2015 Dad's Comments

29^th to 31^st August 2015 : Masterkids UK

Saturday 29^th August 2015

Qualified : 9^th

1^st Race : 7^th  

2^nd Race : 7^th  

So the last event on the Big Wheel and the excellently organised Masterkids UK. With over 400 riders and 80 in each class with the excellent atmosphere of this event it was always going to be a great weekend and a great way to finish the 85’s off. Jordan was in group A (first 40) for qualifying and posted 5^th fastest out of his group and then after the next 40 had gone he was 9^th fastest so good gate picks for the weekend. The first race start was poor as the bike bogged coming out of the gate (not enough throttle) so clawing from mid pack to a great 7^th by the finish. It could have been better but a back marker pulling off the track forced Jordan down the track exit and he had to turn the bike round and get back to the track loosing around 10 or more seconds. The second race start was excellent and a very closely fought race again resulted in 7^th place and Jordan getting closer to the riders in front.

Sunday 30^th August  2015

3^rd Race: 7^th                                                                                                                                                              

4^th Race: 7^th  

Overall: 7^th

So on to the second day with another two races. The first race again was a poor start getting caught in mid pack and trying too hard and aggressively, resulting in falling back to 18^th before regrouping and putting an excellent charge passing, at times 4 at a time, to come through and onto the back of 6^th place by the flag. The 4^th race and what was going to be his last ever Big Wheel ride saw a massive scrap from 4^th to 8^th place swapping places and taking lap times down by 3 seconds with all the rides in this battle posting a fastest lap time within 100^th of second of each other. In a last lap charge Jordan passed Denny Rapson over the line by a 10^th of a second to again finish 7^th. Monday morning saw the most horrendous rain and gave the organisers no choice but to call the proceedings to a close. So Jordan never got his last two races but all in all what an excellent weekend and he rode superbly and aggressively and a very fitting end to his Big Wheel class racing.

Once again we would like to thank you all for your support it is very much appreciated and we now look forward to the 125cc class (a year earlier than we wished) and hope that we can count on the same team for 2016 which has been great for 2015. THANK YOU!

22nd & 23rd August 2015 : Route 77 GT Cup – Round 7 Pontrilias

Saturday 22^nd August 2015

Qualified : 10^th

1^st Race : 11^th  

2^nd Race : 13^th

3^rd Race : 12^th

The meeting had a shortened timetable because of the threat of rain. With 8 minutes of qualifying Jordan pulled in after 1 lap, then re-joining and having the chequered flag put out in front of him as he came round on his fast lap meant he only had 1 qualifying lap and qualified in 10^th. The races were shortened by 5 minutes a race and Jordan having good starts but then a rider stopping in the first corner, he had now where to go but straight in the rear end and crash. He was also bought down whilst around 5^th in the other two all within the first three corners.   So the Pontrilias curse struck again! All he could do was chase from the back but this was always going to be against the clock. He rode awesome to get back to the top 10 with 4 riders to go at within 3 seconds of him he would have easily have passed them for a 7^th, 9^th 8^th but instead time gave him 11^th, 13^th & 12^th. I believe he is riding really well but he has to make his own luck something we need to work on over the winter.

Sunday 23^rd August  2015

CANCELLED

Overall: 11^th

Championship: 11^th      

So 11^th in the championship after 5 DNF’s (I work it out that he would have had at least another 75 points), having the injuries what a difference it could have made, I think he would have made the top 6 at the championships. I know I have repeated this time and time again but I am really proud the he has shown guts to ride through 2 broken arms a damaged shoulder. So on to the 125cc after  what looks like a fun one off meeting next weekend at the British Master Kids at Mildenhall.

Thank you all once again for all your support it is very much appreciated.

15^th & 16^th August 2015 : British Championship FAT CATS – Round 5

Saturday 15^th August 2015

Qualified: 26^th

1^st Race: 18^th  

2^nd Race: 18^th  

3^rd Race: 19^th   

So not on the bike since Desertmartin and a total engine rebuild. NumbNuts Dad forgot a kick start spacer and fitted the power valve wrongly. This meant that Jordan’ bike was running around ¾ of its power potential so struggled with a 26^th qualification. The problem at Fat Cats is that it puts you on the inside and whilst Jordan improved his starts massively with top 10 into the corner with the fastest lads powering round that outside meant slipping back into mid 20 places so it was a fight to go forward and that is exactly what he did with so class efforts and riding. He did with some really good lap’s times with the first two races on the spare whilst I mended the race bike. Well into top 15 on lap times and an excellent fight from 24^th to 10^th in the 5^th race when he was fastest towards the end and absolutely hauling. I said to him after that race that he was back after the two broken arms in four months and a shoulder injury!

