125GP Rider
Copyright Scott Dootson 2010©. All Rights Reserved.
11th-
Full Gas on the way into the Hairpin.
I worked on my fitness over winter and I could feel the difference in Fridays practise sessions. My Mechanic and Dad Dave Dootson, really did his homework over winter and the bike was 100% better. Our pace in practise was impressive, as we got straight onto the 1.01.00 lap times, 1 seconds faster than last year and the temperature was a lot lower too. It was really nice because friends and relatives could see our new found speed and confidence straight away. I felt a great deal more confident on the bike under braking and into the 110mph entry to Gerard’s.
A short qualifying left me 5th. I only did around 6 laps and struggled to string a good lap together due to meeting several slower riders through corners like the bus stop which can only be taken with riders in single file. I wrote off another lap after hitting my shoulder on the famous tall curb at the hairpin ( I have the paint on my leathers to prove it!). I managed to qualify on a 1.00.487 which wasn’t too bad. I knew I had put a lap together which would have been capable of putting me on the first row however it was ruined on the last lap of qualifying when my chain jumped off on the exit of the Devil’s elbow at the beginning of the start finish straight. Little damaged was caused so I was just glad the bike would be fine for the race.
I finished 2nd in my first race on Saturday with the leader crossing the line just 2.1 seconds before me! My pitboard crew which consists of Tara Dootson (sister) and Nick Chiodo her boyfriend, looked like they were going to jump onto the track with excitement as I crossed the line punching the air.
Sundays race and I was up at the sharp end once again however, on the last lap I was the first 125GP bike. I went to pass a 450 Twin into the chicane and crashed out of 1st.
James Robinson went onto win the race, so fair play to James he rode a great race! Setting the pace of a race is new to me so this is something I am working on. I had some great advice on how to handle myself while leading a race from Alex Heaton all weekend who rides in the GP1 class. So cheers for the advices mate.
I’ll be ready for Anglesey and faster than ever with some tricks up my sleeve!
Me and Dad ( Dave Dootson) with our trophy
6th-
Pictures taken by ‘Glyn Richardson’
28th-
Cousin Annabelle trying out the little 125. Possible team back up rider?
Cadwell Park and the bike felt great for the whole weekend after some modifications to the setup. We are going faster after every session on the bike and this is brilliant. The bike felt good in both the wet and dry and didn’t skip a beat all weekend.
I felt very comfortable on the bike despite the tricky wet conditions, even under the cover of the trees where the track is greasy. The last time I rode Cadwell was on my old 1992’ 125 Honda and that was also my first time there. So being on the 2002 Honda this time really made me appreciate the improved handling the later Honda has. Cadwell is a track I really enjoy as it’s so physical for the rider through the mountain section where the bike is being bullied from left to right. After a successful days testing the bike felt good for Sunday’s races.
We finished 2nd and 3rd so this was another great result with my race starts improving every time, something I have struggled with in the past.
Monday morning practice and the bike felt good once again, I never opened her up fully as there are no prizes for going fast in practice. I had a great start in race one and got past a few Aprilia 450 lads early on in the first lap as I really wanted to get onto the pace as soon as possible so I could tag onto the back of some of the faster riders. I passed two of them going into turn 8 Mansfield. As I passed them on the brakes it didn’t really feel like I was pushing the front, the bike and track felt like they still had more grip to offer. So I then concentrated on staying smooth and keeping the riders ahead of me in sight so I could learn from them.
At that moment I felt good on the bike and not really like I was taking too many risks and the bike was giving me good feedback. But then as I entered turn 11 at the bottom of the mountain the bike let go. I now understand why this happened so I can take a valuable lesson from this and move on. I was gutted not to finish but to look on the bright side the bike felt strong on full gas and I had improved several aspects of my riding. So there were lots of positive points to take away from the race.
I feel ready for Mallory and I am confident I can improve on my lap times from our last outing there.
Massive thanks to everyone involved and a big thanks to all my family who came out in force in their bright red ‘Dootson Race fleeces’ to support me. Massive thank you to the Sponsors also for all their help and support. Newave Heating Ltd, Dental Air, Atlas Copco, R.E.W.L., ELAS, Putoline Oils and Lechler Coatings.
Anglesey was a really difficult weekend. Fridays testing was going well, we were
making adjustments to the bike which were improving my lap times little my little.
Until the 4th session when a Superteen Aprilia lost all it’s oil in turn one. With
no warning I rode straight over it and crashed out along with around 10 other riders.
This was a set-
Sunday I was taken out in race 1 on the warm-
The last race I was really looking forward to, I had a good game plan and really planed to push hard for a good result to make up for my DNF in race 1. However in racing things don’t always go as planned; as I made my way through the paddock to the race my steering damper dropped all it’s oil. It must have been damaged due to the previous crash. So we had no choice but to remove the damper about 40 seconds before the race. I only just made it onto the grid in time and struggled all race to ride the bike the way I wanted, it was just shaking like crazy underneath me.
The next round is at Cadwell Park on the 28th of May, where we will be making up for our bad luck at Anglesey. As Mike George my sponsor from ‘Dental Air UK’ said “Just bank it and move on.”
I’m going to be 100% focused on a good result at Cadwell. Big thank you to my family who travelled a long way to come see me race, So thanks guys means allot. And thanks to my dad for mending the bike after the several incidents over the weekend.
Please take the time to check out the ‘Sponsor’ page of the site. As without them my racing career would not be possible.
I look forward to updating you on a good result after Cadwell Park! So watch this space!
Cheers everyone.
24th-
Dad loving a sunny Mallory Park
A superb weekends racing at Mallory Park and one I feel I rode my best to date. I felt very comfortable on the bike all weekend and improved after every session. Every lap finding a few tenths here and there. A few changes were made to the bike setup some that worked and some that didn’t during practice. So it’s always nice to try new things in practice to see what works and what doesn’t because that's what it’s for at the end of the day.
My feeling on the bike has come leaps and bounds and so when I debrief with my dad after each session a clear conclusion is always found. I qualified well, on the 3rd row and 3rd in my class.
It was my first time riding on slicks when the track was pretty damp in places. It’s slightly strange riding flat out at 110mph with spots of rain on my visor knowing you’re on dry tyres. Especially when you’re dragging your knee on the floor over wet patches.
I’m very happy to say that my starts are 100% better so it was nice to have a good qualifying and not be stuck behind riders into the first corner. In the first race I had a issue with the bike so had to pull in.
However made up for this in the second race with a 4th place. Sundays race 1 I finished 4th and in race 2 I finished 5th. The last race was cut three laps short due to a red flag incident which ruined my chances on making a last lap dive for a podium. I have taken away several positives features from the weekend and will for sure be an improved rider next time on the bike.
