26th

Race 3/4 – DNF (Mechanical)

Race 4/4 – 28th

Well what a weekend!
 
Friday test was sunny and warm, Matt went out for his first laps of brands hatch Indy circuit, nice and steady and the 2nd lap in produced a 59 second lap, instantly sub minute lap times.
Matty's words were " thats full on scary but awesome!" An uneventful afternoon was had and Matty managed to bring his lap times down to a personal best of 58.11, 3 seconds off Adam Shelton and Matt Bilton, ex superstock 600 winner!
After checking the CB over we all go for a walk around the track. Paddock hill bend is one steep and demanding hill.

Saturday morning qualifying, and guess what, it rained!  Full wets on and away he goes. Nath comments instantly thinking that he looks slow and isn't trying. I tell him to chill out, he will be fine. With that he ups his pace and is running the bike super smooth and nice and progressive. On the tannoy we hear that Matty has qualified 18th of 36. Personal best yet again and I think that is very well done.
 
Race 1. Matty got away well with the fast group ahead and 2nd lap in got sucked into paddock hill bend carrying a little too much entry speed and touched a damp patch at the best part of 80mph, I could see him trying to save it on his knee.
I must admit it was a spectacular crash rolling and sliding and tumbling. The CB doing its own impression of Olga korbut on the gymnastics floor. Matt was up on his feet instantly and was mad with himself. At least he is okay.
3 hours later the bike has passed scrutineering and Matty is fit to race after a sterling effort from Martin, Nath, Nige, Jack and myself.
 
Race 2. Steady away was the order of the day to just bring it home and he does just that in 26th, a great effort after a big off and a less then perfect bike. He said the bars where all wrong and too high and he had no movement around the bike and just couldnt hold the lines he wanted.
 
Sunday Warm up 18th Fastest.
 
Race 3. Matt got away well and he was really going for it, this is it we thought, he was racing hard and fast in the top 20 with four laps down. All of a sudden he slows down looking around the bike, the bike doesnt sound like its revving out, and its struggling to move at all. Matty pulls in to find the back brake had seized on, the heat from this was tremoundous and took a lot of water to cool it off. Didn't see that coming! Matty looks disappointed and gutted as he was running a strong race.
 
Race 4. He got away well again and was soon fighting his way through a pack of 8 other CB500 racers and swapping and changing places every corner of every lap.  Towards the end of the race Matty lost a lot of rear grip and the back end was sliding alot and he couldnt quite get the grip he needed to stay ahead of the pack. He had to settle for 28th in the last race.
 
That was a proper race weekend, highs, lows, frustration, joy, some laughs and sheer hard work and determination. Great support from all the Slappers from tankslap.co.uk and Matt's Auntie Alison and Uncle Martin, Brother Nath and not forgetting the ANGEL! ( YES we did get him on the video aswell) Di knows who we mean!
 
After all that Matt still drove the 240 miles home in pain from the crash and the onslaught of tonsilitus. The lad has determination if nothing else.
 
Thank you to everyone at the weekend and for contuinally supporting us all as a family.
 
Many thanks
 
Phil

Snetteron Race Weekend - 15th to 27th July 2011 (Report coutesy of Phil, aka Silverback- Matty's Dad)

Championship Round: #6

MLR’s Round: #3

Key Details: Qualifying – 20th.

Race 1/4 – 18th

Race 2/4 -19th

Race 3/4 – 15th & 1st Championship point!

Race 4/4 – 14th & 2 more Championship points!

We arrived at the circuit at 21.15 on Thursday evening, it was a clear night but a little cool. Gazebo up, tent up had a brew.

We woke to brilliant sunshine on Friday for the test day, fuelled up, noise test done Matt rolls out for his first look at the new 300 layout. 20mins later he's back in with a big smile on his face. His first timed lap was 2.38.26 six laps later in near perfect conditions he does 2.27.64 nearly 11secs in such a short time. Tony (rofin) and Lee had arrived by this time and settled in to the atmosphere. John (Jack38) arrived just after lunch, great chap loves his racing.