So looking at the first three races on day one Jordan pulled forward in each of the races from the back from around 27^th and was riding really well. Unfortunately like most weekends this year our prep wasn’t great as Jordan was Ill on the Thursday/Friday will sickness and Diahorea, (which he has kindly passed to me today).

Sunday 16^th August 2015

4^th Race: 17^th                                                                                                                                                              

5^th Race: 10^th

6^th Race: 24^th 

Overall: 18^th could have been a nailed on top 15 in 14^th until the crash in the last race!

Championship: 17^th      

So finally get him to eat, day two was even better with a pull through to 17^th in the first. Then Jordan’s race of the series from 24^th to 10^th, I think that was the fastest I seen him ride since the injuries and reconfirmed the early season form was no fluke. Jordan was spent after the 5^th race so I made him have a shower and something to eat. He went out and again pulled from 26^th through to 12^th. He was putting a move in for 11^th halfway through and crashed, big, (1^st of the weekend). He would have made the top 10 again I have no doubt. He had no energy left after the crash and couldn’t get going again. But his lap times until then were good. However he had already secured a move to 17^th in the championship when I thought at best he would get back 18^th after 6 DNF’s, injuries, so more than happy with a respectable top 20 finish in 17^th out of 74 different rider scored at the championships. He has shown guts to ride through 2 broken arms a damaged shoulder and now coming back to form. So on to the GT Cup next week, can we pull a top 10 result at Pontrilias a track he hates and doesn’t get good results at, after all the problems then on to finish the Big Wheel class at the British Master Kids at Mildenhall. Then off to the 125cc a year early!

Thank you all once again for all your support it is very much appreciated.

Congratulations to Roland and his Rider Harry Kimber on the Big Wheel British Championship this proves how god the bikes are!

25^th & 26^th July 2015: British Championship Desertmartin (N.Ireland) – Round 4

Saturday 25^th July 2015

Qualified: 23^th

1^st Race: 29^th  

2^nd Race: 23^th  

3^rd Race: 21^st   

4^th Race: 20^th  

Great trip to Northern Ireland on Thursday to the awesome GP track of Desertmartin. It is such a great place to visit and I wish it was on the calendar every year (despite the guaranteed rain). A weekend of good speed but racing from the back and good style. This group of Big Wheel 85are slow closely matched that it is a shame his weakness is starts at the moment.

Qualifying was going ok, looking good in the three laps of practice before being timed, when he punctured the rear wheel on the first lap of timing going for the big table top and putting a spoke through the inner tube. So 23^rd wasn’t too bad at all. The first race was a shame whilst getting up into the top 15 he fell twice so a 29^th finish. The track was so flat for the first two races and too be honest a throttle jockeys preparation. Jordan is much more of a technical rider and this showed later on despite the tumbles. It was a weekend of constant fast pace riding and crashing, whilst trying 100% to get as far up the field as possible from the back. For some reason he was really nervous about the double up the start which I feel he held back because of so he was constantly riding from the back of the field in 35^th pace or there about. This is despite jumping it massive after the start and all the jumps around the circuit. Despite that he showed great pace and whilst at the back of a group of the 12 same riders all weekend, from 10^th to 22^nd, or thereabouts, he showed style and his speed was good. The first race his pace was as fast as 13^th  and faster than the group in front. The second race Jordan again was in the top 15 but a fall saw him finish 23^rd with a top 15 time. The third race was again the same coming from the back holding 14^th crashed and finished 21^st again with a good time and the last bad start fall and then coming through to 20^th his lap time faster than all in front up to 11^th.  I tried to encourage him to go for the start but he was very weary for some reason and I tried to explain that he was getting caught because the was faster than the riders in front of him so getting tagged.

Sunday 26^th July  2015

3^rd Race: 18^th                                                                                                                                                              

4^th Race: 23^rd

Overall: 22^nd

Championship: 21^st     

So with the fastest time yesterday being a 2:14 the first race saw Jordan pull a 2:07 a top 10 pace but coming from the back after a first turn pileup and clearly 3 seconds quicker than those in front he managed a 18^th finish this time without crashing. He got held for three laps by a couple of riders whose fastest times were slower than Jordan’s by 5 seconds so he really has to get those starts to show his true potential. The last race saw a fight in really wet conditions from the back initially into 12^th then a fall as he slipped into a deep sandy corner saw him lose 20 places starting the bike facing the wrong direction and then getting back to 23^rd by the flag.

