Our first endurance:

We shared a garage with Track Daze, who'd done World Endurance last year, and Phsyclo runners up last year. It was the tidiest we'd ever been, Bally just couldn't help himself and had to get stuck in when the Gixxer thou was having brake problems on the Friday - 'must stop sorting bikes out' came the mumble from another roll up!

Afternoon was wet, Dan decided a sleep would be best, we were honourably fed by Linda, chili, and on to sorting out ourselves when the scrutineers arrived - feck what have we done wrong? Nothing, they just come and do it in the garage, all very relaxed, I'm starting to see the brighter side of the British Championship lark! They managed to do my kit from about three feet away, but I did actually have to put my helmet on!! Bally was nervous about his gaffer taped boots, but we all got passed fine, the bike wasn't all together and didn't have any numbers at the time, but they checked everything rigidly and were very pleasant about it all, a few beers, sort out the crash box, the front end tool box, the rear end tool box and the tank box. Rags, change the new tyres onto the wheels and give the R6 a clean before she's settled down for the night.

Now the rain starts, mmm, wet for the morning then!

Overcast, but a very damp track, so we'll run wets for the practice and at least the first two timed practices. Dan manages a 2:41 in the wet, but no real flying lap as it's red flags and all sorts of problems etc

First qualifying is me - 2:18.9 and we're on a provisional 14th - the only drama is the front brake not being pumped, I thought I was going to hit the marshal be fore I'd even got out of the pit lane!!! No 1 lesson learnt!! Bally's out next - I suggest we stick the D208s on - he comes back and tells Dan the dry line is OK, but only about 4" wide 2:07.7 Dan goes out and runs 2:08 - most are now out on slicks / inters and we're back in 28th 1:51 is the pace!

So back into the pits to change tyres and then off for riders briefing - easy - not when you have the quality of mechanics known as Dodgy and Fish....

Rear wheel out, and back in by Bally and Dan, I'm changing a tyre and the little girls squeal starts - What's up Wallace - well he just broken the front LHS brake line.... So after a few dramas, bleed the brakes twice we're back up to speed - give all our final team briefing on signals from the bike to the pits and pits to the riders. Smell a little bit of petrol, but nothing too obvious - off for the Rider Brief. All done and sorted, Rider order confirmed, Bally, Me then Dan.

My first ever Le Mans start, bally has to run across the track, jump on the bike and start her up and off she goes, does his warm up lap, we notice petrol, feck it the breather pipe is leaking..... After lots of rushing around Dan's Girlfriend, Jo,  supplies the tissue that we jam in the pipe, and it lasts 6 hours!! Technology hey!! Nervous, I'm a shaking wreck, I look across to Bally, he's even worse - last minute panic doesn't help. Jeremy Hill comes to say hello, and gives yet more calming advice, and wishes us luck!

Bally gets a good solid start made up a place well two, but lost one to the ex-owner to the R6, who's riding as a guest this weekend.

First Pits stop comes around at the 56 min mark refuel the bike back up to 24 litres, quick check and off we go - if only it was that easy - Track Daze got almost all their excitement in one go, so we manage to throw about eight litres of fuel over Fish and the hot bike, Fire Marshall's run (the other way) and I'm full of adrenaline so jump on the bike.....Stupidity comes easily..... But either way I'm off! (needless to say our longest pit stop) First thing I notice is the bikes already upto speed, hot tyres etc Fun, fun, fun!! then 5 laps on out comes the Pace Car - does five laps then I do a 'flying start' - after the pace car loses its back end on the third corner after the racing debris has all been cleared - who says Subaru are quick? - I was worried about the engine overheating as we were going so slowly, I find it difficult to get back into my rhythm after the pace car.

Racing as fast as I can for an Hour is hard work, both mentally and physically, so I realise that if I ease off by about a second I can hold my times, be consistent and bring her home - so that what I settle for. then eventually I get 'L-3', L-2' and at last 'L-IN' happy, but knackered. No dramas, all goes well. Bike stops, I stall it and then jump off

The 3 Hour stop brings a top up of oil, bolt check and replace Dan with Bally, now down to 40secs - were doing will now running 23rd, 9th in class.

Then I realise that in 25mins I'm out again - I grab a paracetemol, and try to relax - I'm feeling really tired, but hey ho - I change with Dan, we manage this one in under 30 secs, full refuel chain wax and off again. Cool - we're going great guns. The adrenalin takes over and I'm back to my times again. Track Daze heads off onto the grass, them out - but the rider is up and walking!

As I come in I almost forget the stop box at the start of the pit lane, then come down to see a very tired Bally - I'm done, but realise I'll have to stay in my leathers whilst Dan's out so have to refuse my fist beer.

All going well - then Dan signals he want to come in - one more lap and he gets the message that we're ready for him in the pit - a knocking sound - loose steering damper and a flapping rear bit of fairing... No worries, he's off again to set our quickest lap and then is the very last bike over the line after 6 hours, 19 laps behind the winners, 20th overall and 7th in class, beat a good few with steady and consistent riding. Nearly 175 laps of Oulton Park!!! & Best of 1:54.

Time to clear up and settle down for a BBQ and beers, all safe and happy, if quite tired! Offer a creme egg to those who we shared a garage with and those who helped.

So Cheers, Bally, Dan, Linda, Jess, Jo, Roger, Fish, Dad, Neil, Alan, Doug, Jeremy and all who helped out over the weekend.

Mitch.