Later that day Matty slowly got his times down to a consistent 2.23 lap. In between sessions we went to scrutineering, we failed! A little to much play in the steering head bearings, with help from Jack and Lee we soon had it sorted, with a brand new set of 003 tyres on, off he went to scrub the new tyres in, day one complete.

Saturday 9.00am qualifying - new wet tyres, it was wet wetter than sponge in a bucket of water. I wonder if giraffes like water? because it doesn't seem to bother Matt too much! 20 mins of splashing around in the rain and he's 20th on the grid, his highest position so far good lad!!!

Race 1; Matt splashed his way round doing a sterling job, until the last lap in the last corner when he launched himself (that was a joke LOL) down the inside of a fellow competitor to take 18th place. The marshals at Murrys thought we were battling for the lead by the amount of noise we all made when he took 18th place!

Race 2; It was still wet, I think the Titanic could possibly have been a little drier. Matt settled into the race which was reduced to five laps due to delays in the day, just complete the race Matt. So Matt, being Matt, put in a lap of 2.36 some 6 secs faster than his qualifying time, well it did stop raining, eventually finishing 19th.

Warm up on Sunday, Matt latched onto the front runners on a dry track posting the 12th fastest time (2.24.541)

Race 3; Matt was full of confidence and really was having a good go, passing at least one rider per lap eventually getting his reward, 15th, his highest position so far earning him one championship point.

Race 4; Matt  got stuck in traffic on the first lap, he really was flying now making up place after place each lap with some really guttsy riding. Seeing him ride round the outside of a fellow rider at Palmer at 60-70mph on the limit will stay with me for ever (so proud), and his last lap out braking at Murrys was fantastic to secure 14th place and another 2 championship points! He set his fastest lap of the weekend 2.22.232 on the 4th lap of the last race.

We started the year with a few goals for the season we've surpassed at least two of them so far.

I know I've said it before but a massive thankyou to all at TANKSLAP. Thanks again to Nige & Di, Jack38, Tony, Lee for the support, and a massive thankyou to Martin, Allison, Georgina & Jasper for thier support and help during the day.
 
                                                              Phil

Cadwell Park Race Weekend - 28th to 30th May 2011 (Report coutesy of Phil, aka Silverback- Matty's Dad)

Championship Round: #4

MLR’s Round: #2

Key Details: Qualifying – 26th.

Race 1/4 – 20th

Race 2/4 -18th

Race 3/4 – Did not Start - See below

Race 4/4 – 25th

Arrived at Cadwell on Saturday at 07.15am cold, just a little windy (GF10!!).  Tent up, gazebo up, bike checked, breakfast done and grandma enjoying every minute of it.  Matt signs on for testing in the afternoon and all is calm.

Over lunch the weather takes a turn for the worst with a very heavy shower, we change to full wets, been here before me thinks!!  In the holding area 5mins to go the sun comes out OH *&^%$KS.  Matt just trundled round to get his bearings on a drying track.  Session one down, two to go.

Race tyres back on (I'm getting better at this now).  Next session dry/windy that’s more like it 1.59 lap time.  Talking to Jack I said I'd be happy if he can hit 1.55 consistently for the qualifying and race for Sun/Mon.  Into the last test session of the day, two laps in, a 1.54 for the next three laps... What do I know!!!.

Sunday qualifying Matt's on his way faster and faster, he looks even faster! Comes in after six laps he's got cramp, sorted that... Nath give him a slap and off he went.  Qualified 26th with a time of 1.53.498, a full second faster than Saturdays testing, well done Matt.

1st race, got a good start working his way up to 20th with a fastest lap of 1.51.592 anther one and three quarter seconds faster again.

2nd race, Matt starts well again passing a few on the brakes like he does.  His reward is 18th, with a fastest lap of 1.51.284.  What impressed me (Silverback) was the other six laps were all faster than his qualifying time WIN!!!!!