So points moving Jordan on the verge of the top 20 with 72 scoring riders currently in the series and with 6 DNF’s, injuries I will be happy with a top 20 finish. He has shown guts to ride through 2 broken arms a damaged shoulder but clearly a little nervous despite crashing trying and giving it 100%. We will see out both the GT Cup & British and finish the Big Wheel class at the British Master Kids at Mildenhall. Then off to the 125cc a year early due to his size which I think now to be honest is having an effect on his crashes.

Thank you all once again for all your support it is very much appreciated.

18^th & 19th July 2015 : Route 77 GT Cup – Round 6 Fat Cats

Saturday 18^th July 2015

Qualified : 15^th

1^st Race : 12^th  

2^nd Race : 9^th  

I really hope this isn’t getting boring but just when we think we are back and getting a result we deserve, that horrible thing ’Bad Luck’ just keeps taking a great big bite out of our backside!

So Jordan is still continuing his fitness during the week with 4 nights in the Gym one mid-week bike riding session every other week which is showing in his riding. His comment before qualification was that he felt back to full fitness. Weird qualification and when Jordan returned he said ‘that’s the best I’ve ridden all year’. So when I told him he qualified 15^th he was shocked although there was only 2 seconds between 5^th & 18^th. I said to him that he done it differently this time to other qualifications with no fast lads to chase and he was getting bulked by the slower lads. I did watch the last lap times on the screen rather than the current fastest and on the last three laps Jordan posted the 2^nd best time on each. The trouble was the track cut up loads during the session and Jordan left it till the end to put his fast laps in. The first race start was reasonable, mid-pack, but a couple of fallen riders bulked his progress and he started of 5^th from last. Chasing through ridding great and Jumping big he caught to 12^th at the flag. The second race and an even better start, (We think we have resolved the mystery of his poor starts), fighting race long in a group of about 10 riders from 6^th to 16^th Jordan managed to stay strong till the flag and a good solid 9^th.

Sunday 19^th July  2015

3^rd Race: 7^th                                                                                                                                                              

4^th Race: DNF (Still scored 50% of race done)!

Overall: 11^th    

With renewed confidence for day 2 from a good performance on day 1 his start in race 3 was awesome, I think he could have holeshotted but as he moved across he bottled out at the last minute as the top qualifiers had the inside line and he gated 5^th. Holding 5^th for most of the race he had an awesome battle with Drew Anderson but a failed pass for 4^th and then holding off for 2 laps to make the pass after Denny Raspon came through pushing Jordan back to 6^th before the pass allowed the pack to catch Jordan despite the fact that Jordan had gapped them previously. A little tired on the last two laps he dropped 2 places as a pack of around 12 riders went over the line very close together. Despite that an awesome race and some brilliant riding jumping big, despite the strong winds. So now in 7^th Overall and looking good for a good weekend score Jordan was safe for the result overall when the bike stopped. We have stripped it and it is such a freak what happened that we couldn’t have maintained against happening. Yes it raised its ugly head again ‘Bad Luck’. Despite that we had a great weekend with some great riding and back to where we should be. Now looking forward to Desertmartin, Northern Ireland this weekend British Championship.

I think that Jordan is showing endeavour, It would be so easy to give in now and move, he won’t get what we wanted or he deserves but with such an injury hit year, bad luck, DNF’s we hardly have ever had in previous years, he has shown other strengthens such as will and determination. He is riding good and hard again and if he does finish in the top 10 in the British Cup Championship at the final round, then we will look back and be pleased he showed strength and courage and finished the year still a good rider but with growth and maturing to add to the package.

27^th & 28^st June 2015 : Route 77 GT Cup – Round 5 Mildenhall

Saturday 27^th June 2015

Qualified : 17^th

1^st Race : 8^th  

2^nd Race : 15^th  

So we continue in an injury packed year with little riding between events making poor preparation for weekend action. Despite that you cannot knock the kids’ determination in fact too much at times. 4 nights in the Gym one mid-week bike riding session every other week, due to costs, I don’t know how half the entry managed to go to Mildenhall on the Wednesday before for practice, taking kids out of school and missing work. Mind you it didn’t work for some as some of the top lads had bad weekend despite all the riding. Qualification was bad Jordan pulled over because he couldn’t get a clear run and still got bulked with no clean lap. With starts still terrible determination was the name of the game. In the first race Jordan managed to mussel his way to the front pack and in a dog fight managed to hold a very creditable 8^th with four of the top lads breathing all over him at the flag. The second race saw Jordan caught in at first turn pile up and from last 40^th fought back to 15^th at the finish with a top 10 lap time. Riding really well but still losing out on the points he deserved.

