Ok guys. Just wanted to throw a few things about here.
Firstly a huge thanks to everyone who has helped out and contributed to the race funds. The amount of people who have stepped up to the table has blown me away. Even guys with low post numbers who I never thought would read this stuff. You all helped me get out there and get the bike working how I want. So I mean it what I say I'm extremely grateful.
The bare bones of it all is..........
I have 1 more race meeting this season. I have to be honest, I don't know what the future holds regarding backing from Echo and Bic for 2013. We are discussing it but it is a big ball of unknown.
The reason I'm posting this is to get the info out there and get people talking and thinking. Maybe there is someone you know with a company who has a keen interest in racing and would like to help.
For 2013 I will carry on my sponsorship deals with Jim Allan Motorcycles in Falkirk who will supply me discounted Metzeler tyres, oils, consumables that kind of thing. And Boogies Bike Paints will continue to do my paint and body work prep.
My problem is I desperately need backing. It costs £700 to do a full race weekend. A full season with no crashes or breakdowns will cost £6300. That will get the to the meetings, on the grid, and cover a set of tyres. That is the basics I need to compete.
The season will cost more than that when you add in all the sundries. Echo put in a substantial amount, but I've also had to use all my savings to get to where we are today. As it stands, to get the bike to the point we're at now I've pumped 10grand into in it all in inc Echo funding. Smalle things add up, brakes, clutches, replacement parts, spare parts, the bike is a constantly evolving fragile little creature. There's always something needing done after each race meeting. A fair whack of that funding has went to getting good foundations laid like a proper heavy duty gazeebox getting my van kitted out so I can live in it for 4 days, upgrading the bike spec to get it working right.
I'm a qualified master tech for Alfa Romeo and diagnostic tech for Volkswagen. I now work for the AA as a patrol. Seeing as this is my chance to put it all out there, my base salary is low and made up with shift allowances and bonuses. As a result it makes my overtime rate low as that is based on the bare salary. To be in with a chance of getting the bike out there in 2013 I will have to go back to working 70-80hours overtime a month which means only having 2 day off. On the race months I'll have 4 days off and those will be the days I will be racing. It just not healthy man, and to try and maintain a normal life and relationship with my fiancee it will be a massive amount of stress and a pretty unhealthy environment.
As for me and what I can offer...
It may seem like a pour my inside out on here but to be straight I don't post half of it. I've dieted and trained my ass off to drop from 88kg(194lbs) to 75kg (165lbs). I train 5 days a week. I spend the 3 weeks inbetween races with the bike in bits shaving, filing, drilling, adjusting, doing everything I can to get every ounce of performance out it. I work 11 hour shifts, get home and go to the gym, see my dog and girl for an hour or so, then when she goes to bed I go out to the shed and work on the bike till the early hours.
There are a lot of high level racers in the Thundersport paddock, and I may be delusional, but I feel I'm up there if not better than the best of them in bike and mental/physical prep.
The reason I get these results on an old underpowered bike is down to giving it absolutely everything. To come onboard you can be sure that there's no need to push and worry if your getting the most bang for buck.
Lets take this next round at Cadwell. I hate the place and have only done 1 full day there. But I've got to race there against the GSXRs ridden by vastly experienced riders with national championships under their belt.
So I've had he bike revalved again to get it bang on to match my weird chassis geometry I like to run. I've hired an ex CSS coach to work on my weaknesses. I've did a 12 hour round trip to do a trackday there to try different gearing and try different lines and reference points on track. I can't do anymore! I'm not just turning up and hoping for the best. I'm giving it all I got.
With the results and lap times I've been running. Every round so far I've been 2-3 sec off the lap record........on a 7 year old underpowered bike. So I've got myself a stack of debt and bough Carbon wheels to close those few seconds. Now there are no excuses. There is no reason the bike can't hit lap record times. It's all down to me.
What I can offer anyone who provides major backing is.....
Advertising space on the bike.
Pit and paddock passes to the races
I'm active of Facebook and Twitter and am in contact with KTM Uk who are interested in the bike and results.
I can provide write ups for websites.
Photos.
Your company name will be on Motors Tv and written in all the race reports and programs.
I can come to trackdays and offer set up advice and some riding pointers.
The list goes on......
I'm sure Bic and Echo won't mind me doing this. I'm am really grateful for all the help they provided this season.
But ultimately this is about one man and his underdog motorbike getting out there and winning the 2013 Thundersport gb Streetfighter championship. I have zero interest in just running round in 4th or 5th. I want one thing and that is to win.
I am enjoying the Echo package and seriously hope it continues as I don't feel we have got the most out it it. But I understand business is business.
There is a long winter off season and I hope some members can spread the word and maybe plant a seed in someones mind.