Ritchie 71http://ritchie71.com/feed.php2022-11-10T09:10:44+00:00LAST RACE, LASTING MEMORIES<p><img class="nb-align-center" src="http://ritchie71.com/content/public/upload/ritchiethorntonbrandshatch201_0_o.jpg" alt="undefined" width="90%" /></p>
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<p>When I look back it could have been a better season. Counting the cost of three DNFs – and the engine blowing up at Oulton – it was like missing 2 rounds: Taken out twice – once at Brands and again at Donington, and a crash at Cadwell trying to avoid hitting a slower rider when I had to start at the back of the grid… none of them my fault. So yes, it was a disappointing season. But I was looking forward to Brands Hatch because I’d finally got the bike to do what I wanted it to do. It was my last race in a full season’s championship and it turned out be a great meeting to end on…and I actually finished all 3 races!</p>
<p><br />The bike ran great in Friday’s practice although I had to give the first session a miss after a couple of laps. I’d gone out on slicks thinking it would be drying out, but it was deadly round Druids and Clearways so I thought I’d play it safe and pull in. After that, on a dry circuit, I made good progress and my times were getting into the 49’s and 48’s – the bike felt good after making a few suspension changes and I was ready and feeling confident for the weekend’s races and qualifying.<br /><br />Qualifying was a mixture of dry and damp patches. I think we all struggled with grip, me in particular because my traction control decided to play up again. It just stopped working. It’s done this before where the bike is fine all day and then suddenly I get nothing. The tarmac was cold too and my time was only 50 seconds. Still, it was enough to put me P4 on the second row with a bit of a fighting chance in the afternoon’s race. I checked the electronics and reset the traction control and prayed it would work for Race 1.<br /><br />It was a good race; the bike felt good and with the traction control working I could get going from the off. I was 4th on the first lap with my old adversary Peter Baker just in front of me. On lap 5, I made a bit of a mistake and Jack Croucher overtook me. I stuck close to him and got him back at Paddock Hill on lap 8. I focussed on Peter Baker for the rest of the race and put a decent gap between me and Jack. I was close to Peter at the end but couldn’t pass him. I took the flag in 4th place and with a faster lap of 48.62 it put me on the front row for Sunday’s Race 2.</p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #808080;"><em>A close battle with Jack Croucher that I won in the end…<br /></em></span></p>
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<p>Overnight rain dampened the track and it took a long time to dry. I had to put the Pirelli wets on to play safe. It was the right thing to do as most of those riders who gambled on a dry set up either crashed or came in. Only 7 of us actually finished the race. It was a difficult 15 laps in drying conditions, my rear tyre was pretty knackered by the end.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><br /><img src="http://ritchie71.com/content/public/upload/ritchiethorntonbrandshatch203_0_o.jpg" alt="undefined" width="90%" /><br /><br /><span style="color: #808080;"><em>Back on the front row again, but conditions were sketchy…</em></span></p>
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<p>Still, I managed to stay in close contention with Nicky Wilson and Frederico Lopez, who competes in the Clubman Class. He showed really good pace coming past me and finishing in second place. Nicky was 3rd closely followed by me in 4th.</p>
<p><br />So, it came down to the last race and I wanted to make it a good one as it was going to be my last race at Brands Hatch for a long time.<br /><br />I was back on the second row for this one, but took off well to slot in behind Josh Wainright for two laps I was right on his tail. Then the race was red-flagged! I thought, ‘Here we go again, just when things are going well, something happens to stop me”. The incident was Peter Baker who high-sided, knocking himself out at Clearways, right behind me. Thankfully, he was OK after being shipped off to hospital for a check-up.<br /><br />I looked at Dad on the pit wall when we all came around for the restart – I could read what he was thinking – same as me: “Got to do it all again!”. And I did. A good start had me looking down the exhaust of Josh’s Fireblade again. It was dead close for the first few laps and the ZX10-R felt great.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><br /><img src="http://ritchie71.com/content/public/upload/ritchiethorntonbrandshatch204_0_o.jpg" alt="undefined" width="90%" /><br /><br /><span style="color: #808080;"><em>Swooping into Surtees, I felt more confident than ever…</em></span></p>
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<p style="text-align: center;">I was strong on the brakes at Druids and Paddock and was much happier than I’ve ever been going through Surtees and could keep close to him, but his Fireblade just hooks up and goes away at Clearways. He was pulling about a 10th of a second there throughout the race. <br /> <br /><br /><img src="http://ritchie71.com/content/public/upload/ritchiethorntonbrandshatch205_0_o.jpg" alt="undefined" width="90%" /><br /><br /><span style="color: #808080;"><em>Pushing on through Druids, I was really enjoying it…</em></span></p>
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<p>Anyhow, while I was concentrating on what was going on in front of me, my old pal Nicky Wilson was sneaking up behind. It was close at the end and I could hear his bike behind me as I outran him to the line. I was really chuffed with the result, it felt like a win to me after all the problems we’ve had… and, for once, we would all be going home happy for a change.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><img src="http://ritchie71.com/content/public/upload/ritchiethorntonbrandshatch206_0_o.jpg" alt="undefined" width="90%" /><br /><br /><span style="color: #808080;"><em>A nice end to the weekend and the season…</em></span></p>