Sunday 28^th June 2015

3^rd Race: 16^th                                                                                                                                                              

4^th Race: 15^th  

Overall: 14^th    

I have to say Jordan attitude has matured his riding good and strong but the monkey on the back of bad luck remains. I am beginning to think that the bad luck he causes himself and we have talked about it and said he has to look ahead and stay out of trouble.  So a reasonable start in the top 10 for the start of the moto 3 and a push for a pass resulted in being squeezed on to the bank and down he went being trapped under the bike. Starting last he picked his way through but was then taken completely out by another rider which resulted in Jordan expressing his frustration at the end of the race with the other riders parent saying ‘that’s racing’! Really at schoolboy motocross I call that dangerous – Mr Razzle!  His hearts in it! So again coming from the back he managed to get back to 16^th. Again speed and riding was good. The last race was stopped after 3 laps due to a 15 bike pile up whilst Jordan was holding 7^th. Here is the hard luck story again! So after an hour break and a restart holding 12^th two riders went down, going past the incident, another rider popped out the berm and took Jordan’s front wheel and down he went. Restarting in 27^th he fought back but lost the front again trying too hard and had to come back again for 15^th at the finish. It was a strange meeting for the fast lads as Jake Parker, Ryan Allison, Declan Hunter all had really bad rounds but all rode well. This motocross game is a strange one!

Still in the Top 10 and with 2 months to go before we move to 125cc Jordan wants to finish the Big Wheels off. It would be so easy to give in now and move, he won’t get what we wanted or deserves but with such an injury hit year he has shown other strengthens such as will and determination. He is riding good and hard and takes it all in his stride and the main thing is that he is enjoying it!  He’s now 5ft 11ins, and possibly the tallest BW rider, (Damn Milkman!), perhaps it is having an effect. Others are frustrated with the season and are moving now, 4^th in last year’s series, Jake Parker, has now put on Facebook that he has moved up.

6^th & 7^th June 2015 4th Round Route 77 GT Cup – Hilton Park

Saturday 6^th June 2015

Qualified: 16^th

1^st Race: DNF  

2^nd Race: 12^th  

So coming into the meeting with Jordan trying to get back to fitness, 3 evenings in the gym and then continuing the run of bad luck midweek with two failed bikes on Wednesday evening resulting in two full evenings into the very early hours on Wednesday & Thursday to get the bikes ready to go. In great hope, we thought that has just got to be the run of bad luck surely! So going out the gate on the first lap the rear brake ceased on the race was over DNF! He did manage to get the bike back to the work area but he was three laps down. The second race however I saw the start of a return of Jordan to his pre injury form. Starting a lowly 25^th he stormed through the pack to 8^th and was closing in on the pack in front when the fitness showed on the last two laps. It must have been the effort for his recovery to 8^th which told on a track that was extremely rough and he fell back into the pack behind complaining of his arms aching and achieving 12^th by the flag.  A disappointed Jordan who had seen his championship place drop out of the top 10 back to 13^th felt dejected and despondent.

Sunday 7^th June 2015

3^rd Race: 5^th

4^th Race: 13^th  

Overall: 15^th    

Championship Position: 10^th (466 points 56 off target 5^th Place! Perhaps this is now unattainable but were give it a shot!)

I decided overnight to perhaps be a parent and not an MX dad! I left him in bed thinking if he wants it then he will sort himself out if not accept it! I don’t class myself as pushy at all but I think we had both reached the bottom! He woke up at 10am and straight went over to his helmet to clean it and we had yet another big heart to heart. Storming out of the gate he got a nudge which pushed him back to 15^th but by the end of the first lap he was 9^th and it was the old Jordan and relief as my thoughts ‘WE’RE BACK!’ Charging hard he left the second pack chasing down the top 5. Mid race he was 2 seconds a lap quicker than the next two but then a puff of smoke and I thought the engine had gone. Dropping pace by 5 seconds a lap he only lost one place. I caught up with him at the end of the race and his shock had come undone and dropped all the oil and gas and was like a pogo stick. How he managed to hold position and finish like that god knows! It was that bad if you pressed it down then the rear wheel jumped off the ground so what must it had been like on track at speed? A repair by trackside support and into the last race of the day. Jordan went down with a number of the top lads and received a rear wheel puncture in the crash. Last but the puncture wasn’t going to stop him he charged as hard as he could and got back to 13^th, what a ride! On the last lap the tyre was off the wheel rim but he hadn’t been lapped so 13^th was secure and crossing the line with a collapsed rear wheel I know Jordan’s back now!

Championship he clawed his way back to top 10 in 10^th and only lost 1 place. Yes it’s going to be hard but with 3 rounds left he’s determined to try his hardest in what has been the toughest season yet with serious injuries and just pure bad luck.

