EMRA Rd5 - Does it ever stop raining?

Round five of the EMRA Championships took place on Sunday. It was mainly wet! But that didn't deter the BMC Racing team from getting stuck in and making the most of the situation.

The start of the day saw thick fog. But that soon lifted to leave us with qualifying that was, in fact, a dry session. Again they stuck the Formula 400s and 600 Superstocks out on track together, which gave Leon his usual headache. He opted to go out in the 400s on the 400, and then going out in Formula 600s on his R6 (which was making its maiden voyage in the new colours). So how did we all do? Well, Leon was predictably on the front row in the 400s and rode a blinder on the R6 to stick it on pole for the Superstocks. Amazing! Mike headed up the second row, Gordon headed up row three and James headed up row four. I also made row four along with James. So not a bad session all round really! Oh, and Freddy wasn't out to play this time but hopefully will be there for the race of the year.

After a lot of rainfall, and a change of tyres, race one got under way. The very wet conditions were always going to be tough, but we all seemed to get away well. Leon did the usual trick of disappearing off out front, with Mike in second place (it was wet after all). The rest of us were well placed mid-pack, with James pulling in after a couple of laps with a suspected problem. We hadn't been in to the race that long when there was a faller (Simon Hedges) at Edwinas. It seemed pretty serious so a red flag was called and we all lined up for a restart. The restart was a similar scene to the first. Leon leading right from the off to take victory (and the Paul Vincent Trophy). Mike again moved up to second for a while, before being edged out to an excellent third place. Gordon rode well to eighth place and some more points, and I managed to sneak my first championship point with a tenth place finish. Didn't we do well!

Race two was also a wet one. The rain hadn't stopped all day, but at least we didn't have the last minute panic of changing tyres again. We lined up on the grid in our race one finishing positions. Which put Leon and Mike on the front row, Gordon on the second row, and yours truly on the row three. James' DNF meant he had to start at the back of the grid. Again we all got off to good starts. Leon out front again, with Mike settling in closely behind in third, which he held for the entire race. I had the start of my life and somehow found myself up to seventh for half of the race, but fell away slightly towards the end (which I'm blaming on the quickshifter!) I still managed another championship point for a tenth place finish though. Gordon again took a well deserved eigth place and yet more points in the bag. Leon could have taken the championship if he'd won race two. But a contentious overtaking maneuver during yellow flags relegated him to second place. These things happen, and he gets to enter the race of the year with his huge championship lead in tact. One more solid ride needed to bring the championship home, which would be nothing less than he deserves. Good luck for the final round!

Here's a fun little taster of the 400 action:

Mike is now guaranteed a third place in the championship after Simon Hedges' misfortune (who we all hope has recovered from his race one spill). This is great for Mike who has ridden consistently all season, no matter what the weather decides to do. He now goes in to the race of the year with an outside chance of going one better and claiming the second spot...we'll just have to wait and see.

So how did Leon get on in the 600s then? Well an excellent second place in race one followed by a sixth in race two was great. Both races had their challenges but Leon rode well and has now moved up to second place in the 600 Superstock championship. Awesome! He now has the chance to take this title too if all goes to plan. This will be tough, considering Leon's missed two rounds this year, but to find himself in such close contention for the title (now only 3 points behind the leader) is just brilliant! Well done mate!

(Mike was the cover boy on the programme)

(Leon and Mike with their usual barrow-load of silverware)

(The R6 looked amazing)

(Leon breathes heavily down Matt Woolridge's neck)

(James got another second place in the novice race)

(It was great to see Myles, from Manbat, with his wife Louise and son Monty joining in all the fun)

(Monty looked very comfortable on one of the 400s)

(Thank you for all the support we get from everyone)

Leon at Pembrey

Well, the bank holiday weekend saw the latest round of the highly competitive Thundersport GB series, this time at Pembrey. Leon was there competing in the Junior Powerbike series. And, as usual, was at the sharper end of the action - with  4th and 5th place finishes. Ok, so it wasn't the heady heights of the last round at Mallory Park, and he didn't break the lap record, but he rode excellently! Not only did he clock up lap times in the 1:03's, he was also riding against some top class riders on bikes that were simply awesome in a straight line. 

It was the quickest he's ever been round Pembrey, his lap times would have put him right at the front in many other club series. And it was only his third time there! So, big congratulations to Leon, making yet more progress in an already very impressive showing this season.

And let's not forget about Jo and Chanelle, who made it on to the front row - as grid girls no less. Tracey was very proud indeed!

(Leon nicely placed on row two - just behind the grid girls)

(Jo and Chanelle in full BSN regalia)

(Leon 'The Shredder' Jeacock strikes again)

Pretty in pink

Leon's R6 has been having a makeover - and here's some 'hot off the press' pictures of how she's looking. Isn't she a beauty! It brings a tear to my eye...Well done everyone!

I can't wait to marvel at the finished article out on track very soon. She will certainly turn heads, that's for sure!

(Yummy!)

On the gogglebox

Tonight was a special night. Tonight was the night that the world (or at least those who were watching Motors TV earlier) got to see Leon's fantastic performance at Mallory Park in the Thundersport GB Junior Powerbike series. Leon rode a blinder, and the TV coverage proved it. Priceless!

Leon also interviews rather well too. Here's a very crudely recorded version for those who may have missed it. Apologies for the quality but you get the idea...

There's something in the air

Meet the new addition to the BMC Racing outfit. It's a new, more efficient air-scoop for the ram air system. Wonderfully designed, engineered and built by Mike and Rod. A true work of art! Watch out for it in action at the next round of EMRA. 

Like father like son

We all recently spent an evening at Mike and Kath's. And we were treated to a motocross display from Thomas (Mike and Kath's son) and Mikey (Thomas' mate). After a little bit of mentoring from Mike, they were soon flying round the back field without a care in the world. It's never too early to start nurturing BMC riders of the future!

(Twist the throttle on the right son)

(That's my boy!)

(The suspension may need adjusting)

(Mikey shows us what he can do)

(Thomas acknowledges the onlooking crowd)

(The crowd were all impressed)

Craig Jones tragic accident

23 year old World Supersport rider Craig Jones died in the early hours of today. He succumbed to the serious head injuries he sustained in an accident round Clark Curve at Brands Hatch yesterday.

Entries on the blog of this nature are ones that we always hope never have to be made. They just serve as unfair reminders about the dangers that we all face as motorbike racers.

Craig was one of britains brightest young hopefuls who obviously had a fantastic racing career ahead of him. It all seems so cruel. And only last year Craig had presented Leon with his EMRA trophy, so the news hits home a little harder. Everyone at BMC Racing would like to send sincere condolences to his family and friends at such a terrible time.