UAE Sportbike brings a podium for Alan Boyter Yas Motorcycle racing team in the 600cc class Nov 5th 2010
Dubai Nov 12th– After three rounds of the National UAE Sportbike Championship, Yas Motorcycle racing team, Alan Boyter now lies in third in class in the championship.
Boyter #76 – It was a rather quiet YAS motorcycle pit area over the weekend as we were a rider down. Mahmoud had to forgo the race due to his wife Deborah giving birth to their first born, baby Shamsa Chloe Tannir. There is only a handful of excuses for missing races but I dare say tending to a new member of the racing family is one of them! congrats to both Deborah and Moody!
The expectations of good results lay firmly on my shoulders and with a reduced number of bikes on the grid this weekend it was never going to come easy. I had tried different gearing during practice in a bid to try and get my lap times down but just couldn’t seem to hit a rhythm at all, all back to standard for the race in hope for the best.
Race 1. I got of the line ok and was actually second but was way too early on the brakes into turn 1 putting me back into 4th. Jason and Abdul had been lapping consistently faster than me all weekend and by lap 2 there was a distinct gap between them and me so I just settled into a pace and tried to learn where I was loosing out on the lap.
I knew that Adel was close behind me somewhere and I also knew that his R6 is a rocket on the straights but I figured I was quick enough to stay ahead which was a stupid presumption as he passed me! Abdul had retired a couple of laps previously so this was now a battle for a podium spot! It was the kick up the backside I had needed all weekend and I passed Adel back to regain 3rd and suddenly found the times I had been chasing all weekend. I had qualified on 1:53.661 but had dropped down to 1:50.482 on the last lap of the race, over 3 seconds! now we’re talking! The magic’s back and a podium position. nice!
Race 2. I now knew that my times still weren’t quite fast enough to keep with Jason and Abdul but I was confidant that if I was with them I could stick with them. Another great start and I managed to keep the 2nd position going into turn 1, then turn 2 and 3 and onto the straight! ‘good stuff, just keep things smooth and go as fast as you can’. I was constantly talking to myself, keeping myself steady and consistent. With the first lap over I was still in 2nd but I knew that there was 2 bikes all over the back of me looking for an opportunity. It was literally a drag race down the back straight with Abdul slightly out braking himself I was hunting for the tight inside line and also inside Jason. Abdul had squared of the corner and I presume Jason had his attention fully on him as the inside gap between Jason and myself and the kerb vanished, I tagged Jason and hit the tarmac. NO!
I picked myself up and got out of harms way until the pack had passed then went back to get my bike. It didn’t look all that bad and after I had bent the brake lever back I realised I could finish and pick up the points. It was a rather subdued race after that, concentrating on grabbing my bent brake lever firmly, keeping out of everyone’s way and ensuring my foot wasn’t slipping of the very bent peg.
Race over and 9 points in the bag. not the best result but that’s racing, We’ll be back to 2 bike strength for the next race on 26th of November
Be sure to watch both races from our on-board camera on our Facebook page. Vendetta Racing UAE – YAS Motorcycle Racing.
