Granite Racing

I had hoped to update the page sooner after last weekend's No Limits Endurance race at Donington. We'd assembled a 4-man team for this 5 hour race, Michael McKinnon who I raced against in the Scottish pre-injection 600 championships last season and Ade Bridges and Matty Whelan who I raced against at Thundersport.

Matty did an excellent job in qualifying, putting us 5th out of 37 (I think) on the grid. Michael took the first 25 minute stint and left us sitting a creditable 12th at the pit stop. Matty was up next, consistency lapping in the 1:33 second bracket on his Fireblade, which is very fast.

I took over just under an hour into the race and settled into a rhythm around the 1:43 pace, with 1:40 as a target by the conclusion of the race. However, on my 6th or 7th lap, rounding the very fast Sheene Curve, the rear end of the bike began to step out. This resulted in a slide, followed by a tumble on reaching the grass.

The injuries have only affected my left leg but, due to the speed, are significant. I've fractured both the tibia and fibula as well as dislocating my kneecap. Since the accident I've spent one night in hospital in Nottingham, one night at home and 4 in hospital in Aberdeen. I'm expecting to be allowed home today and a long road to recovery will begin.

Massive thanks to everyone who has helped ferry me around, visited me in hospital or messaged to ask how I'm getting on. Love to you all.

A great evening as ever at the Knockhill Motor Sports Club awards last night. Thanks to everyone at the club who puts so much effort into these evenings.

3rd place pre-injection trophy presented by club President Niall McKenzie. Some guy calling himself 'Mad Mark' turned up too, he had a unique approach to mental conditioning which I'm looking to utilise going forward.

There hasn't been much to report these past few weeks but here's a bit of a 'Thank you' post. Lewis at 2 Wheel Developments has done a fantastic job on this season's R6 race bike. Not only does the bike look great, the engine is now as strong as any 600 he's seen on his dyno (see attached charts). From a 113bhp stock engine which was feeling a little tired, he's produced something special.

Really looking forward to riding this in Spain next month. 😎

Our friend Craig Shirlaw has started his own business. Motorcycles are in his blood and he's been extremely generous to everyone in the Scottish road race paddock and beyond. Please check out his page.

https://www.facebook.com/GraniteMoto

Granite Moto Granite Moto is based in the heart of Aberdeenshire along Royal Deeside, Headed up by Craig Shirlaw.

Happy New Year and best wishes for 2024 to all followers of the page.

Looking forward to having a busier season this year, starting with a February trip to Cartagena.

Two years to the day since I won the Golden Era Supersport/Steelsport - Blackbird Corporate sponsored class .

What a fantastic year that was, so many fantastic memories and brilliant friends made. Thank you to everyone involved.

Looking ahead to 2024, I'll be riding a new bike, a 2019 Yamaha R6, but the 20+ year old pre-injection R6 will still be making an appearance here and there. For now, I'll be getting my head down and doing enough work to pay for it all! 🥳

Throwback Thursday to 9 years ago, racing at East Fortune with Melville Motor Club.

Only the one race today but I did manage to finish that in 3rd place which secured overall 3rd place in the Knockhill Motor Sports Club pre injection 600 championship. Hoping that today's fallers make a full recovery. 🤞

Quick update on today's racing. After qualifying 2nd I finished the first race in 3rd place and the second race in 5th, in the process strengethening my hold on 3rd place in the Knockhill Motor Sports Club pre injection 600 championship.

Two more races tomorrow, weather forecast is very good so let's see what we can do.