<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Arrabbiata1 @ Jul 27 2009, 09:58 PM)
<{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Thanks Jum - can't really say I needed rest, when I live 28 miles from the circuit, but then after qualifying on Saturday I went to a BBQ in the next village which degenerated into the usual bacchanalian debauchery, and didn't get to sleep until 2.00 am, then got up at 4.a.m - had to meet Rog at a service station on the M1 but my planned lift to get me there never materialised due to the fact that everyone was still comatosed. Grabbed a cab and was there with the big man and Bonnie at 6.00 as planned - so after two hours sleep felt like I'd just stepped off a dozen transatlantic flights instead of a 15 minute cab ride to the motorway. One can of Relentless, a bottle of wife beater and and infusion of Ska from 'DJ- Chopperman' on the car stereo and I felt ready for the day, and enthused with anticipation at the thought of Rog and Bonnie hearing the sound of these wonderful machines unleashed and barreling toward them down Craners. Actually I'd rung Rog the day before trackside during the morning practice session - the sound of a Desmosedici on full song hammering down Craners as a wake up call - (he was still in bed at the time!)
Rog's bladder, that morning, having the integrity of Alberto Puig and the constitution durability/stamina of Casey, meant that we
eventually after several pit stops, made our way out field courtesy of the new tunnel at McCleans and parked our arses between Starkey's and Schwantz, where more beer was had by all. Poor Bonnie had been acting as sherpa for Rog's alcohol provisions, and so we willingly lightened the load - in my case begrudgingly (in view of the night before) when, unsurprisingly, more Stella proved to be the contents - an' if you know Rog, then you'll understand that he's not a man that tends to take no for an answer
). Because of the night before I was topping up, and felt like I'd been fed some of Rog's Special brew by intravenous drip for the past 24 hrs. Actually, Rog was less than impressed by my Bombadier Bitter, which I'd found lying around at the end of the party I'd been at - they're so inoffensive, I suppose they'd been forgotten about as opposed to discarded, so I scooped them up and added them to my next day stash. Rog was similarly underwhelmed when I unveiled my pasta breakfast, but after sampling some of his Tandori Chicken pack up, like Special brew vs Bombadier, it's a little like making comparisons between a party popper and a 21 gun salute. I swear this was still repeating on me 24 hrs later, my arse is burbling on the overrun like a GSV exhaust system (and I only had a morsel of the stuff). Anyway, sensing that I was lamely punching like an apparent lightweight, I was keen to point out that his hero would also later be similarly indulging in a light lunch of pasta, but Rog immediately countered with the fact that he wouldn't because fat ....... Uccio had probably exhausted all the Fiat Yamaha hospitality by Friday dinner. Anyway, in my defence, I had a speed camera workshop to attend the next day, and I was a mite wary about turning up on an r1 with a small plate, black visor and a race can -breath smelling like the Park Royal Brewery, with a hint of strong curry.
I must at this point highlight the fact that I have relinquished ownership of a Canon EOS due to domestic circumstances, so official photographers for this event were Rog, Bonnie and Willski. I am also aware that this post should belong in the last Doni - so maybe Jane, Frost, Ben or Dazza would obligingly move it there for me at some point
On the subject of which, Rog has bagged some excellent shots, following an altercation with several punters and the wire fence which I'll leave him to explain.
Wills having valiantly and heroically fended off the mayhem outside the circuit soon materialised, and another beer was had by all. Great to meet a very knowledgable like-minded racefan, who like Rog and Bonnie don't need to cower behind Google or take refuge inside their internet anonymity and are keen to share their passion for the sport and have a good crack in the process.
Perched on the hill, we awaited the races buffeted by a very strong westerly. Incidentally, Rog's chair was equipped with drink holder - (or two), mine was a cheaper more inferior version, which I hoped Bonnie would substitute when Rog dropped me off - but he was already on to the ruse. Being bereft of an armrest with a can holder is never going to be a garanteur of sobriety in the presence of Rog - or given the large stash of ale which we brought.
Regarding the race, there's nothing much I can add to the excellent observations and discussions already present on this thread. I managed to call the 125 and the 250 races - although, the 125 race being so chaotic doesn't really count, and I would never have predicted the win that Espagaro was so cruelly denied. Aoyama, I favoured because of the conditions, and what a championship ride that was. I completely ballsed up the main race prediction. I beleived that Vale would be unbeatable in the dodgy conditions, but if the track fully dried, then Dani would've cleared off. As a massive long term fan of Dovi, I knew that he loves this place, and that he had secured wins in the 125 and 250 classes but I really didn't see him bagging his first race win, and was privileged to be present.
Being at such close quarters to the racing, I can only convey the awe that we all felt toward the bravery of those riders. The dreadful conditions and the severity of the track surface toward the end of the main race did not come over on the television pictures. Seeing Edwards throttle pinned out of Starkey's and up into Schwantz, losing and saving the front, then subsequently defiantly fending off DePuniet and peeling out of that section with the same commitment in the dying laps of the race in ever deteriorating conditions - on slicks - that's what you part with your money for - and it's at times like these that you really appreciate first hand why they earn it. Rog's point about the necessity of intermediates is so compelling -why does no one act..there are lives at risk here.
I can't emphasize enough what great company Rog, Bonnie and Wills are, and racing aside, that's really what it's all about. Special thanks to Rog and Bonnie for taking a detour back into the thick of the race traffic to get me home, when a more direct route their way was possible. And thanks Rog for not leaving me roadside when I had to leap out for a piss in full view of the despairing blonde nurse in the car behind!
I blame the flimsy bladder and old age eh Rog?
It was great meeting up. Really enjoyed the company. Nice people with a real passion and knowledge of all things bike racing....
Arrabi, your Aoyama call was spot on ...Your sandwiches weren't