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<p>But unfortunately, the increasing costs of racing a full season has finally caught up with me. Right now I just can’t afford to commit to racing a full season. Things are not getting easier with the cost of fuel, tyres and spares. All this, along the increasing costs of circuits which our club Bemsee has no control over, has made it very difficult for me to race in the premiere 1000cc class. Good riders who have that extra cash to spend will definitely have the edge and it’s become impossible for me to afford that high level of spend and commitment to stay at the sharp end for a full season.</p>
<p><br />I may be back for a couple of rounds, we’ll see how it goes.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><img src="http://ritchie71.com/content/public/upload/ritchiethorntonbrandshatch207_0_o.jpg" alt="undefined" width="90%" /><br /><br /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #808080;"><em>Hanging ‘em up for now…</em></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p>My sponsors have been fantastic.<br /><br />Chris Dacowan of Loomies Shop and Café in Hampshire supplied me with custom-made, cool-looking Held Leathers. They have always looked the part and lasted well despite the crashes I’ve had. Dave Wheeler and his team at Wossner UK Performance Pistons supplied us with the high-performance piston kits to build two great engines. My season would have finished at Oulton Park if they hadn’t helped me with a new piston kit to build another powerful engine.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><img src="http://ritchie71.com/content/public/upload/ritchiethorntonbrandshatch208_0_o.jpg" alt="undefined" width="90%" /><br /><br /><em><span style="color: #808080;">My 2014 Gen 4 Yellow Ninja. Not bad looking for its age…</span></em></p>
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<p>Thanks also to R&G Racing for the crash protection. They’ve never failed, not only in a crash but in their support. Vance and Hines who provided another set of valves all the way from the USA, not to mention, OPIE Oils, Cradley Kawasaki, TBR Performance, Maxton Suspension and OCS Engineering. Everything you guys have done has really helped.<br /><br />Not forgetting all my friends and family, friends in the paddock and my followers and supporters… thank you.<br /><strong><span style="color: #000000;"><br />Ritchie</span> <span style="color: #ff0000;">71</span></strong></p>
<p><br />Loomies Café and Shop<br />Wossner Performance Pistons<br />Vance & Hines<br />R&G Racing<br />OPIE oils<br />Cradley Kawasaki<br />TBR Performance<br />Maxton Suspension<br />OCS Engineering</p>
<p>Action shots: <br />Chequered Flag Images.<br /><a href="https://www.chequeredflagimages.co.uk" target="_blank">www.chequeredflagimages.co.uk</a></p>
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<p> </p>http://ritchie71.com/index.php?controller=post&action=view&id_post=572022-11-10T09:10:44+00:00THUNDERSTRUCK!<p align="center"><img src="http://ritchie71.com/content/public/upload/ritchiethorntondonington20221_0_o.jpg" alt="undefined" width="90%" /> </p>
<p>Taken out twice over two rounds has taken away my chances of a decent place in the points this year. Combined with the engine failure at Oulton, when I missed every race – plus the crash at Cadwell – it’s like not turning up for two rounds.</p>
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<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>STRIKE ONE.</strong></span></p>
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<p align="center"><img src="http://ritchie71.com/content/public/upload/ritchiethorntondonington20222_0_o.jpg" alt="undefined" width="90%" /></p>
<p>First up is the Brands Hatch GP circuit. It’s the one everyone looks forward to. Only the Bemsee Club hold a meeting on the long track, so it’s not surprising that it attracts riders from other clubs to race there. Unfortunately for me, it was a rider from my old club Thundersport GB that affected my results over the weekend.</p>
<p>I was still running the stock engine as me and dad were still working with the Wossner-powered motor that we only just had ready for Donington Park. Even though I had a standard motor, I was in the 48’s early on with worn out tyres – I always get my money’s worth out of them – and by lunch time I was happy with the way the bike was handling. With new tyres on Saturday morning I knew I could go quicker. So, I took the ZX7-R out in the afternoon as I was planning to race it again in the Ultra class. It started up right away, all good. Out on the track there was some vibration through the bars which surprised me as the bike ran faultlessly at Oulton Park.</p>
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<p align="center"><img src="http://ritchie71.com/content/public/upload/ritchiethorntondonington20223_0_o.jpg" alt="undefined" width="90%" /></p>
<p align="center"><span style="color: #808080;"><em>Checking out the ZX7-R to find a mysterious handling problem…</em></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Something wasn’t right. All we had done was change a rear sprocket! So, me and dad checked the head stock the bearings, wheel alignment and the brakes to see if anything was catching and I took it out for the last session. It felt a bit better but it was still there. It had me scratching my head. Saturday morning and I was all set on the ZX10-R, and qualifying was a success with a 1:31.3 – a personal best – that put me P4 on the second row. I was feeling pretty confident with the bike handling so well and I was hoping for a good result in Race 1.</p>
<p> </p>
<p align="center"><img src="http://ritchie71.com/content/public/upload/ritchiethorntondonington20224_0_o.jpg" alt="undefined" width="90%" /></p>
<p align="center"><span style="color: #808080;"><em>After a good qualifying position, I could wait to get started…</em></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p>I got away well and stayed close to the front runners on the first couple of laps. The pace was fierce, but the ZX10-R felt great so I just let the bike go. I felt good everywhere. My lap times got better and better and I started to close in on Sam Osbourne. My pit board told me that Luke Dixon was only 0.5 behind and I had to concentrate to hold him off. Towards the end of the race I could see the gap between me and Sam Osborne becoming less and less. On the last lap, with the leaders still in sight, I went passed Sam at Paddock Hill. I was third! My chance of a podium at last after all the problems we’d had. I could taste it.</p>
