Don't ever setup on the slope at Brands. That's probably the best lesson I learned last weekend.

The rest of what I've written below is merely inconsequential personal thoughts. Or drivel, as it's known in the trade.

Let's cut straight to the chase: I got taken out at the first corner in Race ...  Continue reading

The 2012 Ducati 848 Challenge got off to a dramatic start at Brands Hatch this weekend as the weather played a disruptive influence on the outcome of both races. Cold, rainy conditions prevailed on both Easter Sunday and Monday forcing the field of 33 riders to kick-off the season racing on ...  Continue reading

You can't beat a bit of carbon fibre to add some lightness to your bike. What's that you say? It adds weight? Surely not when it looks this good.

The Carbon King have supplied me with this swingarm protector and chain guard and also the sprocket cover ...  Continue reading

At the end of last season when Rick Hackett agreed to fettle my 848, I'm not sure he was prepared for the huge influx of riders to the championship in 2012. Up from around 20 to 35 - quite a few of them dumped their bike up at JHP ...  Continue reading

So last season I spent all but the last round racing on a buckled wheel. How didn't I spot it, you ask. Well, I should have done and when I asked other riders about the weave at high speed the usual reply was 'They all do that, sir'. So I just ...  Continue reading

What a difference a week makes. Rick and Nigel at JHP have been busy; new swingarm protector and sharkfin has been fitted, supplied by The Carbon King - I've not seen the bike - in the flesh - yet, so haven't inspected the carbon fibre but it looks great in ...  Continue reading

My real worry was that the gearbox had lunched itself after my highside. The rear wheel wasn't moving, even with the clutch in. The less costly option was that the selector fork arm had taken a knock as a result of the shaft hitting the deck. Turns out, on this occasion, ...  Continue reading

Nigel and Rick at JHP have been hard at work stripping back the 848. First off were the forks, which took a knock in my highside but fortunately aren't bent, but the right-hand fork seal is leaking so both are going to be stripped and rebuilt. Crucial but one of those ...  Continue reading

With just 42 days until the British Superbike season starts and the 2012 848 Challenge riders head to Brands for the first of eight rounds, I thought you'd like to see the lastminute.com preparations and hard graft going into my bike to get it ready for the season ahead.

Instead of ending ...  Continue reading