With the final round of the 2021 BSSO Championship looming the bike was still nowhere near race condition after its previous outing at Cadwell Park. Having ran the bike in both the Stock and Super Groups all season it was tired to say the least and in much need of some care and attention.
How it had performed so well all season under the strain that it had been put under really does bring home how lucky I am to have been racing under the Team Replay banner and having the many years of experience and expertise that Paul White and Jon Gilbert bring to the scooter racing scene. With customer demand and the order book at JG Scooters at an all-time high Paul White very kindly postponed his retirement plans, put other workshop matters on hold and put his full attention to the bike on his workbench that he hadn’t worked on since he built it back in 2019. Had he not volunteered to do this I certainly wouldn’t have been racing the following weekend.
For someone who has a reputation for breaking and wearing out things that don’t normally break I was interested to say the least in what he might find. With the scooter and box of spares safely in the hands of Chalky any worries regarding the race bike and its readiness for Lydden Hill were now just a distant memory.
In the meantime, my spare time was spent studying the various media I had relating to Lydden Hill. Having purchased my photographs from each BSSO outing from Lee Hollick photography I was able to look at body position race lines and track position of not just myself but also the more established and experienced racers, along with the Bob Keen DVD ‘Lord of Lydden’ that I had purchased from the previous years racing. The gap between novice riders and the top BSSO riders was immense. However, this gave me lots to build on and after my first ever visit to Lydden Hill in the torrential rain this year I was more mentally prepared than I had ever been for a race meeting.
What I lacked in experience and ability I felt I certainly made up for with enthusiasm, also being a part of the Replay paddock I was lucky to have access to some of the finest riders that the BSS0 has seen over recent years. Luckily Darren and Steve Conneely have always found time for me and my endless questions about the tracks, riding the machines and everything race related. You need a thick skin to race scooters as Chalky and Jon are renowned for the brutal and honest feedback they offer after each and every time out on a Replay Machine. Always delivered and received with the best of intentions it often brings some cracking banter to the paddock and some memorable one liners, the advice is however invaluable.
In the week before the race meeting Chalky had contacted me informing me that the race bike had been subjected to a full 100% engine rebuild and now wanted for nothing. I dread to think how many hours had been spent getting the bike to this stage but the support time and encouragement that Chalky has offered me during my time racing will not be forgotten. As mentioned, when I first started Chalky’s wise words “preparation is everything”. In my youthful exuberance and quest to increase my corner speed I had virtually worn through the right had side of the exhaust during the season. Exhaust clearance and the importance of body position is something that the Conneelys have repeatedly emphasised to me and will feature later in the article. Taylor Neal, another Replay rider and mechanic at Replay Scooters repaired the exhaust and added a “hero plate” which should hopefully prolong any grinding away of the exhaust. Taylor a BSSO race winner himself and championship runner up has also been helpful and available with race tips and advice, sharing his knowledge and experience of being a Team Replay rider throughout the season.
With the bike being set up on the dyno loaded into the van we were ready to go racing!!
Saturday arrived and the paddock was bustling as it was an early start for the BSSO riders and practice and qualifying were together for both stock and super classes. A cold but dry track is what met us and wise words from Steve Hamilton and Dave Bristow was given regarding the importance of really getting the tyres up to temperature before we tried to set those quick qualifying times which would determine grid position.
Ten minutes of qualifying and I’d set a time of 102.2 seconds, already significantly quicker than my best time from last year. Not a bad time as I was not hugely behind established racers Paul Fitzgerald and John Woods (also in my class), which meant I was on row 7 along side the forementioned riders with Bob West, Harry and Andy Walker from DSC in front. I was really hoping that I wouldn’t suffer from my dreaded appalling starts which had dogged me all season and lost me valuable time and positions in virtually every start this season.
It was back to the pits for a refuel, the scooter on the bench and then stand clear whilst Dan went through his check list making sure the bike was ready to hit the track once more. Before long we were out for Supers qualifying with some temperature still left in the tyres. This time I was able to stay on the back of some of the experienced riders which certainly brought me on. I knew that if I could get anywhere near the back of Bob West from SRP Taffspeed on his production machine there would be no one better to follow, as with his vast experience he knows every track inch by inch and is known for his consistent lap times and track craft. I was also aware from my experience at Cadwell that Bob was great on the brakes and would often nip inside you on the corner entry at the last minute to facilitate the overtake. Well, a huge improvement with a qualifying time of 59.4 seconds and row 7 in between Fitz and Harry and in the company of Bob, Fitz, Harry, and production class challenger Shaun Nickells regarding lap times.
Saturday
Saturday’s racing started in an eventful manner. For once there was no bad start and I hadn’t fallen way behind the pack. Chalky had set the clutch up perfectly for me and I was able to stay with moto cross racer Harry who has become renowned for his fast starts. We were in new territory as we went round the first sharp left hander and up the hill as part of the group. With only feet separating the riders Steve Wright ended up parting company with his DSC machine at the hairpin in front of Paul Fitzgerald and myself which is not something you want to see in race one. Thankfully Steve was uninjured but his Production Class championship hopes were severely dashed. An eventful race ensued for me with close racing between myself, Harry, John Woods and Paul Fitzgerald. Unfortunately the race was red flagged due to a serious crash involving Jeremy Steel from team JPS and James from DTC. As with every incident that occurred on track during the weekend the marshalls, race controllers and medical staff were nothing short of outstanding. Thankfully both riders are making a good recovery. For me a best lap time of 58.2 seconds setting a new personal best and with confidence increasing I was looking forward to the first Group 6 race.