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<p align="center"><img src="http://ritchie71.com/content/public/upload/ritchiethorntondonington20225_0_o.jpg" alt="undefined" width="90%" /></p>
<p align="center"><span style="color: #808080;"><em>The XZ10-R felt good. It was spot on everywhere…</em></span></p>
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<p>It was beginning to feel like a victory until I got to Stirlings and Sam had a go up the inside of me. He lost the front trying and hit my back wheel sending me off into the gravel. I tried to save it but the tyre wall was coming up too fast and I had to lay the bike down. Me and the bike both hit the tyre wall hard. Luckily, I was relatively unscathed and the bike wasn’t too bad either.</p>
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<p align="center"><img src="http://ritchie71.com/content/public/upload/ritchiethorntondonington20226_0_o.jpg" alt="undefined" width="90%" /></p>
<p align="center"><span style="color: #808080;"><em>A few scuffs – the R&G Crash protectors did their job well…</em></span></p>
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<p>Sam’s bike was a right mess and I think he had to go home later. He came to apologise after, which is fair enough. He did look genuinely sorry. He just completely misjudged me on the brakes. The last lap would have been the first time he had followed me so I guess he wouldn’t have known how late I could leave it at Stirlings. So that was the end of that.</p>
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<p align="center"><img src="http://ritchie71.com/content/public/upload/ritchiethorntondonington20227_0_o.jpg" alt="undefined" width="90%" /></p>
<p align="center"><span style="color: #808080;"><em>A bit of after-crash help and encouragement from Peter Baker…</em></span></p>
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<p>I had entered for the Ultra races on the ZX7-R too and it was just one race in between, so I dusted myself down, drank a load of water and before I knew it, I was back on the grid again.</p>
<p>Anyway, after the warm-up lap I decided to pull in as the slight vibration was back again. Having just crashed in the Powerbikes, I didn’t want to risk another one.</p>
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<p align="center"><img src="http://ritchie71.com/content/public/upload/ritchiethorntondonington20228_0_o.jpg" alt="undefined" width="90%" /></p>
<p align="center"><span style="color: #808080;"><em>Sunday warm up to another hot sunny day…</em></span></p>
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<p>Race 2 in Powerbikes was a better affair even though my traction control wasn’t working (One thing after another). Although I initially got it wrong on the start I managed to maintain a steady 5th place. I realised I could go much faster, so I started to really push and overtook Luke Wallington on lap 7. I survived some big moments. With no traction control I had a massive slide that had me right out of the seat at Sheene and hanging on for grim death. I came down and landed on the tank and the bike settled itself. It was a close one! Anyway, my pit board told me that Rick Dickinson was on my tail so I kept the hammer down and beat him in a drag to the line. It was a great race and one that I needed after the day before.<br /><br /><br />So, after all that, it was a quick change over to try out the ZX7-R again. The bike actually felt better the faster I went, but on lap 5 when approaching Druids on the brakes the front started to chatter and got worse. I lost the front and down I went. Not much damage, but I still don’t know why I get so much chatter and vibration on the front.<br /><br />Anyway, for last race of the day I managed to fix and reset the ZX10-R’s traction control with the hope it would work.</p>
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<p>I was still on 2nd row, but P5 this time as Rick Dickinson had just pipped me on time. I hate being in the middle and I didn’t get such a good start. We all bunched up and I got stuck behind Rick with Luke Wallington just in front. Rick managed to get passed him early on but I just couldn’t seem to find a way past Luke and I was concerned in case the traction stopped working again unexpectedly. It was hard to convince myself to trust it would always be there.</p>
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<p align="center"><img src="http://ritchie71.com/content/public/upload/ritchiethorntondonington20229_0_o.jpg" alt="undefined" width="90%" /></p>
<p align="center"><span style="color: #808080;"><em>With the traction control working again my confidence returned…</em></span></p>
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<p>I was almost running into the back of him at times and had to back off going into the corners. I got him in the end though. Once I was passed him I got going with more confidence in the traction control which seemed to be behaving itself. But the leading group had long gone and there was no way I could catch them at that point, so I settled for 5th place.</p>
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<p>Looking back, the crash was a tough one to take after all our hard work. Someone said they heard the commentator say, “Ritchie Thornton must be the most-unluckiest rider in the paddock” well after ZX7-R went down again, I’m inclined to agree.</p>
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<p>Still, I have to take heart from the fact that a 1:30.3 lap is the fastest I have ever achieved at the GP circuit and I may never go there again – 2 seconds quicker than last year – and on a bike with a stock motor, was not all bad!</p>
<p><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>STRIKE TWO!</strong></span></p>
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<p align="center"><img src="http://ritchie71.com/content/public/upload/ritchiethorntondonington202210_0_o.jpg" alt="undefined" width="90%" /></p>
<p align="center"><span style="color: #808080;"><em>Working against the clock to finish the new engine…</em></span></p>
