From the back of the grid to 1st place

Just saw this message on FB by Dave Watson

"Good day at Aintree, didn't get out in qualifier on Norton due to a broken wire but won the final from back of grid..."

"It's the 1007cc that you supply the eng internals for back in 2009/10, I think it was about then .."

Gary Thwaites riding and Gordon Humphreys engine builder. Another of many wins with this combo.

Beautiful bikes...

yup, there's nothing quite as satisfying as winning from the last row at the back of the pack... nothing even close...

Shame that the Aintree circuit is finished and unlikely to have racing again due to a crash where someone is sueing the club.. Loved that place.

FastFred said:

Shame that the Aintree circuit is finished and unlikely to have racing again due to a crash where someone is sueing the club.. Loved that place.

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Latest news about Aintree ; prior to the lockdown negotiations were underway with The ACU and the Jockey Club, some resurfacing is to be undertaken and there was one race meeting planned for this year with a full programme for next season. we can only hope that the pandemic has only delayed the return and not completly stopped it.

Moto55UK said:

Latest news about Aintree ; prior to the lockdown negotiations were underway with The ACU and the Jockey Club, some resurfacing is to be undertaken and there was one race meeting planned for this year with a full programme for next season. we can only hope that the pandemic has only delayed the return and not completly stopped it.

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That's great to hear Mike. I spoke to Dave Edwards last year who had just finished a meeting with the insurers and he said it didnt go well at all. Maybe next year then hopefully..

o0norton0o said:

yup, there's nothing quite as satisfying as winning from the last row at the back of the pack... nothing even close...

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I would not know. Winning from the front of the grid is not easy. - From the back is ridiculous - were they all asleep ?

FastFred said:

Shame that the Aintree circuit is finished and unlikely to have racing again due to a crash where someone is sueing the club.. Loved that place.

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What very few of us ever hear about, is the size of insurance pay-outs. We had a guy who died of a heart attack during a car race. The payout was in the tens of millions. In most countries you cannot sign away your common law right to sue. So the premiums are exorbitant. I would not race without insurance myself, but there are plenty who would.

One of my most enjoyable races was after I’d been collared by the noise police and had to baffle my megas. I knew these caused a huge flat spot (from dyno testing) but had ever ridden with them fitted.

On the start grid I could not hear my quiet bike above the roar, which didn’t help. When the flag dropped auto reflexes kicked in, riding the bike as ‘normal’ but cos of the baffles the thing very nearly died, I caught it before it did (just) but not before everyone else had buggered off !

I was so pissed off, the red mist dropped and I fought through the field on pure anger and adrenaline. I absolutely loved it! I didn’t win, but there were some good lads out that day so I was very pleased to come second.

If only you could take a pill that released that kind of energy and adrenaline. I’d have ‘em for breakfast !

Not sure when this message refers to, but it isn't recent. The Aintree club states 'suspended until further notice'

This gels with the fact that the ACU who control most motorcycle sport in the UK have suspended race meetings.

Great acheivement from Gary as always, but not this year.

I was under the impression that Dave wasn't fielding any bikes either, though I know his main beef was with the UK CRMC.

acotrel said:

I would not know. Winning from the front of the grid is not easy. - From the back is ridiculous - were they all asleep ?

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Gary is an exceptional rider. I would be happy to place 2nd behind him in his tricked out 1000 with all the efficient goodies.