Brands Hatch October 08, short report

[grotbag]

Just a short one as I expect the other members will also be writing one too and will (hopefully) remember the bit's that I've forgotton to include


The sun shon all day long. We got there early to watch some of the warm up's and wandered over to the Repli-cast pit's to say hello to Gary, Dave, Adam and the team and to have a look at Adam's bike which was all ready for his warm up session.

The warm up was great to see, Repli-cast have another daredevil rider! We watched from Hailwoods Hill where we could see most of the track.

We wandered back to the pit's then Adam rode back in, his bike was lifted up onto the bench then Dave set about it, taking off the farings, tank etc and started getting it ready for the race later in the day. While the hustle and bustle was going on Gary took us all on a VIP tour of the BSB pits which are inside the race track and the entrance is guarded by Stewards

Having got our passes OK'd by the Stewards and walking along inside the track, we were just about to go in the tunnel when Bandit12 let us know he was at the circuit but it was too late for them to come with us but there will be another time I'm sure

Out through the tunnel and there are Stewards every so many yards along the dual roads and keeping the traffic of people, scooters, bikes etc moving. Nothings allowed to stop along here as we found out on the way out while autograph hunting

Gary took us into some of the pit's and we all had a real good look at some of the BSB racers bikes as you'll see from some of Jewson's photo's. I've forgotten which one but one of the mechanics explained how they buy a bike, strip it then rebuild it for each rider to the tune of around 74K The pits tour was a real eye opener, the amount of work, time and money spent is fanominal.

Everywhere Gary took us, the people were friendly and every question was answered with understandable explanations, nothing was too much trouble and we were all made to feel very welcome, it was great! There was also opportunity for more autograph hunting and chat's with some of the BSB riders

After the pit walk we went off to watch the racing and met Bandit12 and ostrich in the grandstand which was great but in the full sun So some of us watched Adam's race and the last BSB race from Hailwoods Hill where we could get a bit of shade and wasn't facing the sun.

It was a smashing day out and a special highlight for me personally was meeting a young female mechanic who's enthusiasm for her career I found real refreshing - go girl!!


What I learned at Brands Hatch was (and this answered a question I forgot to ask at Croft) that all of the riders have to leave their bikes in a 'compound' on display, it's the bike racing law. (Hope I got that right)


So, as well as the racing there was also the opportunity to grab a bargain from one of the host of retailers and stands and there was also a funfair and autograph sessions with some of the racing greats.


The season starts again around April time, so if any tickets are put up for auction again, the my advice to bid for them, the money goes to help sponsor Ben's racing and also because a VIP pit walk with Gary is not like the Jo public pitwalk, Gary's is the M&S of pit walks - trust me! I for one am really looking forwards to watching Ben and Adam race next year and so is my son

BSB riders celebrate finale with fans

The 2008 Bennetts British Superbike Championship reached its conclusion at Brands Hatch yesterday and following an incredible season of racing the riders put on one last show for the bumper crowd that turned out in the sun to witness the finale.

Following the second BSB race of the day, the riders all formed up on the grid for a mass burnout celebration and once there was no Pirelli rubber left to burn the riders got up close to the fans, climbing over the armco barriers to sign autographs and throw anything they could over the fence into the crowd.

BSB champion Shane 'Shakey' Byrne's cap, Leon Haslam's race boots, James Ellison's gloves and Cal Crutchlow's knee sliders were just a few items that some lucky supporters would have left Brands Hatch with yesterday.

Fans were then given the unique opportunity to flock down on to the grid and into the pitlane to be part of the final championship-winning photoshoot and presentation with the 2008 title winners, whilst MotoGP hero James Toseland closed the BSB season by performing on the podium as the sun went down.

BSB fans were also treated to an hour long rider autograph session at the Bennetts/THINK! display area, with all of the top riders in attendance meeting their supporters at the final BSB race of 2008

britishsuperbike

[druidsam]

good report gb ...was there any races then


...............Sam

[grotbag]

damn I knew I'd forget something!

[Scudnut]

What a fantastic day. The weather reports were very good if not very believable. This time it was just down the road for us so we took the bikes, and this time there were 6 of us Spree and mini-Spree and Grots with Grots junior turned up the night before to help us demolish the beer supply. Manky kindly provided the camp site complete with tents, oh and bacon buttys in the morning as promised.

We left Catford early (ish) and half an hour later there we were, no hassle, no queues. we went to the Replicast trailer where we could leave all our gear, lugging that around all day would of been a night-mare. We met the new rider Adam, only 14 but such a proffesional aproach and attitute for the sport. Gary and the team were genuenly glad to see us and looked after us in every way possible, they really do apreciate our support.

For Adam and the team it was too late to make an impact on the championship but it was great to see the bike hold up to everything Adam put it through, a great pair and I'm sure we'll hear more of this young lad.
If you want the race results try google but be sure, Shakey was awsome.
The staff and technicains in the pit garages made us feel most welcome and now I know 10 fold about the sport compared to last week.

My first visit to Brands but definately not my last, we had a fantastic view from our grandstand seats and there is no way I'm going to be moaning about the heat of the sun for most of the day.

Foot long hot dogs (I had 2 by the way), quite an expensive lunch at a fiver each though, but hey, that's expected theses days.
Some good biking gear on the stalls and most of them with big end of season redutions, even Manks got his dough out and got me an early birthday prezzy, now I don't have to wear my work steelys on the bike.

People were leaving gradually, some because they'd seen the races they were there for and some I'm sure to get themselves out riding in the blazing sun.
When we left we walked through thousands of bikes looking for ours and we had to have a laugh at the fact ours were the only L plates there.

Great to meet Spree and see Grots again and great to meet Spree junior who really knows his bike stuff at such a young age. Grot's son was also great company and I'm sure we'll be seeing him again at a meeting or two.

Thanks manks for being such a great host and making sure we were fed and watered () and that we got to the venue well rested.

If you've read this and you haven't been to the Super bikes, next season is just around the corner, take the plunge, It really is a fantastic day out.

[grotbag]

Originally Posted by druidsam

good report gb ...was there any races then


...............Sam

Loads Sam, not quite sure if it's a lap of honour that these two are doing ........