Jet taxis onto the boards

On the back of a very successful 'come try track day', a number of riders had the appetites whetted. Jet had wanted to attend but a little thing called work intervened. Unperturbed, he decided that not only was he going to try track, he was going to back his commitment with a new track bike. What's more, it wasn't a colnogo!



Getting ready to roll. “OMG! Those legs are whiter than mine”


Under the tutoridge of our own track guru, lee-ping, pre-ride instructions were issued as the bike was set up for the session. A nod and word of encouragement were all that was required to launch Jet onto the track on the wheel of Leon with the words ringing in his ears “hold that wheel”.


Follow my wheel.

After following Leon up and down the banking for a while, I have to admit, the Jetski was looking like a bit of a natural. Maybe the species ‘fatus sprintus’ had found an alternative habitat? Enough of this nice stuff. It was time to test his mettle.



Yeah, I know what I’m doing. No, really! I’m testing my knick’s ability to retain faecal matter. I’m doing my bit for science.


The numbers have been a bit down on Thursday nights so rather than run the usual races, the club conducts warm up pacelines and then divides the riders into two grades that each run two 40 lap motor pace races. For those who haven’t seen it, a small specialist motorcycle called a derny rides in front of the paceline. Everyone must stay behind the derny doing rolling turns lasting a lap. The derny gradually increases it’s speed until many riders are struggling to hold the wheel in front of them. Two laps before the end, the derny pulls off the track and the sprint to the finish begins.



The paceline chasing the derny.

Mark did a brilliant job in his first hit out. Leon was suitably pleased with his protege except for one moment on the back straight when Jet missed a change of pace and got a little too close to his mentor for either of their comfort.


The pace was on and the field was beginning to get strung out. Brunswick coach looks on.

A bit of feedback and some tips from another club member pointed Mark in the right direction and hopefully, at the right speed.

I went like this and you went a bit like that............


OK, so now that we have that sorted, let’s try it again. Once more with feeling. The group rolled out for the second race. Jet looked way too comfortable; as if he had been doing it for years. Clearly great coaching from Leon ☺ although he had his own plans for how this one was going to unfold.


Leon is perfectly placed going into the bell lap.




There’s nothing for it but to lead out from the bell lap and hope to keep them at bay.




He almost pulled it off but was run down at the line. Great work Leaping!

Two motor pace events down and the grin on Mark’s face was priceless. I think he had a great time.

Whilst all of this was happening, Leon’s father Jack, 90 years young, had been watching from his customary seat in the stands. He has a keen eye and will provide a valuable tip or word of encouragement at just the right time. No trip to DISC would be complete without a glass of Guinness to complete the evening. Brilliant!

If you’re interested in having a look, drop Leon a line and add a whole new dimension to your riding. It’s addictive.