30^th & 31^st May 2015: Auto & Youth GP – Hilton Park

Saturday 30^th May 2015

Qualified: 6^th

1^st Race: 6^th  

2^nd Race: 9^th  

3^rd Race: 5^th   

Just when we thought his right arm was right he had another tumble two laps into a practice three weeks ago and hurt the left arm, so we rested until this meeting! So this was a getting bike fit ride and practice. I think he expected too much after injuring both arms in the past 7 weeks breaking one and severely damaging the other. So not a big line up but it was a practice ride and as I was running timing for the weekend event which was for riders up to BW 85 and included the British Auto GP.  Off the pace of the front runners but none the less not too far, but he started looking out of sorts on day one with a clutch plate issues he slammed the gate twice on the first day coming from the back. He pulled over in the second race complaining of tiredness in his arms, then went back out two laps down. I explained I wasn’t expecting anything and he seemed to be putting himself under massive pressure. So a chat after day one that he needs to get bike fit as due to the injuries he’s done no practicing in between races and only raced events all year.

Sunday 31^st May 2015

4^th Race: 4^th

5^th Race: 5^th  

6^th Race: 4^th  

7^th Race: 4^th

Overall: 4^th    

So a big heart to heart and now we have a different focused Jordan understanding that he’s not going to jump straight back to the front pack! We have a training programme with Patrick Major (Maxxis MX1 rider) planned from now on. He’s hitting the gym and we are focussing on mid-week practice on Wednesday with Patrick. So improving each race and trying different lines and styles of riding results weren’t important and he maintain the lap times on a deterring track so he was getting faster and looked smooth in the last three races. So all in all on the podium with a fourth was a good result and effort and now back the Route 77 GT Cup at the weekend and hopefully maintain top 10 in the championship.

9^th & 10^th May 2015: 2^nd Round British Championship – Cusses Gorse

Saturday 9^th May 2015

Qualified: 26^th

1^st Race: DNF  

2^nd Race: 23^rd  

3^rd Race: 22^nd  

Again still in recovery from breaking his Humerus (upper arm) and after the laser surgery, this year is just not being kind to us but he's still trying to maintain the chances of a reasonable finish!

Out for qualifying and things clearly weren’t right the bike was playing up misfiring and on the first timed lap Jordan pulled in. I said you’ll have to go and try to qualify after stalling with the bike cutting out on all but 1 lap Jordan managed to limp in 26^th so relief as this year they have 60 riders going for 40 places in the main. So a rush to try and fix the bike and thinking we had sorted it with a change of plug, plug cap the bike seemed fine on the stand. Halfway through the second lap it was clear the bike was cutting out again so coming over the line for the second lap it failed and we DNF’d. Can things get much worse! Injury, 3 DNF’s now at the British all we can do now is try the hardest and try to get back to a respectable place in the championship. Target reset for 15^th were now 23^rd, 62 points of top 15. The next races with Jordan miffed, poor starts and the massive jumps at Cusses causing him some pain in the arm coming through to mid pack finished in the main was a good effort.

Sunday 10^th May 2015

4^th Race: 16^th

5^th Race: 20^th

6^th Race: 23^rd  

Overall: 22^nd   

Championship 23^rd 431 points.

Out first again on day 2 and with a heavily watered track Jordan made a good top 10 start. He held this for half the race when the usual top lads started to push. He gave it a fair bash resulting in him dropping to 16^th in the last 2 laps because of his lack of strength and fitness. The next race and Jordan was involved in the first corner pile up. Being well down he mounted a fight back getting inside the top 20 but with 2 laps to go again fitness dropped him a couple of places. The last race and Jordan missed a gear going up the start straight so last into the corner and again a fight through to a mid-pack result.

In might sound a little glooming but being positive and all-in-all we have to remember it is only a month since breaking his arm and he has still kept going to remain in the championships. So Route 77 GT Cup laying 9^th 39 points off of the top 3 and  despite 3 DNF’s only completing 75% of the races at the British due to injury and laying 23^rd (remembering the British is a huge line up) we have to accept the challenge! So accepting this it will be a great effort if the new target is met, repeating a top 5 in the Route 77 GT Cup and top 15 in the British Championship. At the end of the year we will go up to 125cc a year early due to his height.