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<p>Me and Dad finished building the new engine with Wossner pistons the weekend before and bolted it into the frame late Sunday night. All was good and it sounded great. Then I had to run the bike in on the Tuesday after work and it was about 2 in the morning when I finally got to bed. Still I was happy to have a strong motor back for Donington – a circuit I really like.</p>
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<p>I had a few issues in practice with the bike cutting out so I missed a session trying to trace the fault. It was the ignition switch in the end so I just had to loop it with a connector. After that I was just praying it wouldn’t rain as forecast so we could get some fast laps in. It rained just before going out on the last session which caught everyone out. We went to the holding bay and down it came. Wasn’t worth risking a crash so I gave it a miss along with the majority of the other riders.</p>
<p>We were lucky with the weather all weekend really and it remained fairly warm and dry for qualifying.</p>
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<p align="center"><img src="http://ritchie71.com/content/public/upload/ritchiethorntondonington202211_0_o.jpg" alt="undefined" width="90%" /></p>
<p align="center"><span style="color: #808080;"><em>Left it late again…you can see my best lap- on lap 10!!</em></span></p>
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<p>Early on I was having trouble with traffic struggled between 10th and 8th positions. It wasn’t until the last lap when I got a clear run that I was able to hit a 1:11.2 which was good enough to put me up a few places to a P5 on the second row.</p>
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<p align="center"><img src="http://ritchie71.com/content/public/upload/ritchiethorntondonington202212_0_o.jpg" alt="undefined" width="90%" /></p>
<p align="center"><span style="color: #808080;"><em>Ready for the 10-lap race. I knew I could go quicker with new tyres…</em></span></p>
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<p>I got a decent start, but was baulked on the exit from Redgate by Peter Baker. He started to run wide and rolled off, so I had to as well. That allowed others to come shooting past. It’s not easy in this class when the front runners get away. I knew then that it would be hard to get back to the sharp end. I was 5th for 2 laps then Seamus McGlynn came past me on lap 3, but I soon got him back and managed to stretch a good 4.5 second gap between me and the riders behind. It was a bit of a lonely race after that. The really good thing though, was my lap times; they were fairly consistent, in the 1:10’s and that was encouraging for Sundays races.</p>
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<p>I had planned to take the ZX7-R out for a run in Sunday morning’s warm-up session, just to check to see if handling problems I had at Brands Hatch would happen at Donington. Unfortunately, it rained early on and the conditions were too sketchy… so I left it parked up in the garage. By the time the Powerbikes race came around, the track was dry and the sun was actually trying make an appearance. Conditions were perfect for this 14-lapper!</p>
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<p align="center"><img src="http://ritchie71.com/content/public/upload/ritchiethorntondonington202213_0_o.jpg" alt="undefined" width="90%" /></p>
<p align="center"><span style="color: #808080;"><em>From second row to second place…</em></span></p>
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<p>A good start again from row 2 had me in second spot going into Redgate. I thought, “I’m away here”. This was exactly what I wanted – to be at the front at the start. But it didn’t last long. It was Peter Baker again who came from nowhere.</p>
<p align="center"><img src="http://ritchie71.com/content/public/upload/ritchiethorntondonington202214_0_o.jpg" alt="undefined" width="90%" /></p>
<p>He hit me hard and accelerated right through me, taking me out of the race completely. The next thing I knew I was in the gravel. Me and the bike tumbling until we came to a stop.</p>
<p align="center"><img src="http://ritchie71.com/content/public/upload/ritchiethorntondonington202215_0_o.jpg" alt="undefined" width="90%" /></p>
<p align="center"><span style="color: #808080;"><em>Taken out for the second time in two consecutive meetings…</em></span></p>
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<p>I was absolutely furious, he gave me no room and no warning. My crash helmet was ruined (another one gone) but the bike wasn’t too bad once we stripped it down. All I needed was a front brake reservoir, which my good friend Drew Plaskitt kindly bought for me after running up to get one from Alan at A&R. I was sharing a garage with Peter and he came over with his head in his hands. We had a few words, but in the end, it wasn’t worth falling out over. Sure, it was a reckless move, but nobody does things like that on purpose. Anyway, I had a bike to fix and get scrutineered for the next race. I had to start from P11 on the 5th row, because I hadn’t completed a lap. Sometimes I think I’m going backwards in this class!</p>
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<p>I got a reasonable start but really couldn’t achieve more than 8th place on the first lap. My pace was good though and I could see that if I could get past Rick Dickinson and a couple of others I would be in a strong position, maybe a podium at last. Rick started pushing through and I followed him overtaking the others in our group. Once I got through the group Rick was next on my list. His Panigale is quick, but on lap 8, I got such good drive out of Coppice I was able to out-brake him into the chicane – I almost lost the front doing it too!</p>
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<p align="center"><img src="http://ritchie71.com/content/public/upload/ritchiethorntondonington202216_0_o.jpg" alt="undefined" width="90%" /></p>
<p align="center"><em><span style="color: #808080;">Without a clue, as to what position I was in during Race 3 – I just kept on the pace…</span></em></p>
