there being 50,000 people on that start/finish straight and not a sound from any of them. Couldn't hear a single thing from that side. The medics were saying "don't move, don't move," so they were obviously concerned that I'd hurt my back. (I can understand

those G-forces are an evil thing to do to the human body, but it was a wonderful once-in-lifetime experience. There are 20-odd tons of metal in a Tornado, and it's a proper bit of kit. So thanks to Jez, John, Martin, Ash and all at 617 (the Dambusters

I went to see Simmo racing at Donington one year. He hadn't left a pass for me at the gate, so after I'd blagged my way in I made a beeline for his truck; an old Mercedes 608 thing, bikes in the back and living area in the front. I started

seen so many people there or so many things organised for them to see and do. True, you did have to queue to get to a bar or to get a table at any eatery and stuff did seam fairly dear, but the atmosphere was mint. I did the parade lap on Dave Jefferies

've had some free time has been getting an impromptu snowboarding holiday in the other week with the lads, which Andrea encouraged me to go on - that's the sort of thing I couldn't do last year, in case I got a collarbone or wrist injury outside racing

The collection of Whitham/Speedfreak machines has grown recently, and now includes some 600cc racebikes, ones that we can rent out to people who don't want to bash up their own roadbikes if they crash. A lot of people have been asking us to do that

. The next round was Cadwell and the 80cc race was just before the 125 race. This 80cc thing just seized immediately in the race, and caught me out. I didn't know it had seized so it just pinged me off. I played pinball with another couple of riders - and I

clobbering into this big stone gate post, one of them ones that weren't moving. I glanced the post and cartwheeled into the holding area. Everyone else was waiting around as idiot boy here comes flying into view, followed by four bits of Triumph. The thing

clever by renting a thing called an 'auger'. This machine has an engine driving a 12-inch diameter drill, and is operated by two men holding handles that extend out each side.What's supposed to happen, so the man said, is you rev up the motor and let

in the van was pissing himself. In fact the only people who weren't happy were me and Shoey. Still, looking on the bright side, until I barrel-rolled the thing I thought his set-up felt pretty good.