2^nd & 3^rd May 2015: 3^rd Round Route 77 British Cup - Landrake

Saturday 2^nd May 2015

Qualified: 8^th

1^st Race: 9^th  

2^nd Race: 11^th

Still in recovery from breaking his Humerus (upper arm) and after the laser surgery, Jordan tried to make the best with his still weakened arm on a track which we have had nothing more than disastrous results. With a track prepped like ‘Brands Hatch’, which to be fair to the organisers, was there only choice given the weather forecast, this made qualifying a test of speed and nerves with only 10^th’s of seconds between the top 10. So 8^th on the start grid was a very respectable position given the injury and meant a good gate pick. So into the first race with starts improving each week, what a joy to see Jordan storm into the ‘Holeshot’ and he was gapping in the lead until a spin in the rain just before the whoops meant he lost his lead then a further fall meant a first race 9^th was a good start, especially as it was Hard Pack our least favourite conditions. Race 2, lesson learnt, we must remember to lock in what we have learned with starts and a relaxing of this meant a terrible 35^th start which given the circuit and the rain Jordan remained in for a lap and a half as he made mistake after mistake riding on the ‘Shinny’! Jordan then remembering that he needed to use the wide gripping made all the difference as be began to haul and made it onto the back of the top 10 on the last lap and given another lap would have past the next 3 riders, still 11^th was good after still being at the back at the start.

Sunday 3^rd May 2015

3^rd Race: 13^th

4^th Race: 7^th

Overall: 7^th  

With a deluge of rain all night the track was ripped and power harrowed and conditions were better although the track still didn’t rut up quite as suspected. So the 3^rd race was a road race who got the start and stayed on was always going to get a great result. Unfortunately Jordan’s start was the same as the 2^nd race having to come from the back making headway was hard and after a mistake his arm was hurting so trying to shake off the pain he managed to get back to 13^th. Annoyed and upset Jordan was extra focused for the last race. Just before the start of and then during the 4^th race the heavens opened and the track was really slippery. Getting a reasonable start in 12^th Jordan made it through for a great 7^th and using his head settled mid-way as the conditions worsened and the overall resultant being 7^th Overall and good points haul and part of the podium presentation. Jordan now lays 9^th in the championship with 361 points but closer than after round 2 to the top 3 only 39 points separating 9^th to 3^rd.  Were happy given the last 2 rounds riding with a broken arm and still in the shout for a good championship position.

18^th & 19^th April 2015: 1st Round BYN British Youth Nationals - Haverigg

Saturday 18^th April 2015

Qualified: 26^th

1^st Race: 30^th

2^nd Race: 39^th

3^rd Race: 16^th

This was always going to be tough, less than 2 weeks after breaking his Humerus (upper arm), after some laser surgery and defying medical advice not to ride, Jordan attempted to ride the best he could at the 1^st round of the BYN. I’m not sure Jordan understood how much of an ask it was going to be and there was no faulting his efforts. I said to him before going out with 59 other BW riders for qualification that qualifying for the main made the weekend, so 26^th was great what came next was just extra.

This group of BW are something else very little between them and it was just like watching a war! A first race start in the top 10 was not what I expected or wanted after months of not getting starts this would have to be the weekend he started to nail them! Trying to stay with and battling at the front of Britain’s best Jordan strength was not there and he washed out two thirds around the first lap. Picking himself up in 36^th he raced through to 19^th before a spill two laps from the end and finally finishing 30^th. The second race was even more of a disaster holding 9^th for two laps another spill then another getting landed on by the following two riders I asked him to pull out on safety. I had to explain to a very annoyed Jordan that his strength in his arm was not enough to counter act the turning using his right so right turns were particularly vulnerable to washout and despite now getting starts just back off at the begin a little. He went to the line angry and determined and listened to my advice. He gated towards the back but a great effort and a fantastic battle between him, Gary Ashley and Regan Brooks whilst coming through the pack saw Jordan laughing and joking with Gary and Regan at then reliving the tremendous battle to an admirable 16^th. So a reasonable end to day one time for a few beers and a lay on the beach, me not Jordan!

Sunday 19^th April 2015

4^th Race: 19^th

5^th Race: 39^th

6^th Race: 14th

Overall: 30^th

Day two and with an aching arm Jordan went out for the first race coming through in great style from a towards the back of the pack to a creditable 19^th. Race two Jordan couldn’t get going and a few mistakes left him bewildered going backwards and he deciding to pull out to save the arm for the third race. The third race was great a reasonable start after getting caught up in the mix as a pack went down and racing from 28^th to 14^th at the flag. In the middle of the race he got mixed up with another rider who was brake checking him and trying to run him off the track. I was particular relieved when that rider went down and Jordan could get on with gaining another 5 places but his tow to top 10 had been halted by this rider yet him times were there!

Despite this what an effort guts and determination mixed with disappointment and upset. The emotional roller-coaster was hard for both of us over the weekend. Hopefully a two week break will mean his is fully mended but will not be bike fit. However he has made sure he has a good chance in both the BYN and British Cup to get a great championship finish despite the injury. 209 points to the greater and only 52 to top 15 that now has to be the seasons target with anything best just awesome!