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<p>I didn’t know it at the time, but at that point I was 3rd. Middlemas was about 3 seconds in front, so I just concentrated on doing good laps and managed to pull a decent gap ahead of Rick. I had no idea where I had finished and was confused when Mum, Dad and my mates in the garage were clapping when I came in. It was bad luck for Nicky Wilson – who was well ahead – he unfortunately crashed out on the last corner, which meant I picked up second spot. Although I was still gutted about being taken out, getting a podium and a medal went some way to making me feel a bit better.</p>
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<p align="center"><img src="http://ritchie71.com/content/public/upload/ritchiethorntondonington202217_0_o.jpg" alt="undefined" width="90%" /></p>
<p align="center"><span style="color: #808080;"><em>A silver medal for the Yellow Ninja…</em></span></p>
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<p>So, on to the final round at Brands Hatch in a couple of weeks. This will be last championship race too. The cost of racing has become too much and with a lot of other things going on in my life it’s just not feasible to commit to a full season.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Thanks to everyone who has supported me. Friends, garage buddies, my loyal sponsors and supporters who have stuck by me over the many years.</p>
<p>See you at Brands.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Ritchie <span style="color: #ff0000;">71</span></strong></span></p>
<p>Sponsors:<br />Wossner Performance Pistons<br />Loomies Café and Shop<br />Vance & Hines<br />R&G Racing<br />OPIE oils<br />Cradley Kawasaki<br />TBR Performance<br />Maxton Suspension<br />OCS Engineering</p>
<p><br />Action Images:<br />Laura Reid<br />Chequered Flag Images</p>http://ritchie71.com/index.php?controller=post&action=view&id_post=562022-09-13T19:29:03+01:00WRONG PLACE, WRONG TIME<p align="center"><img src="http://ritchie71.com/content/public/upload/ritchiethorntoncadwell20221_0_o.jpg" alt="undefined" width="90%" /></p>
<p>Cadwell Park, one of my favourite circuits, but after my engine exploded at Oulton Park it was touch and go whether I would make it. With only a couple of weeks between the meetings, we had to get our skates on.</p>
<p><br />Our sponsor Wossner Pistons were fantastic and sent us a new set of their High-Performance pistons for the ZX10-R. We had the option of a couple of engines – one complete and another in bits – from an old Thundersport mate, Josh Leaning. He said he would sell them to me together for a decent price and we picked everything up from a friend of his who was passing close by in his van at the weekend. Knowing that it was impossible to build another Wossner powered motor in time, I decided to stick the complete stock motor in the bike just to get up to the track in time.</p>
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<p align="center"><img src="http://ritchie71.com/content/public/upload/ritchiethorntoncadwell20222_0_o.jpg" alt="undefined" width="90%" /></p>
<p align="center"><span style="color: #808080;"><em>Back to stock, a second-hand, 8,000-mile motor was better than nothing…</em></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p>This also proved time consuming as I wanted to replace the head gasket, check all the valve clearances, adjust valve timing and install the Gen 5 gearbox. Me and Dad were up ‘til 4 in the morning preparing the engine so it could be hauled into the frame and started. Well, we managed it and we fired her up a couple of days later. There was a lot of smoke at first and this was a real worry until it started to clear. There must’ve been quite a bit of oil blown into the exhaust when the previous engine blew up. After a few runs the engine sounded healthy enough, so we crossed fingers, put the fairing on and loaded up the van. Yes, it was that tight!</p>
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<p align="center"><img src="http://ritchie71.com/content/public/upload/ritchiethorntoncadwell20223_0_o.jpg" alt="undefined" width="90%" /></p>
<p align="center"><span style="color: #808080;"><em>Running well and looking good –the ZX10-R was ready to roll up the ramp and into the van…</em></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p>At Cadwell Park we managed to get set up quite quickly the night before and be ready for practice. The bike actually felt strong, but judging it against the other bikes in my class I was definitely losing out on top end power particularly down the long straight up to Park Corner. I knew before the morning sessions had finished that corner would be my weak point. It’s one of the few places you can actually pass someone at Cadwell and it’s where I would be most vulnerable with the stock engine.</p>
<p> </p>
<p align="center"><img src="http://ritchie71.com/content/public/upload/ritchiethorntoncadwell20224_0_o.jpg" alt="undefined" width="90%" /></p>
<p align="center"><span style="color: #808080;"><em>Making changes made the bike easier to ride and turn… things went well in practice…</em></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Still, I’d rather be at a track than be stuck at home! I made a few changes to the bike to improve things. One significant change was going back to a Pirelli 120 front tyre. The bike handled so much better and at the end of the day I was running 1:33 laps and didn’t feel as shattered. The bike was so much easier to ride and felt more natural to me.</p>
<p>We had a good walk round the track in the evening, joined by our old pal Neil Chantry from the Thundersport days, who had spotted us from his traditional, caravan viewpoint at Charlies. It was great to see him again. So, at the end of the day, I felt I’d done all I could with what I had to work with and was feeling good about qualifying and racing on the Saturday.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>In qualifying the weather was nice and dry and with new tyres on I managed P6 with a 1:33.3. On the timesheet, there wasn’t much between us – apart from Josh Wainwright – so I was quite pleased with my position. If I could get away well in the race I knew I would be able to hold my own. It would be difficult to defend at Park because I was down on power, but I was quick through all the turns; particularly through the Gooseneck, the Chicane and the woodland section. These would be my strong points if I was able to settle in and didn’t get held up.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Race 1 was a complete disaster. An incident in the last lap of the previous race had everyone waiting to go on circuit. I always go on the last call… and it never came. Those who had gone down to the collecting area earlier were on the track before I realised what was happening. It wasn’t just me either. Rick Dickinson, who I got to know quite well over the weekend, was parked nearby and he was waiting too. By the time we got to the gate we had both missed the warm-up lap and were instructed to start at the back of the grid. This was so frustrating after all the hard work me and Dad had put in to get the bike somewhere near the front.</p>
