By Susie Grayson
July 26 2005

What an awesome track the Brands Hatch GP circuit is! The fast, flowing track saw the Feisty girls having to learn from scratch all but a couple of corners, having raced at Brands Indy earlier in the year. The MCN Track Guide was well thumbed with such a long circuit to get to grips with.

Rounds 13 & 14: Brands Hatch GP 16th-17th July 2005

The immense heat of the weekend was eased with Susie’s very popular huge, blow-up paddling pool (pictured with Alan Russell of A&R in it).

Susie had a cracking weekend of races; though struggling a little getting into the flow in the morning qualifiers, she found her form for the afternoon races yet again achieving her best results so far - two ninth places in the qualifiers and 13th and 15th in the finals, placing her second overall in the rookie championship. Susie took a dive in the Clubman Shootout race on day one with a too-brave overtaking manoeuvre, coming a cropper on some bumps off-line. David was rebuilding the bike til the early hours of Sunday; thankfully a sidecar team had a Mig welder to repair the subframe.

Deb found frustration after achieving her best time around Brands GP - a fantastic 1min 41s on the RC35 400cc machine. Having fought well on the Saturday, bike problems pulled her down the results on Sunday morning and gave her a large field to fight past in the last SS400 race. The Clubman Shootout saw better results with good fights happening for two eighth places.

Leila is improving her racing skills immensely and the weekend was full of grins and shouts of “I got him”, combined with the thoroughly exhausted racer returning back look, showing how she’s turned into a fully fledged racer and earned the removal of her rookie bib.

Tazzie struggled with engine and bike problems all weekend; she had to go out the night before practice day to pick up another bike. Her results reflect her battle, but she was over the moon to deduct five seconds from her previous best lap time around Brands GP.

Sarah enjoyed the weekend as always, though trepidation does set in when she emerges from the tent to race. She again improved smoothness and lap times.

The girls would like to extend special thanks to the following helpers:

Trix, as always helping out at all meetings this year. She’s a great bonus to the team and parties like there’s no tomorrow too.

David Pettit, more usually spannering for Sean Baker who is competing in the British Superstock championship, joined to help Susie with her bike. He ended up with a rebuild on his hands after Susie took a spill at Sheene Curve, and he was never spotted over the weekend without either a spanner or a rag in hand. He also sported a permanent grin; top chap who’s be joining us at the last couple of meetings.

Tammy, gathered into the team from the recent CMC Ladies Day, showed herself to be a quick learner with oodles of energy and the patience to do the washing up and teas too. Combined with a wicked sense of humour and party attitude, she’s joining the team as another great asset.

The combination of David and Tammy’s bossing and molly coddling skills meant Susie was hardly allowed in the tent, and had her head firmly focussed on racing rather than bike fettling.

Paul, Leila’s boyfriend, was a godsend to her in a similar manner to David, with Leila free to relax and prepare for the next race.

Lee Cross and team plus Mike were often popping in to lend advice and a hand too, as they often do.

The team has certainly learnt how invaluable good helpers are; a huge thanks to all of you.

Terry Calcott for keeping up with the paintwork on all the crashed body work!