The season began with a debut appearance at the famous Daytona 200 race held annually at Daytona Beach, Florida, USA in March. Unexpected showers had dampened the circuit causing a delay to the day’s schedule. It took until early afternoon for the circuit to dry. Can you believe they used an aeroplane turbine engine to do this? During practice I managed 10 laps progressing well and looking very promising, when the bike came to a stop in turn 1. After returning the bike to the pits the team worked tirelessly without any success in fixing it. People tried endlessly to hire a bike from other teams and to find parts. One fellow competitor was willing to loan me his only bike in between his outings, but I felt that this was too much of a risk and declined his grateful offer. I spent the remaining days relaxing, watching the racing and contemplating what might have been.

I got my 2011 British Supersport Championship campaign underway over the Easter weekend where I finished in 18th place at the opening round at Brands Hatch. Competing on my new 675R Triumph for the first time, I continually improved as the weekend went on.

Widely acknowledged as the most picturesque race circuit in the country, Round 2 of the British Supersport  took place at Oulton Park, my home circuit. Featuring rapidly changing gradients and blind crests, the Cheshire circuit was blessed with perfect conditions all weekend. Lapping consistently quicker than what I had done in practice I took the chequered flag in 17th overall.

I enjoyed my best weekend of racing so far this season at the Yorkshire Circuit, Croft, finding myself part of a 6-rider dice for 13th position in the race. I dug deep and with some determined riding I was able to pick up a good haul of points for my championship campaign. The aim at the beginning of the season was to finish consistently inside the top ten. I felt we we're a lot closer to achieving that and could go to the next round feeling confident for more of the same.

Thruxton is a gem of a circuit. It has the highest lap speeds of any regularly used race track in the UK It’s my kind of circuit. It's very fast with lots of long sweeping flat out corners. I was running strongly in Saturdays free practice session and posted the sixth fastest time, now that’s more like it!!! Unfortunately race day was hampered by rain and didn't help my cause. Maybe that it was my first time on wets with the 675R that hindered my confidence - well that's my excuse anyway!!

I visited the Isle of Man TT this year. That made it my first year there as a spectator and I can honestly admit; I hated it, I just had a suppressing burning desire to race it. Words cannot express what I feel on a lap of the TT Circuit, but one thing I do know is I want it again. For sure I’m still learning my way around and have no interest in my results, just want to ride smooth and with that the speed will come as you simply cannot try too hard around there but it’s all within my control and it’s all my choice and that’s what I like.

With wet conditions throughout the weekend at Knockhill, Scotland I concentrated on keeping myself out of trouble. I was slightly disappointed to line up in 26th place for the race but ultimately finished in 16th, just outside the points. I’m feeling that we just need a little bit extra to put us on an equal footing with the other guys and firmly establish ourselves in the top ten.

The Snetterton circuit had big changes implemented in the off-season, so it was almost like a new track for everyone. Unfortunately I wasn't able to enjoy myself in the hot sun there. Clipping the kerb on the way into the final corner and crashing out during qualifying, fortunately without serious injury meant that I started from a disappointing grid position. The race didn’t go to plan either. They were two very hard races that weekend. I couldn’t help but feel a bit frustrated as I know I could be a lot higher up the results sheet. I lacked a bit of grunt out of the corners which was making it difficult to get close enough to those in front of me along the straights.

I also endured a difficult weekend at Oulton Park where I was competing in round 7 of the British Supersport Championship. Poor weather meant only one of the two races were held over the course of the two days and unfortunately a mechanical failure on the last lap ended my chances of a top twenty position in race one and forcing retirement.

Disappointed about Brands Hatch I remain positive about the forthcoming round at Cadwell Park and will look at the round at Brands Hatch as a learning curve. Everyone in the team put a massive amount of effort, time and dedication and I would like to say a huge thanks to them all. We are trying to develop the bike into something spectacular and understand that is not going to be an easy project. Every brand new bike has teething problems, it’s just unfortunate that the timescale meant the first time I went out on the bike I had to run the bike with an untuned, road stock engine. It’s like trying to compare apples with oranges. I had to race against others who were riding bikes tuned to produce at least 20bhp more than mine. So I guess we have a lot of work to do, but developing the Suzuki is going to be an amazing project and everybody in the team is excited and eager to get the bike to the front of the grid. But for now that bike will remain on show as my belief that luck and bad luck balance out by the end of the season has come true.

Following a successful test at Mallory Park last week I will race for Gearlink Kawasaki, yes Gearlink Kawasaki, Team Green at the forthcoming round of the BSB Championship at Cadwell Park. WOOP WOOP!!!  I would like to say a huge thank you to Michael and Norma for this mega opportunity. I know that Cadwell Park is a mecca for all bike fans so I hope to see you all there.

Well that’s all on the racing front, now what about life in general.

I recently had a great night out at the Laser Arena, Cheshire Oaks. What a sight, a woman running at me with a gun in the most Ramboesque manner ever and her perfect boobs jiggling and bouncing up and down.  Scared the crap out of me really. What do you reckon guys to the idea of a new bra that stops a woman’s breast  from bouncing (Yeah I thought so). But did you know that scientists have perfected a ‘smart bra’ intended to be used by women while running / exercising, jogging.  Apparently the bra’s fabric is treated with a special coating that tightens the straps when her fully mobile mammories need some extra support. How’s about a bra made out of rubber that makes jiggling boobs bounce even more????? Now that’s an idea. ;0)

Hit the JACKPOT that night too……….. on the prize machine!!!!!!!! 

That’s it for now guys.

Thanks for all your support, always

David #89