With Rd2 of the MRO championship scheduled for the picturesque Cheshire circuit on the first bank holiday of 2003 (21/04/03), I had decided, with huge risks I have to say decided to attend Donington Park for the Saturday and Sunday (19-20/4/03). This was the Clubmans Festival and also a round of the ACU (Auto Cycle Union) Star championship.

The reason for going to Donington, I love the track, and this would hopefully allow us some time to improve the AVS/Bridgestone Yamaha. After a solid start at Rd1, we needed to improve the bike and quickly. With that in mind, we had gone back to roots and called upon the help of all my allies who have helped me over the years. Pre-Donington, some big decisions/changes had been made. Big enough to leave me expecting, a busy weekend of spannering on the bike. However, with brave decisions made, some crucial answers would hopefully be revealed!

Donington 19/04/03 Clubmans Festival

Brett and I made the trip up to Donington on the Saturday morning, once there we set up camp. Well, that was after spending half an hour looking for somewhere to park. I love Donington, but does that place need a bigger paddock! With all the usual tasks done, it was time to get ready for practice and the moment of truth. The weather although looking very overcast and on the odd occasion spitting, had remained rain free and would therefor allow us a dry track.

As soon as I fired the bike up for practice, I was convinced it sounded sharper than before. Once out on track, it was very apparent, that it was. It felt good! With only enough time to complete three or four laps, it wasn't long before I was 'plug chopping' it under the Dunlop bridge and coasting back through the pits to check it over. This would set the tone for the day, after every session out on track, it was cylinder heads off too keep an eye on it. Ohh for a four-stroke!!

Race Day 1

With the bike all ok, we were set for the first race of the weekend. It was to be a six-lap race, so I was pleased to have been given a front row start. After completing the warm-up lap (Club meetings never used to have them) I took up my position on the front row in position 4 (Towards the inside of the track). After a good start, it wasn't long before I was in the lead and in very difficult conditions (Very Windy) I did enough to win, but at the same time tried to look after the bike (I was still nervous) and not push too hard to risk crashing. By the finish I had crossed the line with a three-second gap to Mark Garside, and had set the fastest lap in the process.

Brett and I set about stripping the bike down once again after the race. Everything was looking ok, but we decided on a carburation change before race2. With the races only six laps in length, I had consulted with Neil at Bridgestone, and for the first time was running a soft compound rear slick. This was looking in excellent condition after six laps, showing suspension and tyres were working in harmony.

While we were finishing off getting the bike ready, fortunately Paul Street (TZ Competitor) made us aware that there was some prize money up for grabs in the second race, due to it being a round of the ACU Star Championship. He was also I might add, very quick to point out that I was buying the beers, should we win any money!

With my confidence in the bike and the set-up, I was out to win as much prize money as possible (After all this weekend was going to be an expensive one with three meetings). Grid positions were decided on the finishing order of the first race. So the front row read like this

Pole
Phil Desborough
Yamaha	Mark Garside
	Honda	Owen Cherrell
		Honda	Steve Kuenne
			Honda

When the lights changed to green, we raced into the first corner. If I remember rightly I arrived at 'Redgate' second. I'm not sure exactly who was out front but I think it may have been Steve Kuenne. After negotiating 'Craner Curves' and then the 'Old Hairpin'. The 'Craner Curves' were proving difficult in the still windy conditions, although for me not as much as 'McCleans'. From here you will have to bear with me, after all it was a long weekend. I made the move for the lead down the inside at 'McCleans' on the first lap I think, once out in front I had previously decided to spend a couple of laps at maximum attack in order to try and pull out a little gap and maybe break the opposition. With Brett on pit-wall with the pit-board, every lap there after I took a look at it to see if I was pulling out a lead. By lap four, Brett was showing me leading by 4 or 6 seconds (Can't quite remember). With that lead in my mind I took a look over my shoulder as I crossed the line to satisfy myself that I could knock the pace off a little. Once you are in a rhythm, it can be dangerous slowing the pace up, as it's easy to lose concentration, but I stayed focused and crossed the line very pleased to have won and had an 11-second lead with fastest lap again.

With the day's racing over, fortunately a dry day's racing on my favourite circuit, I thought it only fair that I did buy the beers down at 'Redgate Bar'. The most pleasing thing of the weekend so far, was that the bike was running much better than it had for a very long time. For sure the results were excellent and I was pleased to have won, but we had made progress with the bike, and this was most important.

Race Day 2

Upon awakening on Sunday morning, we were greeted by a sky that looked like it wouldn't deliver any rain. The wind had also dropped a little, although it was still pretty windy around the track and would for sure effect the bike around the track. With no scrutineering, which makes a very pleasant change at 07:30am, and no practice we opted to just check the bike over before readying it for the first race. Both races were for trophies, so there was no added pressure of money! The atmospheric conditions had stayed similar to those yesterday, which was good for our carburation.

Brett was to be joined on pit-wall by Rob who had made the trip up, while Rick was out around the track to watch and listen (and keep a close eye) on the bike. With our first race imminent, I left the van for the collecting area, unfortunately, the previous race to ours was red-flagged and left us with a long wait, and cold tyres. When we did get out on track and complete the warm-up lap, I pretty much felt that the tyres would be ok. For the second time this weekend I was beaten into the first corner from my front row position. After a couple of little moments on that opening lap, at both 'Redgate' and then the 'Craner Curves' I found myself down in third position. With lap two in progress, I opted to not panic, and see what the two in front had to offer.

If and when one of them started to make the break I would try and do something about it. With lap two completed, I felt it time to pull the trigger and make the move. I can't remember exactly where I made the passes, but I think it was 'McCleans' and then into the final chicane. Once in the lead I tried to pull out a gap, and discourage any last lap manoeuvres being put on me. This proved to do the trick and I managed to cross the line at the end of six laps, with a three-second win, over Owen Cherrell.

After that first race, I wasn't totally happy with the carburation and new I needed to make a change to improve it. It had been ok on Saturday, but was there to be improved on Sunday. Rick had a look over the running of the bike, and although we were very happy with the bike and opted to leave it alone for the rest of the weekend, it had set his mind going on where we go next.

Race2 and the last race at Donington before packing up everything and continuing on to Oulton Park, went a lot smoother. After a good start, that resulted in me leading into turn1 'Redgate', I was not headed in the six laps and crossed the line six-seconds in front of Steve Kuenne to complete the set of races at Donington. It was very important not to do anything silly in that last race as I didn't want to be repairing the bike into the night once set-up at Oulton. With four wins out of four, three 1st place trophies and some prize money, the weekend had gone amazingly well so far, and I hoped to carry that luck and confidence onwards. Brett, Pat and I were going straight on up to Oulton, where as Mum, Dad, Rob, Rick, Gareth etc were going home (With some returning on Monday)