4^th & 5^th April 2015: 2^nd Round Route 77 British Cup (Formerly GT Cup) – Preston Docks

Saturday 4^th April 2015

Qualified: 5^th

1^st Race: 13^th

2^nd Race: 9^th

Qualifying was good gaining 5^th, despite a lose seat distracting him. In the 1^st race start getting the drop looked promising but then the bike bogged and Jordan was left stranded. Restarting the bike he charged so crazy that within the 1^st lap he went from 33^rd to 12^th, yes that is not a typo! On the second lap he was in 7^th but on the biggest jump on the track, which the adults were only just doing, Jordan flew so high I thought I would have to ring Nasa for sponsorship. Clearing the jump and flat landing he was obviously hurt but still on the bike and not backing off, (taking him to hospital on Sunday night we found he had completely fractured his upper arm near the shoulder socket!). He held 8^th for 3 laps but ended up screaming in pain and dropping back to 13^th in points. Getting Jordan checked out and then getting him to have a sports massage he went to the line in pain for the second race. Gating a creditable 8^th Jordan went to 5^th in the first lap and held that for and further 3 before the pain started to kick in. holding 7^th for a further 3 laps he could not hold on any longer and on the last lap dropped to 9^th. Still a very brave effort and within top 6 lap times. So 5^th in the championship at the end of the day, rewards for his guts and determination was showing.

Sunday 5^th April 2015

3^rd Race: 7^th

4^th Race: 28^th

Overall: 13^th

Championship place: 10^th.

Day two and getting him constant sports massages with pain killers was the order of the day. I stress I did ask him not to ride but he was insistent. After an 11^th place start Jordan was on fire and raced through very skilfully to 5^th but could not hold on and once again in pain he dropped back to 7^th at the flag. Despite this what a hero and what happened in the last race he did not deserve.  He gated 8^th and was taken out on the second corner falling on his damaged shoulder. So moving from last to 17^th on the second lap he was coming through, THEN, he jumped and landed on another rider’s bike. Once again crashing he picked himself up and carried on, however this time it was over the pain was too much and after getting back to 21^st he had to concede to the pain. He pulled into the pit lane and I told him to quit. Despite this he went back out for the last lap to gain what could be an important 13 points come the end of the championship.

So what does this lad have to do to get a break (excuse the pun!)? His guts and determination have left him in the top 10 in the championship only 28 points off of the top 4. With 900 points up for grabs in the remaining rounds, his speed, even whilst injured, still recording in 3 races within the top 6 best times, we have to get him fixed and rested. He’s proven that he can have three weeks off not riding since the 1^st round and still qualifying 5^th, that the rest should not affect his speed. Come on this lad deserves more! The hospital say it’s between 2 and 4 weeks rest, the British is 2 weeks away?

14^th & 15^th March 2015: R1 Route 77 British Cup (Formerly GT  Cup) – Wilden Lane

Saturday 14^th March 2015

Qualified: 6^th

1^st Race: 18^th

Jordan had been ill for two days prior with fever so a good dosing of medicine and Saturday morning saw a focused Jordan ready for action. Qualifying was good, pumping out consistent fast laps and qualifying 6^th. Delays in the proceedings meant only one race on day one, 4.5 hours after qualifying. After a poor start and having to avoid two pile ups Jordan went over the finish line on lap one in 26^th (Wilden first records after three corners) however what a fight through the pack and the lap times were so good, top 6 and you can take 2 seconds off at least for passing through the slower riders so that would have put him 4^th fastest. Going into the penultimate lap Jordan just passed for 6^th and was on 5^th when two back markers went across his path and he couldn’t avoid going down. Getting up he tried to start the bike but it wasn’t having any of it. For a whole lap he tried and tried to start the bike but it wasn’t having it, eventually he started it, a lap down and rolled home 18^th, he did NOT deserve that! He was awesome. Sponsors got their monies worth as everyone was willing him on and I lost count how many people said that he was amazing.

