06/05/08
Darley Moor Testing
Darley Moor saw SJB racing in action this weekend, the goal was to get the bike stable and setup for the Cooperman. We had entered 2 classes which were the ‘Open Solos’ and the ‘Sound of Thunder’ in which we would run 2 races in each class.After leaving a sunny Suffolk the further we advanced towards Darley Moor the worse the weather got, eventually we arrived at a wet but quite humid race track. The sun did look like it was trying in earnest to break through the low cloud cover and dry the track with a potential to run on wets and drys.
Open Solo
The open solo races were already mapped out for us, running with GSXr 1000s etc the KTM Superduke was never really going to offer a challenge to the front runners. However the 2nd race saw Cooper launch himself off the grid akin to a drag bike, while the grid looked like a herd of prancing horses rearing up Cooper flew from 16th to 4th by time they reached Park Corner. Then came the first straight and another after the hairpin which took its toll on his position, once the field had settled itself Cooper got into his rhythm and confidently got the track time we required for him and the bike. By the end he finished a good 9th place ahead of some strong bikes.
Sound of Thunder
The weather had pretty much cleared up and both races were on a dry setup, Cooper had qualified 3rd on the grid and once again fired himself off the line to take the lead. The first 5 laps saw him battling with two Aprillia 1000s with a few exchanges from 1st to 2nd and back again, then lap 6 a sudden drop back to third Cooper seemed to be in trouble. Gesturing to the gear change lever he was having problems with we wondered if the pack would devour his lead and drive him down the positions, then the problem seemed to resolve itself. By this time the fourth place Triumph was gaining but Cooper had enough time on him and brought it home for a comfortable 3rd place. Problem found and dealt with.
Race 2 we had resolved all problems and apart from a few housekeeping jobs the bike was fit and ready to go. Cooper started from 3rd on the grid with the Aprillia 1000s 1st and 2nd, once again Richard ‘the rocketman’ Cooper let loose and flew. Well into the race on lap 7 Cooper looked comfortable with the KTM, Whitehead and his Aprillia had dropped back while Bland was still tailing Cooper pulling back time on the straights, he looked to lining up for a move on the last lap. As they exited out of the last corner ready to start the final lap Bland had the rear end twitch sitting him up and loosing a vital second. This was the end of his potential challenge as Cooper kept it smooth all the way not feeling the need to block or push too hard. The result, well 1st place and a race record with the first ever 90mph race average for the ‘Sound of Thunder’ series as a bonus.
The goal this Sunday was to get track time for the bike and for Cooper, with both parties looking content and happy meant that all goals had been achieved therefore and successful day in the SJB racing camp. With a third (a likely 1st without the problem) and a win on the day was a great way to over achieve, nice work Richard after a pretty hectic day for him and good work for the whole team, bring on Donny.
Richard also won the ‘Curtis Milner Memorial Cup’ race on his ZX6, this was especially important to him as the two were good friends, good work.
Mark
SJBracing
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