Not a bad day at Cadwell yesterday. 3 no-shows on the day (why???) and possibly the hottest I have ever seen at Cadders. The biggest problem is finding some shade as there are no pit garages.
Alex and I rocked up just in time for the instructor briefing at 8.15 followed by the 8.30 safety briefing. Being the trackday gods that we are neither of us had remembered to bring a tyre pressure gauge or pump for that matter. Anyway, luggage thrown off the bikes, 9am and we were out with our groups to do some led laps.
After the first session, with some time to spare, I took some air out my tyres with some guesswork as they were hot already. Having checked them this morning cold they were 30f 34r. The M7RRs worked very well in the conditions at those pressures with very clean wear across the treads both front and back. Only problem was increased TC intervention on the rear later on in the day. I thought these tyres were nearly at the end of their life when I set off on Sunday morning but looking at them today they still have a mm or two of legal tread left which knowing these would last most of the summer. Nonetheless Rosso3s are going on next week.
I did a couple of sessions before lunch with some inters/novice riders just to help them understand the lines, gain confidence, and ultimately gain speed. Cadwell is not easy to ride slowly even though that may sound odd. The feedback was positive with some big grins which is always nice to see.
The heat played its role, it was baking. No breeze to speak of but unreleting heat from the sun. We hid in the back of bins' van (thanks Robert, not that we asked lol). I think I drank at least 8 litres of water and didn't need to relieve myself all day, it was hard keeping hydrated. I think that told the tale of the day because as the final sessions went out the red flags made their appearance and I decided to call it a day and miss the last time out.
Although there was the usual traffic I did get a couple of good sessions where I was riding for myself. The penultimate session of the day was the best with little traffic to hinder progress and multiple laps at 1:55/1:56, with a couple of 1:54's mixed in. That was 5 seconds faster than where I was at the start of the day with each session getting a bit quicker. I certainly have found a lot more pace around Cadders on this visit and had my body and mind been up to it, more grip, less bikes, I dont think something around 1:50 is unachievable. I'd be happy with that. My best last year was a 1:58.
As for Alex, I hope he doesn't mind me saying but his riding has really improved from where he was last year. I spent a couple of laps following him and the boy done well.
Next TD is Snetterton in August.