Sunday 15^th March 2015

2^nd Race 5^th

3^rd Race: 7^th

4^th Race: 7th

Day two and putting the disappointments (we thought!), behind us the bad starts continued all weekend with another 17^th at the start and again a fight through this time holding position for a brilliant and distant from the pack 5^th. The Third race start was 16^th and a little longer to get through and a coming together with another top lad knocked him back 5 places he had gained but undeterred he managed 7^th by the flag falling on the last lap as he hit neutral going for a pass on Tommy Clark for 6^th. You can’t fault the effort he is racing to the end and wants it so bad! The third race was an 18^th start and with the race times a little shorter time was against him, or though we thought! up to 5^th in 4 laps and going for a pass for 4^th with lap times comparative to take him on to top 3, he powered through a rut and lost the use of the gear stick as it got caught, for the rest of the race. Stuck in fourth gear and with the tight corners at Wilden, how he managed to hold as he did was awesome. The 4^th place would have secured a 5^th Overall from an 18^th first race which would have been an amazing comeback over the weekend. Bad luck, huh, at least we have some luck LOL! So although he had a good gap, the loss of gears costing 6 seconds a lap, he was unable to hold 5th on the last lap and was passed, finishing 7^th. Because the points were so close as Jordan had come back from the poor first race this cost him a podium 5^th Overall and equal 7^th in the Championship. With only two point separating Jordan from 5^th and all the bad luck I keep telling him it’s not a disaster and his speed should put him in his right place within top 5 at the next rounds or better.

So the plan has had a hiccup which we will recover from but given the injustice and bad luck surely we’ve had our share of bad luck now and must look at the positives of the speed and the skill in the riding of which many, many people are commenting on!

JORDAN HEARN : 7^th & 8^th March 2015 : RRW Events Hawkstone Park

Saturday 7^th March 2015

Qualified : 9^th

1^st Race : 7^th

2^nd Race 10^th

3^rd Race: 8^th

Overall: 6^th            1^st Jack Bintcliffe 2^nd Tom Grimshaw 3^rd Callum Gasson 4^th Declan Hunter 5^th Callum Mitchell 6^th Jordan Hearn.

We rolled up to the first meeting of the year at Hawkestone Park for the RRW event after limited practicing, only being out three times since Christmas and no racing. It was a plan as Jordan was on form the little we had gone out and I didn’t want burn out as we have a tendency to go off mid-season and come back strong at the end. When seeing the line-up I panicked a little thinking had we prepared properly, we were only there to get start practice and some confidence for the GT 1^st Round next weekend and dial the bike in. Jordan was excited to wear his new kit and race his new bike he had only just ran in the weekend before. Qualifying was good, 9^th and then first race on Saturday and Jordan was pushing from a 10^th place start and was 6^th going into the last lap and then a fall shortly after relegating him to 10^th. With a spirited charge to the flag he got back to 7^th at the flag. The second race saw another good start but arm pump for what was Jordan’s first time saw him drop back to 10^th at the finish from 7^th whilst in a pack of 6 battling for 6^th to 11^th places. Looking at the bike I made a mistake of not checking the front tyre pressure when from new and it had over 70 psi in it rather than 16 psi, poor mechanic! The third race saw the worse start of the weekend in 28^th and a very spirited fight back to 8^th by the flag earned him a very credible 6^th Overall on day one.

Sunday 8^th March 2015

Qualified : 8^th

1^st Race : 5^th

2^nd Race 12^th

3^rd Race: 6^th

Overall: 6^th            1^st Jack Bintcliffe 2^nd Callum Mitchell 3^rd Tom Grimshaw 4^th Owen Woodhouse 5^th Jake Winnard 6^th Jordan Hearn.

2 day Overall :      1^st Jack Bintcliffe 2^nd Tom Grimshaw 3^rd Callum Mitchell 4^th Owen Woodhouse 5^th Jordan Hearn 6^th Jake Winnard

Day two was overcast with a threat of rain in the air. Jordan fell on the second lap whilst chasing Bintcliffe and twisted his ankle. In a large amount of pain and what looked like what was going to be an end to the weekend , he pulled over for two laps. He decided it had eased enough for an attempt to qualify well. So 8^th in the circumstances was good. By the time the first race came round the ankle was easing and a great start and holding onto to the top four for most of the race with a good distance from the rest he took an easy last lap to secure the position and finished a brilliant 5^th.  The rain came down relentless for two hours after and tore the Hawkstone circuit to shreds and it was so deep I’ve never seen it like that before. With the veranda not graded there were woops all the way up and many were struggling with almost all riders having a fall at some time during the race. Jordan gated brilliantly and jumped into 3^rd but with such a huge jump his front then washed and down he went. Getting up slowly he was last and with a spirit ride and two further falls whilst pushing so hard he finished 12^th. Really upset he took some consoling. A few checks on the clutch and some simply changes as he was over heavy on it in race two it was going to be interesting what happened at the start with the changes. He managed to get the drop but then with another rider leaning on him he had to fight to the corner and gated a great 3^rd. With track so deep Jordan explained that he just wanted a good finish so settled for 6^th by the flag.

Another 6^th Overall on day two and 5^th Overall for the two days combined and with over 40 riders on the line all goals met and more, has set us up for the GT Cup 1^st round. So the plan is on!