I’ve got another really busy schedule ahead of me, I’ve just got back from Snetterton and once again it was a great weekend and I got the double win. I’m just taking each race as it comes and taking nothing for granted so each win means as much as the last to me. The fun and games began once again on Thursday and the troops went out for dinner, this week joining Storks, Smarls and I was joined by James and his wife Sarah, her sister Alex who is over from Texas and Baywatch Brogan. We headed to the Chinese that we found last year and obviously it was a very quiet and sedate meal lol!

Brogie was nominated driver and on the way back we had to do our weekly shop, however, it took us around half an hour to find a supermarket that was actually open! I forget my bedding, (again!) so now I’ve a nice collection of duvets and pillows building up at home. We got back to the track around 11, I shouted on Smarls to make the bed up for me, being a bloke it’s not my forte!

First practice went well and we were just had to make a few changes to the bike to suit the ultra fast Snetterton circuit and then we just aimed at getting some laps in under our belt. By the end of the day the boyz had managed to get the Airwaves Yamaha dialled in and I was looking forward to qualifying on Saturday. I needed my wallet on Friday afternoon and to my horror it has vanished (lost/stolen I don’t know!), I have no idea where it is so if any of you picked it up or found it and you are feeling generous enough to send it back to me then please do as it does come in useful to have a wallet!!

Saturday proved interesting as we knew rain was due, and up until Snetterton we’d always had a dry Roll for Pole session. I went out in session one and put in some laps in and I could see it was getting darker and the rain was coming. In the second part I went early and pushed for a quick lap, towards the end of that session it was drizzling and I was sitting P1. The team managers were called into a meeting to decide what to do and it was agreed the third session would be cancelled and the qualifying grid would go from session two, which gave me an unexpectedly early pole position.

I didn’t get the best of starts in race one and I was fourth after the first lap, I just made a big mistake at Russell’s and went across the grass at the end of lap two when the red flag came out due to a rider’s bike dropping oil. We were due a quick restart and I lined up in fourth place on the grid, I got a good start but got the door shut in my face into turn one. I was eighth after the opening lap and new I had my work cut out as it’s a fast track with not many places to pass.

It took me 14 laps to get to the front as I had to try and pick off a rider each lap and each time I seemed to find a different place to pass them. I managed to get past Rutter, Andrews, Lowry, Walker and Brooksey by lap eight and I was left with my team-mate James and Stuart Easton to try and have a battle with for the lead. I didn’t want to make any daft moves so had to plan each right, Stuart’s Honda is rapid and with him being so little he was super fast down the back straight and seemed a pull a bit of a gap. Once I got to the front I just got my head down and headed for the chequered flag but it was definitely a hard race.

In the second race my start wasn’t so bad and I was soon in second place and having a battle with Brooksey for the lead. His bike is quick and he had a good line so it was all about timing and where I may be able to make a break past him, I managed to pass him into the last chicane on lap five. For the remaining laps I just wanted to break away from the chasing pack as I knew a few of them were showing really good pace from the opening race.

I took my third double win of the season and it’s a great feeling, there is still such a long way to go yet though and I just need to keep battling hard and fighting for each win. I have Donington World Superbikes this weekend, James and I have a wild card ride on the Airwaves Yamaha, and if there was ever a time for me to ‘Kick Up A Gear’ it’s this weekend at Doni. I’m very excited and can’t wait to get out there with the World Superbike boys and see how we fare. I’m eager to get there and get going and see what the outcome is, hopefully a positive one, bring it on I say!

For old times sake we’ll be going for a Chinese with Shakey, Petra and Reggie so it’ll be good to catch up with my old team-mate and after his mega result in Misano who knows what the weekend will bring. It’s not going to be easy but I’m up for the challenge!

Straight after Donington I’m heading north to stay with Malcolm and Rhoda Rathmell, another mountain bike and trials sessions is planned and then straight to Knockhill on the Tuesday night/Wednesday morning for Superbikes in the Square – it’s all go but I can’t wait!

Hope to see you at Donington, give the Airwaves boys some support and come and say hello if you’re in the paddock. We need lots of support this weekend so come and cheer us on!

Thanks again for all your messages on my website, much appreciated.

Cheers

Leon #2