What a day!!

As some of you know, I work for a major oil company. We sponsor a load of different things, from WRC to the FIFA World Cup but it also includes a few bike teams. For the main series (WSB, WSS etc) this is Honda via the Ten Kate team but we also have a link with the new BMW WSB team.

I know the people who manage the sponsorship and I kept mentioning that I would love to get a chance to go along to any events they run. Well that nagging paid off..... big time! The sponsorship manager came to me last week and asked if I'd like to go along to a round of the WSB.... in Portimao!

Of course I took his hand off..... after clearing it with the wife.

So I turned up at the track on Saturday morning and was taken for breakfast with the Alpha Racing team (who run the BMW motorsport stuff). Then I had a good nose around the garage, pits and race transporter. I was one of many people there and was very aware I was just a sponsor's guest, so a bit 'in the way', but nevertheless it was fascinating.

Anyway, lots of hanging around, then some practice, more hanging around blah blah. It got a bit dull TBH but it was just good to be amongst the people. I saw loads of the riders, said hello to Corser and nearly knocked Biaggi over! Then qualifying, which was very tense - Corser eventually managed to get on the 2nd row which everyone was pleased about, with Xaus 2 places back.

That night there was plenty of beer amongst the guests so the next morning was a bit difficult to get up - but I did, back to the track, more breakfast and general hospitality. Less access to the team today because, obviously, they were busy with set-up and getting into the races. There was plenty going on, with the Supersport as well as WSB. Anyway, results didn't go our way and although both bikes finished both races, they were in the 10-12th region consistently, which needs improving.

BUT!! Once it was all cleared up, I was chatting to one of the race engineers and said I was a biker but had only been on the track twice before. He then said "want to make it three times?". I laughed, assuming it was a joke but he wasn't joking....... he said that they were staying on a day and would be on the track on Monday; they like to give sponsors a 'once in a lifetime' experience when they can and I was in the right place at the right time. I couldn't believe it! I said I had no kit with me but he said they would sort that out.

Well, not a drop of beer passed my lips THAT night and I hardly slept. I got up at stupid o'clock and went back to the circuit, now pretty much deserted except for a few teams. Most of the riders had gone but the test riders were there. I pushed some breakfast around the plate and then was taken to a truck where they found me some leathers, gloves, boots and a helmet. Suddenly I was a rider - in amongst the other riders (although somewhat taller and more weighty than most!).

They took me to the garage where I was given a thorough briefing about safety - I have never concentrated so much on a safety briefing! They then went through the bike controls and said it would be on a 'customer demo' engine map, so about 80% of normal power and very soft delivery. They reminded me more than once about the race pattern gearbox and I was convinced I was going to lunch a £200,000 race bike.

Then I was on it. They had it started and running and I swung a leg over. I could hardly find the pegs they were so high and the saddle was like a patch of thin foam. They dropped it off the paddock stand and I was solo. One last reminder about the gearbox and I was sent off.

TBH the next few minutes are something of a surreal dream. I remember the tiniest details but the main stuff is a bit of a blur. I remember seeing a lizard running across the pit lane but can't remember using the gearbox... I must had done it right as I am still here.

I had 3 laps to see what I could do. Even on a soft engine map.....OH....MY....CHUFFIN....GOD!!! I felt like I was a learner again, all brakes and kangaroo hopping but I soon got the hang of the throttle and got a few corners under my belt. There were a few other bikes out but they were also 'novices' so weren't tearing around.

After 2 laps I had actually started to learn the track a bit and start braking later. I even pinned the throttle wide open (for 1.2 seconds apparently). Then the flag was out and I had to come in. I was relieved, disappointed, elated, tearful... all of it!

To sum the bike up, it was actually quite easy to ride in the end, after at first feeling so alien. It goes without saying the engine and brakes were unbelievable. The suspension was like silk, despite being very stiff. I managed a 2:32 lap, some 40-50 seconds behind the race pace so a little more to come I think, but you never know, I'll have to keep badgering the sponsorship manager.....

I have some pics I'll post up later. Still too excited at the moment to think straight and even now I'm shaking as I type this. I have had to wait before posting this as the sponsorship manager needed to let a few people know what happened before going public - I got the all-clear this morning.

I WANT TO RACE BIKES!!!!!!

Wow, what an opportunity that's awesome. An experience that will stay with you forever - fantastic.

I'm soooooooooooo jealous

What a fantastic experience

That is great, Paul

It was a great experience...... in my dreams.

Check your calendars guys. Sorry!

weasley wrote:It was a great experience...... in my dreams.

Check your calendars guys. Sorry!

I bloody knew it, I just didn't wanna sound rude and say anything

Hats off to you, just read thread, and in all honesty was ready to reply about how envious of you i was until last comment, best wind up in long, long time.

I bow before you, haha

Very funny & very believable post

Very good !! Had us all fooled !! Mind you I did think the description of the suspension was odd "like silk but still very hard " or something like that !

The question now for me is: a pint for you or for me at the meeting

Wow, completely got me there!! Have just shown hubby and he was drooling too!! Very good - well done!

JDM wrote:

Hats off to you, just read thread, and in all honesty was ready to reply about how envious of you i was until last comment, best wind up in long, long time.

I bow before you, haha

ditto - tho if i'd have posted that up you would all have known it was a wind up pmsl .... very good

Ah but would you have described the uspension as "silky yet still hard"???

Catches most amateurs!! HAHA

Still actually almost gutted it was wind up because sounded like damn great experience i would love someone to enjoy!!

no i'd have said it wasn't very bouncy and my bum hurt after ! that was after i kept falling off iin the pit lane

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Nice one . . . . . . what a wizz,ard wheeze