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9-11TH SEPT :: DONNINGTON PK
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Donington Park first opened its gates in 1931, initially for motorcycle racing and then two years later for car action. The circuit went on to stage Grand Prix for both motorcycles and cars in the pre-war era. Donington was subsequently re-built and re-opened in 1977 and staged the British Motorcycle Grand Prix annually or more than two decades. Among other accolades, Donington Park staged the first ever round of the World Superbike championship, as well as holding the F1 Grand Prix of Europe in 1993. In the past four years the circuit has been resurfaced, while the pit complex, race control, media building and timekeepers' offices have recently been completely rebuilt in a £5million development. |
JAMES WEBB RACE REPORT:
DONINGTON PARK
10 / 11 SEPTEMBER 2011
JAMES WEBB #66
PRACTICE: I tried to forget about the Championship but I knew I was under a lot of pressure. I did a handful of laps and managed to go P1 so I came in as it started to rain and didn’t bother going back out as I felt good on the bike and had nothing else to try or prove. I knew my main threats would be Pete Ward and Dijon.
QUALIFYING: I waited in pit land to get a clear track so I could get my head down from the start. I was second for all the session and that’s where I ended up behind Pete Ward I was not that worried because all I had to do was finish behind Pete. We made a few changes with Simon before we went out for Race 1. I knew where I needed to improve the bike and where I could go faster.
RACE ONE: After having a debrief with Simon and going with a setting we knew would make things better I knew it was all down to me in the race now. I was starting from Pole because the grid was decided at Cadwell. I got of to an ok start but had to be aggressive at turn one. I was second behind Pete and we broke away, he tried slowing the race down but it didn’t work, we swapped places a few times but then it started to rain a bit so I backed of as I knew all I really had to do was finish second and I had like about a 7 second gap behind me. I ended up bringing it home in P2 so I would be going into race 2 on Sunday with just a 7 point lead. I knew I had to finish 2nd to Pete if I was to win the Championship. I was so nervous for the second race as I wanted to win the championship so badly.
RACE TWO: After not such a good night sleep due to being nervous and struggling to find somewhere decent to eat also having a road rage situation which ended up involving my dad and little brother I was feeling pretty shi…. The day had come for the finale I stayed so focused all day and chilled with my brother Danny. Gavin and the boys were double checking everything all day on the bike and a lot of the staff at Blade turned up to watch and I wanted to do them proud.
Everything was done exactly the same as we had in race one as I am so superstitious. The lights went green and I got of to a good start again tucking in behind Pete Ward I had about 0.4 on Alex Gault the whole race and I knew I had to keep it that way. Pete tried slowing the race down again but again it didn’t work and I knew a second would be good enough for the title so I kept my pace up and just sat in second to the flag ending up 2 seconds ahead of 3rd place. I was so scared the bike was going to go wrong and though I kept hearing noises on the last lap the bike didn’t miss a beat. I bought it home doing exactly what I had planned to do and won the title!!!!!!
I was so happy I wanted it so bad all year and had ups and downs but still managed to pull through. I really hope this has shown people my potential and that I want to race and win so badly. I feel that I have matured as a rider and think and plan things a lot more than I used to and I love it.
I would like to say thank you to everyone for all their help and support however big or little all put together it worked.
Thanks to:
Shark Helmets
Moto Direct
Jim McNulty
James Reidhaven
Squeeky Clean Mob
Gaerne Boots
Steve Burgess (Danny’s Manager)
Steve Bennett
Horace & Jane and good friends Tim and Troy.
All my friends and Family (Mum, Dad and little Dan)
And of course
The whole of Blade Motor Sport,
My mechanics Gavin, Elliot, Jamie for putting a fantastic bike together and Simon for the suspension.
The whole of the Harley Davidson XR1200 Series Organisers and everyone at BSB
A huge thanks to little brother Danny for being there for me when he could.
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