Wow what a weekend that was!.The Bemsee/MRO race weekend on the beautiful Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit is always one which is looked forward to by many racers in the Uk. Normally most of us would normally only dream about riding this fast and technical circuit let alone be able to actually race upon it. Trackdays here are expensive and normally only the World Superbike and British Superbike riders only get a chance to race here. But the BMCRC racing club have been booking this circuit now for over ten seasons now giving club and national racers a chance to experience the highs and lows of racing one of the Uk's best race circuits.Normally I would be riding my Suzuki SV in the Uk Thunderbikes championship but as luck would have it our class was once again missed from the list of classes to race at this round. I did originally enter into the Open 1300 class just to race the circuit but this was cancelled due to a lack of entries meaning the only opportunity would be to start from the back of the Forza Extreme grid. Ok I thought about that one for a little while. I knew I wouldnt be last and could possibly hustle the 84bhp SV round quick enough to even gain a midfield finish, but lacking 100bhp to some of the bikes it wouldnt be that much fun being blasted down the straights only to be stopped from carrying the awesome corner speed my bike loves so much.So thats how the ride on a Triumph 675 came about. The Triumph Triple Challenge has been running now for 4 rounds in the Uk. Started by ex European Superbike School boss Tony Scott the series is aimed at young up and comming riders and older experienced racers. Everyone competes on the same specification bike, uses control tyres, brake pads, exhausts and suspension. So far due to everyone being on very much the same bike the series has produced some very quick and close racing. Ollie Linsdell, 2007 NW200 winner takes part in this series alongside many other class champions. These guys are no slow coaches!.I had no real high expectations of this weekend as not having sat on the bike until Friday morning testing it wasnt going to be that easy just to jump on and be up the front. Also it not being my bike meant that perfect suspension settings for this weekend would be hard to acheive with me being a fair few stone lighter than its usual rider!. Also being used to slicks, slipper clutches and quickshifters meant I had some fair work to do.Friday testing went well. We had sunny dry sessions and then sessions run in torrential downpours. At one stage I couldnt even see the tarmac on track it was raining that hard. I did enjoy it though..quite weird!. We managed to get a decent enough setting for the suspension and tyres - which run very low pressures. Down to technical inspection later in the day..all passed and ready to go.Qualifying Saturday was over two sessions. I knew I had to push hard in the first session as the second one could easily be wet. This is what ended up happening so I had made the right choice. Still not 100% with the bike I was pleased to qualify 7th in class and 17th overall. We then had a short 5 lap superpole race during the afternoon. I wanted to use this as extra tracktime and not having started the bike before I was a little on the cautious side launching it as I had heard rumours they liked to wheelie when provoked. It wouldnt have been a good start to the weekend to flip it on the grid!. Sundays races were over 8 and 6 laps. I was really very excited about getting out there on the bike and seeing if I could hold on to a few of the guys out there and learn a thing or two more about the bike. Both races started well, playing captain sensible on the opening laps I settled to a good rythmn in both races and bettered my qualifying lap times by over 2.5 seconds. Its amazing how much you get pulled along by others when racing. One thing that struck me was how easy to turn the bike was. Even though its heavier than my normal bike it actually rides alot lighter. It sits quite tall and is a little twitchy on the straights but once settled into a turn its weight distribution makes it feel very agile and light. The suspension was still way too hard for me, being kicked out of the seat and not being able to open the gas properly out the back of the circuit. I was also using alot of fork travel under braking making it feel very front end heavy on initial turn in. I normally can carry alot of brake into the apex but this wanted to make the bike run a little wide. Nothing though some different settings and springs wouldnt cure. Although not possible for this weekend. The bike has a good strong spread of power though, although it does go a little flat at the top end unlike a screaming banshee 600!. With 105bhp on tap its not the quickest of bikes in its class but its fun to ride and the chassis and seating position is almost spot on. Being normally Suzuki biased I would say this is a top bike!. Would like to have a proper few more rides on the bike with suspension set for me to see what it could really do once i was used to riding it.I also had a scarey moment whilst out braking Richie Welsh out off the back straight. Totally fixated on trying to pass him I totally forgot to brake at Hawthorns..!!. Its one of the quickest corners on the track which luckily is cambered in favour of the rider, so a quick dab, down a gear got me out of big trouble. I must say its the quickest I have ever been into that corner, but I got past and now know next time..not so much brake!. He must have thought I was a total loon!.So a good weekend in all. Got some points, enjoyed the bike. Steve also had some very good finishes in the Powerbike races with a 6th on Sunday. A little tumble into the gravel at Druids in race two but nothing broken so all ok.This weekend has now reinforced my plans to run a Supersport 600 for next season. I have some testing in Spain lined up for the winter, also a bike. I just now need to concentrate on my Thunderbike championship positions, keep my current sponsors happy (Thanks John @ flashingmber.com for the graphics on the Triumph) and also try to attract some more!.Photo's to come..Take CareSarah xTaken off www.myspace.com/sarahjordanracing