<p> </p>
<p align="center"><img src="http://ritchie71.com/content/public/upload/ritchiethorntoncadwell20225_0_o.jpg" alt="undefined" width="90%" /></p>
<p align="center"><span style="color: #808080;"><em>Me and Rick Dickinson were waiting for the ‘last call’ that never came, it had us waiting again at the gate before the start of Race 1…</em></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p>It’s a long way to catch up from the back. I wasn’t very happy at all. I tried to make up positions on the first lap, it was chaotic and risky. Still, I managed to make up a few places as we approached the bottom of the Mountain section. That’s when it all went wrong. All the riders in front of me put the brakes on a lot earlier than I expected. I was right on top of another rider so quickly I almost hit him. I went down trying avoid a collision and taking him out.</p>
<p> </p>
<p align="center"><img src="http://ritchie71.com/content/public/upload/ritchiethorntoncadwell20226_0_o.png" alt="undefined" width="90%" /></p>
<p align="center"><span style="color: #808080;"><em>Down and out! A close shave as the riders behind almost hit me…</em></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p>I felt sick. My leathers were completely torn out at the front and my custom-painted crash helmet was ruined. I had to sit the race out without completing a lap, knowing that I would have to start at the back again. I was going backwards at a circuit where I should be going forwards.</p>
<p>Dad went into remonstrate with the organisers in the office about why there wasn’t a last call, but the fact is, it couldn’t really change anything. The damage had been done. I could understand Dad’s fury, but I had to think about repairing a bike that wouldn’t even start, and get it ready for Sunday’s races.</p>
<p>We had to push start it to get it to fire up and later took the starter motor apart and the magnets must’ve dislodged in the crash. They were binding up with the internal motor. It just wouldn’t spin properly, it was useless.</p>
<p> </p>
<p align="center"><img src="http://ritchie71.com/content/public/upload/ritchiethorntoncadwell20227_0_o.jpg" alt="undefined" width="90%" /> </p>
<p align="center"><span style="color: #808080;"><em>Starting was a real issue after the starter motor packed up…thank God for the roller!</em></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Sunday morning, once the bike was scrutineered, we had to camp up near the scrutineering shed to get enough power for the roller starter we use to start the ZX7-R. The generator just doesn’t have the muscle to turn over the engine.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>In Race 2 I was pleasantly surprised that my grid position wasn’t at the back as indicated on the sheet, but P12. A bit of good fortune at last and I made the most of it with a decent start. I made good progress throughout the race. I was catching Peter Baker and thought I could get 4th but he managed hold me off in a drag to the line and I finished 5th. It was a tough race, but I was very pleased to push my way up to a good position after what had happened. I’d also put myself back on the 2nd row again, where I was on Saturday!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Our old friend Drew Plaskitt turned up to watch. He lives in Louth and has been a loyal supporter for a long time. He actually said I could ride his bike, a BMW, if I couldn’t get mine started. Although it was a proving to be yet another ‘one-of-those-weekends’, it was so good to see him again.</p>
<p> </p>
<p align="center"><img src="http://ritchie71.com/content/public/upload/ritchiethorntoncadwell20228_0_o.png" alt="undefined" width="90%" /> </p>
<p align="center"><span style="color: #808080;"><em>A different look for Sunday. After the crash, my usual helmet and leathers were failed by the scrutineers…</em></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p>The last race was a bit of a let-down, after so many incidents during the day all races had to be cut short to 6 laps. I made a decent start again. Josh Wainwright did his usual clear off at the front which left a close contest for the remaining positions. Sam Cox lead our group and seemed to be backing us all up. I had to roll off at times going into Hall Bends. I was in 5th position and found it hard to get past Peter Baker who eventually pushed his way past Luke Dixon. I couldn’t get the run I needed to get alongside him at Park Corner. I tried the Hairpin at the end of Hall Bends, but that was proving too risky as I couldn’t get the run to get alongside Luke. I was getting frustrated and on the last lap I knew that Nicky Wilson, who was lurking behind me for most of the race, would have a go at the end of the straight at Park. Sure enough, he did. It was a clean pass that I couldn’t do much about. I followed him through the remaining corners hoping to have a go at him through Hall Bends, but he was quite good through there and it was too risky to try and make a move. I had to settle for 6th, but it was close!</p>
<p> </p>
<p align="center"><img src="http://ritchie71.com/content/public/upload/ritchiethorntoncadwell20229_0_o.jpg" alt="undefined" width="90%" /> </p>