Monday warm up and its very, very wet and windy, no prob’s, nice n steady.  One minute left and Disaster... no Matt, no bike... he’d gone down at barn. I run off to race control only to see #93 getting wheeled out the back of the course van, it looked like an out of work window box with more grass and mud than our front garden.  Away down to the medical centre heart in my mouth, I hear him laughing with the Docs which makes me calm down a tad.  I'm allowed in to see him sit up, a little sore and bruised but ok.

We get back to camp, all hands on deck.  The bike starts up, that’s a good sign.  Big Al & Jack replace the front end Damage, Uncle Martin & I work on the footrest and rear brake.  One hour and a few min’s later, classed fit to race again with 10min’s to spare.  Matt’s ready, but half way down to the holding area the bike stops then starts but will not rev out B*&^%$£D, we’re all gutted.  Carbs stripped cleaned replaced all seems good.

Last race, it’s still raining cats and things, Matt’s instructions are to just get your confidence back and bring it home.  He starts well but just holding station at the moment... 5 laps in, Days of thunder moment... he goes under the bike in front at coppice and instantly goes 4 secs a lap faster... He's back!!  He ends up 25th with a lap of 2.01.774, seven secs faster in the wet than in February.

I'm so proud of him, he showed some metal to get out there after his spill. He was a bit beaten up but he learned a lot.

Thanks once again for everyone's support of Matt, some 20 friends and family supported Matt over the weekend, Many Thanks.

Donnington Park Race Weekend - 8th to 10th April 2011 (Report coutesy of Nath - Matty's Bro')

Championship Round: #2

MLR’s Round: #1

Survived: YES

Key Details: Qualifying – 40/48, got on the grid – this is the main thing.

Race 1/4 – 34th

Race 2/4 -28th

Race 3/4 – 25th

Race 4/4 – 22nd

Summary: It’s finally over – bittersweet ending (not to do with Matty – more me leaving my mobile in a service station) to a wonderful weekend at Donington. Arriving on Friday after a 4am early rise, excitement was static in the air as we pulled into Donington amongst the hundreds of camper-vans, vans, trailers and tents (on concrete, aye) already set up for the weekends racing. We stepped out of the car to cold, fresh air and the sound of a few generators starting to warm peoples morning cuppa.  So! First things first, we get everything set up, and pretty soon a full racing team HQ was the order of the day – and based on the amount of people asking us questions, we must have looked pretty damn fine. The bike looked gleaming, and quicker than you know it, we’re watching Matty go off to his warmup sessions. First time out on the track he comes back in, half way through the session. “It feels weird, the front end is squirming and lifting!” he shouts through his helmet over the top of the bike noises screaming past the pitlane. More on this in the detailed blog. Test day over, and having consistently improved over the day (earlier laps 1:34 – end of friday – 1:28.2) we settle in and make sure everything is ready for his first qualificiation, and first race. Endless discussion (usually forced by big brother here) eeks every bit of info out of Matty for the correct set up.

Qualifying goes well, and Matty’s bike is immediately seized for the dyno machine. A fraught half an hour later, and the CB is given the all clear. Matty qualifies 40th on the track – though seemingly disappointed with this, some logical reasoning (namely that 8 riders did NOT qualify for the main race) quickly brings him back out of his pit and determined to see what he can do in the race.

The race.

This was it, the big nerves, the huge worry, the ridiculous amounts of adrenaline, tea and bananas, and Matty was sat on the grid. Watching him sit there at the back of 39 other high revving racebikes gave me goosebumps. And a wet patch.

Red. Red. Red. Red. (when would it-)GREEN GREEN GREEN GO GO GO! Half way through Lap 1, 5 bikes go down at Craner Curves. Dad and myself look at each other and know what the other is thinking, but don’t voice it.

An age passes where the bikes wait on the track itself, before coming around to set up again.