The race started and yet another good start, which allowed me to battle with Fitz, Harry and Bob West, with positions changing throughout the race leading me to a 10th place finish and another new personal best of 56.9secs. Dan, assisted by team sponsor Josh Morris owner of KYOZEN Mouldings gave the bike a full going over and we were soon lined up for the second stock race. Having yet another good start I was again in the pack and enjoying my newly found pace. However, this wasn’t to last long! Darren Westgarth from Team DSC and the team of DSC mechanics had been working frantically to gets Darren’s bike sorted after earlier issues as he was aiming for a top 3 championship finish. Due to an extended delay on the start line due to a sidecar unit being recovered off the track the race had been delayed causing engine temperatures to raise. As the group approached the sharp left hander his engine seized causing a massive high side throwing him clean from the bike and hard to the ground. The chaos behind caused the following riders to take evasive action as his bike was sprawled in the centre of the track. As I’d moved over to the right of the track for the line for the corner there was nothing I could do as riders started to leave the track. Off the track I went as riders went down in front of me. Justin Offland was one of those in front of me sliding down as I took evasive action, as the bike went from under me crashing into the no 17 bike I was once again sliding down on my back off the bike. Justin didn’t appear too badly injured as I moved to check on Darren who had certainly taken a huge impact. Again, the medics, marshalls and track officials dealt with the incident in a thoroughly professional and efficient manner. The race restarted without me as I had twisted my headset amongst other things which needed the attention of Dan back in the paddock. Justin’s bike had taken the brunt of the impact and was in a far worse state than mine with a bent frame for a starter. However, the collective racing team would soon have it straightened, checked over and re scrutineered ready for Sunday’s racing.
Team DSC social evening
Saturday night had the usual DSC social with the DSC ladies providing a variety of culinary delights for everyone. Darren Scott and his team had kindly invited us which set a great tone for the evening. A special thank you must go out to Sharon Woods and Julie Westgarth and to everyone from the BSSO paddock for all the time and hard work they put in looking after everyone with food and beverages over the weekend and not just the DSC members. It really does show how welcoming the BSSO paddock can be and what a great atmosphere can be had.
A great start and the bike was performing perfectly, I had managed to keep the bike on pipe and was no longer losing power in the faster corners due to changing my cornering technique and how I approached the bends. I managed to get in front of Andy Walker and John Woods and over the next couple of laps I had overtaken Harry and Fitz. Soon I had passed Mark Shirley and Bob West as well as Shaun Nickells. Far more experienced and quicker riders who throughout the season were always way in front of me and certainly people I wouldn’t be battling with and overtaking. This was new territory for me but things had just finally clicked and after the hairpin at the top of the hill I managed to overtake Justin Offland moving into 11th position. My lap times got quicker and quicker as I approached the end of the race, the following group weren’t overtaking me and I dropped my time to a 56.4 sec allowing me to finish in an all-time best of 5th position in class, behind race stalwarts Dave Bristow, Stuart Day, Justin Price and Keith Terry. Quite staggering really, I think I certainly surprised Chalky, Jon and the others who were watching via the live BSSO link. I was waiting for Darren Scott to come up to me like he had at the Blyton track day and asked to see who was riding my bike!!
The season for me has ended on a real high, I’d started 4th in the Group 4 Evo championship behind Jer Crew, with Paul Fitzgerald in 5th. With Fitz having a revitalised 2nd half of the season and Jer having some dreadful mechanical luck which on one occasion left his whole exhaust system coming off on the main start finish straight. The season changed on the Lydden Hill results, with Fitz finishing a well-deserved 3rd place and swopping places with Jer who finished in 6th. I’d definitely changed from a rider to a racer, everything about my riding changed over the Cadwell and Lydden meetings, which puts me in a good position for the 2022 season.
I really need to thank a few people, Paul White and Jon Gilbert for not only the mechanical expertise and unlimited advice they have provided the team with but also the financial sponsorship that Replay and JG scooters have given throughout the 2021 season. The time and effort that they have invested in me as a rookie racer can’t be quantified, the support, banter and micky taking has been a constant driver in me wanting to repay the trust they had in me. I guess a 56.1 lap at Lydden shows their time hasn’t been wasted in me.
Daniel Mears who 12 months ago had never worked on a BSSO race scooter, let alone manage the team for the weekend has now developed into a well-respected member of the BSSO paddock, who is always willing to help anyone if it means getting them back on track. The knowledge he has attained from Paul and Jon will I’m sure assist him as he now has the full responsibility of keeping the team on the track at meetings. Along with Harry Smith and Doug Edwards from Stamford Scooter Racing we have had some fantastic weekends away which has always created a great atmosphere. The boys at JG Scooters, Shaun, Rob, Snowy Paul and Craig who have always been willing to lend a hand and a view point regarding my racing. Also, Josh Morris and Stuart Gentry from SG Engineering who turned up during the pandemic offering support and assistance to Dan.
Finally a big thank you from all involved in this season’s racing to the BSSO committee for the planning organising running of the seasons events.
Words: Phil Hallam #50
Photos: Lee Hollick Photography (click to see more images and buy your favourites)
End of term report
Thanks to Phil Hallam for giving us an insight into his 2021 BSSO ‘Rookie’ season. With determination, the right people around him and a willingness to listen and learn Phil has certainly come on as a racer over the last couple of years. I’m sure he won’t mind me saying, he wasn’t a naturally fast rider when he started to make the transition from road to track. He did all the right things though, before starting in BSSO he spent a year progressing through the Ron Haslam Race School. He’s learnt all the tracks, taken advice, followed the tips and knowledge freely given by others and the lines of more experienced racers.
It seems like all the hard work is paying off and Phil is in amongst the pack now, he’s racing and enjoying every minute of it. Keep up the good work!
Iggy
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