<p align="center"><span style="color: #808080;"><em>Ready to pack up for the long road home…</em></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Not a great weekend, after the disappointment of Oulton Park it made us all feel worse. The long journey home gave us time to reflect and try to put it all into perspective. Yes, it was better to be there than not to be, but we agreed that after the effort we had put in to get the bike ready, we deserved a bit more from a difficult weekend. I knew I had the pace, even with a stock motor, but I could only prove it in the last race on Sunday. It was a case of me being a victim of circumstances. Being in the wrong place at the wrong time created a perfect storm in Saturday’s race when everything went against me.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>In the meantime, we are working on an engine rebuild with new Wossner pistons, but we will be running the stock engine again for Brands Hatch. I have no choice with work commitments and such a short break between meetings.</p>
<p>Should be ready for Donington though – with a bit of luck – after the summer holidays.</p>
<p>We’ll see how we go.</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #000000;">Ritchie</span> <span style="color: #ff0000;">71</span></strong></p>
<p> </p>http://ritchie71.com/index.php?controller=post&action=view&id_post=552022-07-12T08:46:16+01:00BROKEN!<p align="center"> <img src="http://ritchie71.com/content/public/upload/ritchiethorntonoulton20221_0_o.jpg" alt="undefined" width="90%" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p>What I thought was an unbreakable engine after finishing the Snetterton round proved to be otherwise; after only 2 laps of practice at Oulton Park, it blew up!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Oulton is one of those circuits I love…when it all goes right. Last year my lap times on the ZX-10R were in the 1:42’s, so I was looking forward to setting a good pace this year.</p>
<p>Having had time to think about the bike’s handling issues and more time to fix the throttle response, I was ready to go.</p>
<p> </p>
<p align="center"> <img src="http://ritchie71.com/content/public/upload/ritchiethorntonoulton20222_0_o.jpg" alt="undefined" width="90%" /></p>
<p align="center"><span style="color: #808080;"><em> Two bikes all set and ready to go… </em></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p>It was a lovely sunny morning when I rolled out on to the Cheshire tarmac. First lap nice and easy, bike was feeling good. Then on to the second lap, bang went the motor. Luckily, I was at the side of the track and managed to get on to the grass quickly. When the smoke had finally cleared I could see a hole in the front of the crankcase. The con rod on number 3 cylinder had snapped!</p>
<p> </p>
<p align="center"> <img src="http://ritchie71.com/content/public/upload/ritchiethorntonoulton20223_0_o.jpg" alt="undefined" width="90%" /></p>
<p align="center"><span style="color: #808080;"><em> Gutted, the shrapnel after the explosion! Remnants of our ZX10-R motor... </em></span></p>
<p><em> </em></p>
<p>That was the end of the weekend for the ZX10-R. But thankfully, not the end of the weekend for me, although we were still in for a few problems ahead.</p>
<p>So, we parked the main bike and put the warmers on my old Golden Era Superbike – the Kawasaki ZX7-R. I had entered it in the Thunderbike Ultra Class because I thought that the bike could do with a good run for a change. I was glad I did otherwise I would’ve been going home.</p>
<p> </p>
<p align="center"> <img src="http://ritchie71.com/content/public/upload/ritchiethorntonoulton20224_0_o.jpg" alt="undefined" width="90%" /></p>
<p align="center"><span style="color: #808080;"><em> With the ZX10-R back in the van, it was time to focus on the old champ again… </em></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p>It took all day to get the bike to run properly. Not surprising really, as It had been stood for quite a while at home. After every session, it was off with the tank to tweak the flat-side carbs. The bike seemed to want to run on into the corners. The tick over was hanging high before settling down, and it was unsettling me.</p>
<p>The bike felt awful on the front as well. It was juddering as I braked into the corner. We checked the brake pads and they were well past their best. I had some new ones in the van, but that still didn’t solve the problem. So, we checked the head race bearings at the end of the day and sure enough there was a slight amount of movement. We dropped the forks out and with a bit of help from Peter Baker and a few of the other lads in the garage we cleaned all the bearings and replaced the old grease with new and when it all went back in the bike felt so much smoother turning the bars. A busy day again, but at least we had got the ZX7-R track ready at last. All set for qualifying on Friday.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Rain came early in the morning to dampen hopes of a good lap time for qualifying. I was second session out..</p>
<p>The ZX7-R has never been an easy bike to ride in the wet, but I just needed to get a decent spot on the grid for Race 1 as the weather forecast said it would stay dry for the rest of the day. We swapped the wheels for the wets and as I rode up to the to the holding bay I could feel the bike wobbling on the front. The front wheel I recently bought was slightly bent and I could feel it. I got back to the garage and Dad quickly pulled the other wet wheel and tyre out of the van for ZX10-R which fits with wider spacers. As soon as that was in I rode down to the holding bay – bike not wobbling – only to be turned away as the session finished. I would have to start at the back of the grid for the first race. Not where I wanted to be!</p>
<p>Anyway, as I’d entered the Powerbikes I could at least try the ZX7-R out in their qualifying session. I managed P22. Against all the Powerbikes I was getting murdered on the ZX7-R. The track was actually drying lap by lap with the sun beginning to come through and even though I would be at the back later in the Ultra class, I was really looking forward to it.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>In Race 1, I was so far back I could hardly see the lights and when we set off I had to roll off. Riders were weaving in front of me and slowing up. Then I saw the yellow flags waiving and realised there must have been a staller on the grid somewhere. For safety’s sake, I just followed everyone through; dead last into the first corner. Then I got cracking, but it was a sketchy start with me passing riders and them coming past me on the power. We were all backing each other up. Not surprisingly, the ZX7-R struggles against the 170bhp limit in this class.</p>