And the whole thing starts. Again. An early grave via stress induced heart attack? Yeah go on then.

Matthew takes 5 places within one lap, but makes a mistake at the chicane, underestimating the heat in his brakes. It costs him 5 places, and he is now chasing hard to keep with the back runners. We see him pull them back in within 2 laps, and take the back marker on the 3rd. Yet again he mistakes at the chicane, going too wide, and is passed. Just finish, is all we want from him. Don’t worry and just finish your first ever race Matt. That’s all we need. On the 6th and final lap, Matthew bullets out of the chicane onto the start finish straight…in FRONT of the guy he’d been behind for 3/4′s of the lap. I’ve been told it was a brilliant overtake coming out of Macleans. He’d done all this in a 6 lap race.

He had finished his first race, it was over, Mother, Father, Brother, Neighbors, Sponsors and forum members breathe a sigh of relief. Well done sunshine. Well done.

To find out how Matty smashed his places down consistently over the weekend and achieved a drop of TEN SECONDS on laptimes within 3 days of riding the bike, and in his first ever race weekend, please read the more detailed blog. It’s action packed and full of healthy, nutritious details!

Cadwell Park Test Day - 5th February 2011 (Report coutesy of Phil - Matty's Dad)

First of all a big thankyou to Nigel and Di of Pittys Custom Vinyls Ltd for their help and support and dressing the bike up, it really is appreciated. Everybody thinks the teamwear looks fantastic, can't wait for a sunny day.

On ,saturday the 5th of February we travelled down to Cadwell for Mat's first run out on the CB500.  Wet was an understatement, while mat went for his safety briefing his (Dad) Phil and his (Bro) Nath started twirling the spanners changing to full wets , nice and easy in a dry warm garage, not quite so easy in gale force winds, driving rain and time ticking away, and not even 8.30am.

Nigel was also doing the trackday and promptly had a tyre change, once for the back tyre and three attempts for the front WHOOPS! Did I mention it was raining lol. Everyone was now nicely soaked to the skin and only 9am. Brollys where the order of the day Jacqui, Mat's Mum, supplied copious amounts of tea and coffee, making various comments about the weather, some of them unrepeatable.

Mat went out for his first session of the day. First time on the CB5OO first time on full wets, three laps later, knee down at halls bends which raised a few eyebrows, which Nath and I were high fiving at, Di's face was a picture.  Di was quite happy snapping away with her camera everyone just that little bit wetter but still smiling, or was it wind.

After a couple of sessions I timed Mat. Once he'd managed to get a clear track he put in 4 consecutive laps all within half a second of each other his fastest lap being 2.08.22 this would have been enough to have put Mat in 24th place on last years qualifying times in the wet, we think quite good for his first on the bike.

Mats Bro took some awesome pictures. Come dinnertime the marshalls were quite impressed by the lad on the blue CB500 and wondered if he would stay shiny side up for the rest of the day due to the entry speed into Hall Bends on a very wet track. The brolly girls where now working overtime three brollies on show at any one time. Jacqui, Liz and Di doing a sterling job. Nige got to work applying the graphics to Mats bike, which we all agreed looks fantastic, many thanks to Nige.

Matty continued were he left off snogging Lizzy lol, I mean putting in consistent laps, did I mention it was still raining lol. Nige went out again to do his dancing on water impression, which at times made us all jump a bit with his wheel spinning antics.  With tiredness setting in and a couple of unforced errors Mat opted not to go out in the last session however a great day was had by all and new friends made.
 
ps: Just a word from Jacqui and I, we'd like to thank Nige and Di and everyone at tankslap forum and the trackday riders forum for their enthusiasm and support for Mat. Also Julie, big Al, James, Tom, Jenny, Ryan and Uncle Martin for their fantastic support on the day. If anybody is around to watch Mat race, please feel free to pop in and say hello, you can't miss him 6ft 3in,bright blue and a bit giraffe like lol

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