I soon realized I have a lot to learn in a short space of time, but I couldn't be in better hands with the team's help, combined with Ian's vast amount of experience.
At Cartagena, I started off cautiously and steadily built up the pace as I knew we had four days here. I found the engine braking the biggest change to get used to, and although we had a small problem to work around on the front forks, I was pleased with my overall times.''
As I mentioned, we had a bit of trouble with the front end of the bike. It was chattering and we couldn't quite solve it down there, so in effect I only had a couple of days riding but still managed around 140 laps.
I arrived at Brands for the opening round in confident mood, the weekend started off nice and steady and I had a good Free Practice on the Friday where I posted a very respectable 50.487 secs lap, in what was only my second time on the bike and I was placed in about 20th place. Qualifying was split into two groups and I found myself in Group B unfortunately the bike developed an oil leak which meant I only got four laps in the session.
Then in the second qualifying session on Sunday, I had a big, big, highside exiting Clearways whilst well placed in 10th position. The bike was ok but I was a bit bashed up with severe bruising to my back, however I was determined to have a real go in the shoot-out race to determine final grid places and I battled my way to 21st. I was feeling a little bit second hand and the thought of waking up and trying to get out of bed next morning was not an appealing one.
I was however greatly encouraged by my performance at Brands and I arrived for the next round at Thruxton with the aim of qualifying for the race. My lap times were again very respectable and consistent during Free Practice and qualifying, and once again I managed a place in the shootout race.
I was on the fourth row of the grid but managed to get up to ninth by the second lap and then settled into tenth for the next couple of laps. I was involved in a real dice with Tom Fisher and Anthony Haywood and there was nothing between us as we started our sixth lap.
However Terry Cope unfortunately crashed and the race was red flagged, I knew that the results would probably go on the previous lap and therefore I wouldn't qualify and unfortunately this proved to be the case, I was so close to making the 'cut'.
Again though, I took a lot of positives from Thruxton. For example, by the end of the meeting I was lapping three seconds faster than when I arrived.
Part Two - Oulton Park