News
“Consistent Christian Conquers Cold Cadwell Circuit”
23rd February 2012
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23rd February 2012
The Annual Race Night at our local Community Centre also saw many new faces and a Special Guest to make it a night to remember. Over 260 people helped Christian and the Team to produce the best Race Night so far. Jack’s Fish Bar served up 252 portions of Fish and Chips in 29 minutes, another record achieved, well done to Steve and the staff.
Special Guest and best friend Ben Wilson [National Super Sport Rider] shared the stage with “Bomber” to take sporting questions from the audience. Many questions were answered by both Riders to which many people learned things about the Sport and both individuals.
There was also a showing of a documentary “No Fear” film starring Christian “Bomber” Slater and Team giving all who attended a better insight to the Sport of National Motor Cycle Club Racing. Many thanks to Jonnie Slater and his two mates at Hatfield University for producing the DVD.
During the evening Tom Mayhew and his Team supported the event with his “Premier Race Nights” package to ensure the bets were placed in an orderly fashion, thanks Tom.
Many raffle prizes [over £500 worth] were won along with over £3000 in Tote and other Prize Money. Many thanks to all who sponsored the evening and donated raffle prices.
The Community Centre bar staff were all kept very busy throughout the evening and the takings would certainly have boosted the Community Centres funds.
At the end of the event C S Racing raised just over £1900 to assist Christian with his 2012 campaign.
On the 15th March the C S Racing Team travelled to Snetterton for the first race meeting of the year. Christian was looking to better his performance at this event in comparison to 2011. After some good dry test sessions on the Friday Christian was satisfied the Suzuki was ready to race. On the Saturday Christian produced the fourth fastest practice time of some 100 other solo riders.
In both races on the Saturday a 9th and 10th place were achieved. This was a good start, however the weather changed. Team manager [Dad] consulted a suspension specialist at track side to seek support for suspension set up. The advice came free but it did not suit Christian’s riding style and it certainly did not help performance on the track during wet conditions on the Sunday. In the very wet conditions Christian found the bike “skating” around on top of the water with insufficient grip at the back tyre. If it was an audition for Dancing on Ice Christian would now be with Torvil and Dean at Nottingham!!
Out of the three races, points were scored in two as Christian pulled in on one race due to the “dangerous” conditions. We came away with 20 points and were sitting 12th in the ACU Clubmans Championship, certainly a better start to the season than 2011.
After the Snetterton meeting Christian and Team Boss appraised the bike set up and made some changes in readiness for the Cadwell Park meeting on the 14th and 15th April.
On Friday 13th April, Christian had the Suzuki 1000 set as well as it has ever been in very wet and cold conditions. Confidence was very high and it was recognised around the race paddock that Christian was “on it”.
On the Saturday morning the weather was very cold and damp with the circuit drying every minute. It was difficult to decide what tyres to fit [slicks, cut slicks, intermediates or wets]. We fitted cut slicks to assist with grip as the Bridgestone R10 tyres warm up quicker in cold conditions. The decision paid off, Christian produced yet again another 4th fastest practice time in the solo classes.
There were two races for Christian on the Saturday. Starting initially 8th on the grid Christian’s determination soon placed him up with the top riders. Christian finished in 5th place only 1.78 seconds behind Neil Watson who was last years runner up in the ACU Clubmans Championship.
In the second race some very close encounters were made on track with Neil Watson and Andrew Cheetham. At the end of Park Straight on two laps the commentator made the spectators aware of the battle between Neil and Christian, elbows were touching at 140mph. Neil managed to win the battle but Christian found himself finishing in fourth place [at one stage was third] at the chequered flag.
During Saturday evening in the Club House many Officials and other riders were congratulating Christain on his performance.
On the Sunday, Christian was out at 09-00hrs for the first race of the day. At 07-00hrs there had been black ice on the track, that’s how cold the track was. Dancing on Ice was coming back for a second showing!
In fact the weather was so changeable it was very difficult to decide on tyre choice and suspension set-up. However over the three races during the day the right choice was made every time. The first race being on cut slicks and the last two races on wets. [It was very difficult to race for all riders].
Christian’s riding style suited the part dry and part wet circuit conditions. This has been helped by Christian’s ability to also ride motor cross bikes to assist with balance etc.
At the end of the Sunday’s race day Christain had produced another two fifth places and a fourth place to earn him some 59 points over the weekend. The performance raised Christian’s standing in the Championship from 12th to 7th. It was a great weekend for both Bomber and the Team, Christain had produced his best ever points scoring in one event since he started racing back in 2004.
Many thanks to Bridgestone and Kingsway Tyres for the tyre supply and all the supporters who attended the meeting, it made the event very worthwhile.
Our next meeting is at Donington Park near to East Midland Airport on the 26th and 27th May.
As we go to print, we can confirm that Christian’s application to attend the Scarborough Auto 66, “Cock o the North” event has been confirmed for the 21st and 22nd July. This will be Christian’s first ever Road Race event. He will be on circuit with some of the top Isle of Man TT Riders during the weekend.
Christian will be racing in two classes, the big 1000cc class, on the Suzuki GSXR1000 and the Super Twins class on a Suzuki SV650.
Sponsorship has already been promised for C S Racing in assisting with the 2012 season. Without such support Christian could not have progressed to the level reached so far.
A very big thank you to Kingsway Tyres [Bridgestone] for their continued support, to A16 Road & Race, Ben Wilson, Mum and Dad, girlfriend Sue, sister Zoe, Lucy, Commercial Painters, Lamberts Transport & Warehousing, and all who attended the Annual Race Night.
Should you require any additional information on Christian’s 2012 season please call or e-mail me on p.slater153@btinternet.com
Look forward to seeing you soon.
Paul Slater
C S Racing
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