<p> </p>
<p align="center"> <img src="http://ritchie71.com/content/public/upload/ritchiethorntonoulton20225_0_o.jpg" alt="undefined" width="90%" /></p>
<p align="center"><span style="color: #808080;"><em> Keeping my corner speed up, I soon found form closer to where I used to be… </em></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Still, I just had to keep the momentum going and overtook 3 bikes round the outside of Shell Oils at one point. That was fun! Once I settled into a clear position I could see the guys in front and started to make some head way, finishing 6th. I later found out that one rider was penalised for overtaking on a yellow flag and another disqualified, which put me 4th on the sheet.</p>
<p> </p>
<p align="center"> <img src="http://ritchie71.com/content/public/upload/ritchiethorntonoulton20226_0_o.jpg" alt="undefined" width="90%" /></p>
<p align="center"><span style="color: #808080;"><em> A 1:48 lap placed me 4 th for race 2. I knew I could do better… </em></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p>The bike felt OK but was still running on – like there was no engine braking.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>After a wait that seemed like ages we were called for race 2: This turned out to be a complete nightmare. Not just for me but for the other riders too. They called us to the holding bay and kept us waiting while they collected fallen riders from the previous race. Why on earth they can’t let us know when the track is clear and call us then just seems to escapes me.</p>
<p> </p>
<p align="center"> <img src="http://ritchie71.com/content/public/upload/ritchiethorntonoulton20227_0_o.jpg" alt="undefined" width="90%" /></p>
<p align="center"><span style="color: #808080;"><em> Sitting on the grid for 5 minutes is not good for any bike, but it’s worse for mine… </em></span></p>
<p><em> </em></p>
<p>So, we’re all sitting there with tyres getting cold and my engine getting hotter and hotter. I also have no starter motor on the ZX7-R either. This is to reduce the weight, so I have to push start if I turn it off. I was just about 80 degrees when the Marshall called us to the grid. Problem then was they kept us waiting another 5 minutes and I had turn the engine off at boiling point. You wouldn’t believe it, but about 10 seconds after I hit the kill switch they flagged to start. Despair! One of the start Marshalls tried to help with a couple of pushes, but when the bike is that hot it will not start.</p>
<p>I had to push the bike off the circuit and watch from the side. The race was red-flagged after 3 laps and when I pushed it to start and ride it back…it started first time! Wouldn’t believe it, would you? I had to start in 10th place on Saturday.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Another frustrating day, so me and Dad went for a walk round the circuit to stretch our legs, talk things over and try to calm down. Walking round I started to think about the engine braking issue and decided that while the oil was out of the bike I’d get the clutch out and replace one of the plates with a thicker one. Nothing to lose, it was worth a try.</p>
<p>Well, it worked because in Race 4 the ZX7-R was beginning to feel like it’s old self again braking into the corners was so much better. After a fairly good start I was riding in 5th place. With the gap closing on the riders in front, I was enjoying the chase. Then one rider made a mistake at the chicane, and had to run on and this put me up to 4th. Then the other rider ran wide allowing me to take advantage and finish 3 rd. I was well pleased, and the lap times – a 1:45.9 – put me on the front row… where I like to be!</p>
<p> </p>
<p align="center"> <img src="http://ritchie71.com/content/public/upload/ritchiethorntonoulton20228_0_o.jpg" alt="undefined" width="90%" /></p>
<p align="center"><span style="color: #808080;"><em> Just like old times, back on the front row again… </em></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p>In the last race I got an even better start from the front row and was running second up to the chicane after Shell Oils. At this point the rider in front backed us all up and I lost my drive out and up the rise just after. This allowed quite a few of the more powerful bikes to come past me – it was hard work after that. Still, I managed to pass a few more and I didn’t know what position I was. All I could see was Mark Wilby and I was reeling him in lap after lap eventually overtaking him on the exit of Shell Oils. Pleased with the move I was in 4 th and on the last lap Wallington crashed at Lodge and I finished 3 rd again.</p>
<p> </p>
<p align="center"> <img src="http://ritchie71.com/content/public/upload/ritchiethorntonoulton20229_0_o.jpg" alt="undefined" width="90%" /></p>
<p align="center"><span style="color: #808080;"><em> Two nice bronze medals from Bemsee… </em></span></p>
<p><em> </em></p>
<p>A couple of medals for our efforts dulled the pain of the broken ZX10-R but when I think of how it could have been, it still nags at me. Mainly because, even if I just repeated last year’s times, I would’ve been in the top 3 at least.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I’d like to thank all the lads in the garage, like Peter Baker, Harry Hinchcliffe, my old mate Martin Stanier who came to watch and Andy Scanlon, who rides in the Extreme Class for their support, without there encouragement it would’ve been a lot more depressing that’s for sure.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Now we have to think about what to do with the broken ZX10-R, it’s not going to easy. Once again, a big thanks to those who have helped me so far and to all my sponsors.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Loomies Café and Shop</p>
<p>Wossner Performance Pistons</p>
<p>Vance & Hines</p>
<p>R&G Racing</p>
<p>OPIE oils</p>
<p>Cradley Kawasaki</p>
<p>TBR Performance</p>
<p>Maxton Suspension</p>
<p>OCS Engineering</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #000000;">Ritchie</span> <span style="color: #ff0000;">71</span></strong></p>http://ritchie71.com/index.php?controller=post&action=view&id_post=542022-06-10T15:07:48+01:00