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Race report from Kells 2009 Kells 2009 was an international event for the first time in its 15 year history. The event
was marred by the tragic death of Westmeath rider Padraig Campbell in the practice for the 400 Support race on
Saturday evening. The event only went ahead on Sunday after the organisers consulted with Mr Campbells family
and they agreed that the event should continue. I had 2 bikes for this meeting, my own 1000 suzuki and Anthony's
Honda 400. The practice for the Open class was postponed twice on Saturday due to the weather, and then
eventually was rescheduled for Sunday morning. The practice for the 400 national class was dry and Anthony's bike
was going ok but we had the gearing a bit wrong so I had no top speed. Then on the 4th lap the bike suddenly
stopped so I pulled in. The session was red-flagged at the same time though and next thing a recovery van arrived
and collected me and I was back in the paddock. The battery lead had fallen off. Sunday morning came and the
weather was looking a bit dodgy. Unusual at Kells as has been mostly good weather there over the years. The track
was in perfect condition thanks to the efforts of the Kells club with more safety equipment in place than any track in
Ireland for both riders and spectators. We got 2 practice sessions for the Open class, and thankfully I qualified in
about 20th place for the Open and Grand Final races. It was the highest standard ever at Kells with most of the
second half of the grid covered by less than a second in qualifying. I only got to about lap 4 in the open race when
the clutch burnt out completely. End of race! Next up was the 400 race on Anthony's bike. We were in the same race
as the SV650's but as a separate class. I started on the second row on full wets as the heavens opened just before
the start. Thanks to Anthony and Kenny for changing the wheels on the road about 2 minutes before the start. I got
a shit start as I forget I only had about 70 horsepower, not 170 like the other bike. It took me a while to get going in
the wet, last thing I wanted to do was crash someone elses bike. Eventually I started making ground and positions,
but the bike kept jumping out of gear. I crossed the line in 3rd place, and with another lap I would have been
second. Maybe next time. Then it was a mad rush around the paddock to find some new clutch plates. Eventually I
got half a set from John Burrows mechanic, (Thanks Simon and John), and we set about cleaning and rebuilding the
clutch. We were very tight for time with Stuart and Kenny putting the engine covers back on while I was in the van
putting my leathers on! We could hear the commentator saying the bikes were out on the road for the Grand Final
as they were refitting the fairing and I was Filling the fuel at the same time. I jumped on, drove up the paddock and
out the gate with a cold engine and cold tyres. (not a good plan on dunlop tyres!). After the warm up lap we checked
to make sure there were no oil leaks and away we went. It was a really tight race, with no riders at all getting lapped
and battles all the way down the field. Nobody was giving an inch, as is usually the way at Kells. The temporary fix
on the clutch worked for a few laps but then started slipping again but it was good enough to hold my position for
the rest of the race. Another tough weekend at Kells but the racing was very good. Apparently it was great to watch
too, but I'd still rather be in it. The big jumps were just as scary as ever, but really cool when you get them right on
the big bike. The next race for me is the Mid-Antrim 150, on Sat 1st August. All the Best Alan.
was marred by the tragic death of Westmeath rider Padraig Campbell in the practice for the 400 Support race on
Saturday evening. The event only went ahead on Sunday after the organisers consulted with Mr Campbells family
and they agreed that the event should continue. I had 2 bikes for this meeting, my own 1000 suzuki and Anthony's
Honda 400. The practice for the Open class was postponed twice on Saturday due to the weather, and then
eventually was rescheduled for Sunday morning. The practice for the 400 national class was dry and Anthony's bike
was going ok but we had the gearing a bit wrong so I had no top speed. Then on the 4th lap the bike suddenly
stopped so I pulled in. The session was red-flagged at the same time though and next thing a recovery van arrived
and collected me and I was back in the paddock. The battery lead had fallen off. Sunday morning came and the
weather was looking a bit dodgy. Unusual at Kells as has been mostly good weather there over the years. The track
was in perfect condition thanks to the efforts of the Kells club with more safety equipment in place than any track in
Ireland for both riders and spectators. We got 2 practice sessions for the Open class, and thankfully I qualified in
about 20th place for the Open and Grand Final races. It was the highest standard ever at Kells with most of the
second half of the grid covered by less than a second in qualifying. I only got to about lap 4 in the open race when
the clutch burnt out completely. End of race! Next up was the 400 race on Anthony's bike. We were in the same race
as the SV650's but as a separate class. I started on the second row on full wets as the heavens opened just before
the start. Thanks to Anthony and Kenny for changing the wheels on the road about 2 minutes before the start. I got
a shit start as I forget I only had about 70 horsepower, not 170 like the other bike. It took me a while to get going in
the wet, last thing I wanted to do was crash someone elses bike. Eventually I started making ground and positions,
but the bike kept jumping out of gear. I crossed the line in 3rd place, and with another lap I would have been
second. Maybe next time. Then it was a mad rush around the paddock to find some new clutch plates. Eventually I
got half a set from John Burrows mechanic, (Thanks Simon and John), and we set about cleaning and rebuilding the
clutch. We were very tight for time with Stuart and Kenny putting the engine covers back on while I was in the van
putting my leathers on! We could hear the commentator saying the bikes were out on the road for the Grand Final
as they were refitting the fairing and I was Filling the fuel at the same time. I jumped on, drove up the paddock and
out the gate with a cold engine and cold tyres. (not a good plan on dunlop tyres!). After the warm up lap we checked
to make sure there were no oil leaks and away we went. It was a really tight race, with no riders at all getting lapped
and battles all the way down the field. Nobody was giving an inch, as is usually the way at Kells. The temporary fix
on the clutch worked for a few laps but then started slipping again but it was good enough to hold my position for
the rest of the race. Another tough weekend at Kells but the racing was very good. Apparently it was great to watch
too, but I'd still rather be in it. The big jumps were just as scary as ever, but really cool when you get them right on
the big bike. The next race for me is the Mid-Antrim 150, on Sat 1st August. All the Best Alan.
