#6 & #79 Garf

Race Report – BEMSEE RND1 - Brands Hatch Indy March 2025

Proof even tough weekends have silver linings!!

Old PB: 53.3 New PB: 52.7
Results: Two DNFs and a second last 😅 (didn’t crash through)
Friday Test Day
The weekend got off to a tough start with wheel issues in the morning— new wheels off a newer model the ABS ring and brake discs didn’t fit costing me multiple test sessions (special thanks to Harry Gower for spotting the ABS rings!)On top of that, the bitter cold made it difficult to get heat into the tyres and the confidence to push on. Should really check these things before getting to the racetrack…
I experimented with a 190 treaded rear tyre to maintain tyre temperature and improve confidence under acceleration with a larger contact patch. However, it negatively affected corner entry and mid-corner feel, so it wasn’t the right move.
Unfortunately, track contamination caused the cancellation of two afternoon sessions, limiting testing even further.

Race Day – Saturday
Qualifying, the bike felt flighty, and I couldn’t improve beyond a 54.9 lap time, nearly two seconds off my previous best at Brands Indy. I switched back to a 180 slick and reset the rear shock to KTech base settings. My wife also turned up and told me to get my act together and send it which helped!!
Race 1 – 18 Laps
Started on that last row and just started working my way up to around 11th in class and settling into a rhythm. My lap times dropped into the 52s for several laps as the race went on and I felt I could find even more.
Then, coming out of Paddock Hill and winding on the throttle, the rear tyre started to come around. I rolled off, and the bike flipped onto the left side of the tyre—feet off the pegs—before righting itself. Deep breath, a warning for being too greedy on the throttle at lean, and I was back on it.
However, the same issue repeated coming out of Clearways, forcing me to pull in. A quick check in the paddock revealed no obvious mechanical issues, so it was likely rider error or the heat dropping out of the tyre. Despite the DNF, I managed to win the DART Motorsport Handicap Prize for improving my race time significantly after a poor qualifying session. Chuffed to bits with that and have a great idea of what to use it on 😉

Race Day – Sunday
Sunday morning, I was paranoid about the rear tyre. I noticed it was losing 1-2 psi, despite being on a Diamond warmer with tyre blankets in the garage. Warm-up laps didn’t settle my nerves—the bike still felt off, and my confidence was gone.
To reset, I switched to a treaded 180 rear, and immediately, the grip returned. The front even felt like it was being pushed at times. Despite the improvement in feel, I was stuck in the 54s, unable to find the rhythm I had the previous day and everyone one else had kicked on. Still, my only goal was to finish a race and leave Brands Hatch with something positive.

Next Up – Oulton Park
With Brands Hatch behind me, it’s time to focus on Oulton Park, arguably the best track in the country. Lessons learned, setup refined—time to push forward.

March 2025 - Spanish Pre Season Testing 

The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain... circuit

Spanish testing at the brand new Seville circuit didn’t go to plan!  Much like the rest of Spain getting unseasonable weather (climate change?) Seville was plagued with thunderstorms. 

Luckily I managed to nab one of the four pairs of wets Track Dudes had on their lorry meaning I got three wet sessions in to really learn the track and get used to some of the changes to the bike over winter (new shock, new slipper clutch, different pads all expertly fitted by SITRAMOTO) as well as see how the Metzeler / Pirelli wets that I’m required to run at No Limits compared to the tried and very trusted Bridgestone W01s. 

Pleased to report that Seville has unbelievable levels of wet grip and the Metz/ Pirelli were more than capable, not quite as soft and grippy as the W01s but also less like I to rip themselves to pieces as the first sight of a dry line. I had the excellent Rob Hoyles review some Insta360 footage and he was able to take massive chunks off my lap time.
On the last day we managed to get three dry sessions in the morning before the thunderstorms rolled in. Good progress and really enjoyed being out there with some of the UK’s top talent. Dropped onto 1:59 / 2:00 pace and with a few more sessions I think I could’ve knocked that down a good bit further.

Not a great trip away and not many laps for the money, but salvaged something heading to Brands Indy for round one with Bemsee.