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From early "Merkel F1" Machine, through "Superstock" Contender,  to Manx Grand Prix Racer and Championship Winning Machine. What a Fabulous Two Years ! And It continues even now....

At Cadwell Park, 30/07/02 we ran both the 1986 VFR750FG Merkel machine and my Ohlins kitted 1999 Anniversary VFR800 with a race pipe to see if the lineage had followed through. Indeed it did, the new bike held it's head up very well despite being over-geared for Cadwell it matched the lap times and was more comfortable, refined and confidence inspiring than the 1986 race bike.

The old girl never missed a beat, it was just like old times, three laps to warm the tyres (I gave my genny & warmers the day off) and I let her have everything I had. She didn't disappoint and we flew around every "Billy" on bikes ranging from GSXR's to Dukes. It really didn't matter, straight on the pace and in the groove. I was passed by no one except Nick Christian, my old racing buddy who had dragged his sorry butt out of retirement (similarly) and bought a road based but track prepped R1 to compute and have fun on. He was flying and chased me around several laps. When we finally came in for a breather he shook my hand. "I've always been scared of the Gooseneck" he says "but your line through there is amazing, beautiful. I tried it a couple of laps later and it opened my eyes. Thanks mate ". I was flabbergasted, Nick always seemed the consummate professional on track and to find out now that he had a chink in his armour was quit a shock. To know that I fixed it was very pleasing. He was keen to try my old VFR750FG after seeing it on track for many a race during '98 & '99, but as a taster I suggested he take it up and down the paddock. He burbled off and blasted up the paddock entrance road. He came back shaking his head. "I don't know how you ride that so fast, I certainly don't want to take that on track, WHAT A TANK!" And that was that, none of my other friends would touch the old girl with a barge pole after that so I had her all to myself. Fine by me.

Then came time to give the new kid on the block a bit of a blast. I've been trying to get it into the "Proddy TT" for a couple of years but always wondered if the side mounted radiators would cope with a thrashing on a hot day, a short circuit should be even worse. On the road it hovers around 82'C but despite many a hot lap it never flickered above 86'C which was amazing. The Ohlins rear shock ironed out any handling gremlins and it floated around Cadwell like a rocket powered sofa ! It was amazing. Even the standard Honda brake pads did a marvellous job and refused to burn or boil regardless of the fact that I was matching my previous best lap times around the full mountain circuit ! I never saw over 135mph on the main straight so never got it hooked into top gear. I could have dropped the gearing but it was coping nicely using just 5 of the 6 gears so why bother ?  There were a rake of machines far more suitable for the track, RSV 1000's, 916's (and their endless variations), CBR's GSXR's etc. etc. but nothing got the better of me and my VFR's. Anyone that found their way past was hounded down and shown a thing or two. I even used the horn on the VFR800 to barge under a race prepped ZX7R at Mansfield which saw him react badly and shoot off up the escape road much to Nicks amusement behind me! Nowhere did it feel under powered or under braked. The linked brakes stood up excellently and in reality I never even knew they were there ! The tyres bear a lovely "roll up" and prove the suspension was working beautifully The forks refused to bottom out even though I haven't upgraded to the Ohlins springs yet. I did two full sessions on each bike before bailing out as a storm front moved in to prematurely finish the day for everyone, I'd had enough by then anyway. Time to load up the trailer and trundle home before the rush hour traffic brought Lincoln to a snarling halt or worse, I took my life in my hands to brave the pouring rain and risked throwing my machines up the tarmac in search of a couple of damp tenths around a rain soaked Cadwell Mountain circuit !

Oulton Park next time, and I can't wait. Might even be persuaded to get my ACU license renewed for a one off ride at Mallory for the Craig Mason in October.
The only question is, Which Bike should I ride????... watch this space !