Greenwich Millennium Moto X

Sunday 15th July 2001

Sidecar Monkeys Report / Photos

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On a weekend when we were due for loads of rain, we ended up with a cracking weekend on the track and plenty of sunshine. The only downside was the truck played up again, playing Skippy the kangaroo around the M25. Basecamp was pitched and The Monkeys and Dez Walked the track while Mrs Monkey fired up the Barbie. The Track was in perfect condition looking forward to Jamie's first time at the heights. Sunday revealed a full line up of 30 chiars including a dozen top thirty outfits.

Base Camp

Start Gate

As the day progressed the track started to cut up as normal, providing very deep ruts and high bermed sandy corners. We gated 19th settling into a steady pace. We broke into the top 15 when dropping into a tight right-hander, we stalled trying to pass an already marooned outfit, Loosing us 6 places. We re-joined the race only to turn over on the very same corner the next lap trying to negotiate a different line. We finished the first race just outside the points.

Slight technical hitch I assume, at the hair pin before Madden's Hole

A shot from the veranda of the jump on the Leask's leap run up

Landing of the steps table top

Race two was a lot more satisfying as we discussed our mistakes and settled into a good early pace. Attacking the track a lot more, from an average gate position we started to move through the field. The track conditions ever deteriorating, but we both agreed we loved the track (dad having won races here before) our speed increased as the race progressed, coming through to take twelfth at the flag. On inspection of the bike after race two we were relieved to have finished in one piece as the rear spindle nut had sheared, leaving us to think what might have been.

A mising Nut

The washboard hill, jump 1

Airborne over the steps table top

Race three proved to be Jamie's best race in his short career to date. We finally got a better gate, circulating first lap in eleventh. Admitting afterwards Dad said "You really kept me on my toes, that was the most enjoyable race I have had for a long time". We pushed hard really enjoying the rough sandy going especially after our weekend in Belgium. We crossed the line in an immensely pleasing 7th Place. In a quality field on the countries Premiere motocross track, We had a superb days racing, and a "Well done lad keep it up, you were going well" from British Champion Chris Etheridge put an even bigger smile on Jamie's face. We packed up and set off on the long journey home hoping the car wouldn't play up and we could get out of second gear on the M25.

The Ski Jump

The paddock bend

Base Camp

The jump before Leask's Leap