Richard Britton Racing
News 2005 01st May 2005
Cookstown 100 Post Race Interviews!
Pic - Alan ArmstrongRace 6 – Coleraine Landscaping Services 600cc Race A
Well then Richard – your season opener and a great start – led for a couple of laps from the flag. Were you aware of how close Ryan was behind you going down the straight into the first corner?
Well I knew someone was behind me – didn’t know who and when we approached Gortin Corner, Ryan came alongside me at roughly the braking point. He distracted me a wee bit and I ended up missing the brakes by about 3 or 4 yards, this took me wide and we lost a couple of places but we fought back and had a good race and a good third so was happy enough with that.
The gap was actually 8 seconds and a few riders in front of you - did you reckon that was it – you weren’t going to get back with the front men?
Well after that I knew I wasn’t going catch Bruce and I didn’t know at that point Adrian was in front of me but he got a puncture or something after that so I thought we’re goin’ to have to get the head down and see the best we could do and the best was third. I caught Darran then I caught I think it was Guy I’m not sure…
It was actually Ray Porter then Darran you caught and passed
Yeah it went all right, plus it was last year’s bike I was on – not the new one, it’s not ready yet so…there’s more power yet!
Well that’s the first one out the way – a great third – are you happy with the preparation so far regarding the team, the bikes and the plans for the season?
Well I think we’ve struggled a bit for time in terms of testing the big bike ‘n stuff and although the new 600 is similar characteristically as the old one – suspension and frame wise – I prefer to ride the new one but I think everything’s goin’ ok it’s early days y’know
Ok Richard…not much more to be said on the first race other than it was a great third considering the time you lost and the fight back
Yeah yeah…for makin’ a boo boo it was a good third at the end of the day…so…happy enough.
Race 8 – Coleraine Landscaping Services Open Race A
Well Richard, the weather played a part in which bike you decided to ride in this race… any particular reason why you chose the 600 when the big bike had the wet tyres on?
No we had only intermediates on the big bike and it was gonna take too long to change them so we took the safe bet and went for the 600 cos she had the wets so that’s why we went 600 wise….we knew we was goin’ to struggle so ….we ended up second in that one so it wasn’t bad to be third in the 600 and second in the big race. I thought we’ll take the big bike out in the last race and see what she feels like in the wet so.
So a third and a second in your first two outings… were you expecting any more?
No not really… you know me, I don’t expect anything… a finish does me (laughs) No I’m happy enough with the results so far like…y’know the first race was my mistake and the second race I was on a 600 mixing it with the thousands so…maybe the last race…dunno.
Ok thanks Richard… I’ll let you get off to prepare for the last one... Good luck!
Race 10 – Royal Hotel Senior Cookstown 100 ‘A’
Richard – the first outing on the big bike – take me through it from the word go.
Well – got goin’… got the head down and put in some decent laps…and passed Ryan on the second lap I think…got him on the brakes at the bottom and....led from there. (big grin) I knew he was gonna pass me and who would have thought that on the last lap…he passed me at the place I knew he was goin’ to!!!
Where was that?
Just after Macadoo…just gave him (wincing) a wee bit too much…I just thought …I knew I had given him a wee bit but was too late to do anything about it…ahhhh... he was there...fair play to him. It was a good race tho’ - I enjoyed it so...the big bike out for the first time and it was behavin’ ok so… tyres goin’ great…everythin’ workin’ alright… so…just down to a bit of track management sort of thing (more laughs)…I messed up but … not so bad.
I noticed none of the big bikes made anything on you on the straight so the bike certainly has the legs
Well I wasn’t behind any of them to know what the craic was in that department (laughs) but she’s quick…
Did the back markers play any part in Ryans’ pass on you in the last lap?
No there were no back markers involved at all. I got by a few myself and at points on the track where they would have been a hold up for Ryan but then I caught other ones up in the wrong places and caused me to slow down so… at the end of the day everything went ok so…
Well in summary – a third and two seconds and basically – two races you could have won?
Aye basically…all down to me...I messed up (hysterical laughing from the team) ahh what the hell…y’know…everythin’s all in one piece…and I think Tandragee will suit the big bike better than here… it’s a bit tight here y’know…should be better at Tandragee – a bit more open!
Well after a reasonably successful first outing for 2005, have you a message for the fans for the Tandragee?
Aye just to thank them all for clickin’ on the website and leaving the messages. I manage to read them all and really do appreciate all the support. The supporters club, they’re all doin’ a good job. My sponsors and my team…everythin’s goin really well and just hope it goes on for the rest of the year.
Well done today Richard – Good man!
Richard Britton was talking to John Hope.
