Here we go again, the British Superbike season finally got underway last weekend at Brands Hatch, after a winter that seems to have taken an age to pass, I walked into the paddock at Brands and it felt like I’d never been away! It won’t be long I’m sure before the season is over again, wishing it away already, no not at all, bring it on I say!

I managed to pass the time in the winter and attended a number of off road events, including the first couple of rounds of the British Motocross Championship at Canada Heights and Langrish. Dad has put me in charge of the sponsorship side of things with our Gaerne Motocross boots, we’re helping a number of teams and riders during 2009 and so far, fingers crossed, the boys are going well and the Big ‘G’s are P1 in a couple of Championships so keep up the good work!

Brands, well it didn’t snow – that’s a good start. However, the fog was set in and looked like it was set to stay. The weather for the weekend was miserable. It was good to see everyone again; there had been a few new changes, new teams, new mechanics, riders walking into the wrong garages, new colours, new bikes and the odd new girlfriend and a few new hairstyles (suzy!!)! Keeps us all on our toes but it was good to be back.

I’m working for Leon (Camier), Brendan (Roberts – WSBK) and Centurion Racing for the 09 season and as always everyone was a little nervous before the first session on Friday morning. I stayed well out the way in the press room and kept a watchful eye on what was going on. The weather didn’t improve for the entire weekend up until the minute the racing stopped on Monday when the sun decided to shine – typical.

I was a little curious to see how Leon would get on with his new toy, a Yamaha that he’d never ridden until Friday and there he was banging in times, which saw him sitting near the top of the time screens. He was more than happy, unusually happy for Leon but I wasn’t complaining as a happy rider is a good one in my eyes! The weekend progressed and as did he, a fourth in race one with a trip through the gravel and a race win in the second race. It didn’t surprise me as I knew he’d be able to do it but not at the first race so fair play to him! Ok ok I was a tad nervous (well very!) before the first race. Let’s just hope the rest of the season will follow that path, fingers crossed.

Centurion had a steady weekend with Tom (Grant) and Dan (Cooper) but I’m very sure that things will head in the right direction at the remaining races, still a long way to go that’s for sure.

Brendan’s had a hard introduction to the World Superbike scene with two monster crashes, one in testing in Portugal and one during the race in Valencia. Both big high sides, luckily no major injuries but not the ideal start he was hoping for in his debut World Superbike season with Guandalini Ducati. I’m just hoping things will settle a little more as the racing goes on and that he gets the results we all know he’s capable of, have a good one Bren!

So it’s all go again and I’m hoping for a good season!

Cheers

Carly