Team work
By TMX Archives on 12th Jan 04
WELL, 2004 has arrived and it's all systems go. The team's coming together and the bike testing has been going really well. WELL, 2004 has arrived and it's all systems go. The team's coming together and the bike testing has been going really well. Karl Prestwood has been helping out with exhaust pipes and motor work and I feel that we've already got the package we want.Our Kiwi rider Paul Whibley hasn't arrived yet so I've been doing most of the riding and testing and I've really enjoyed having keen and enthusiastic people around me. Roger Harvey has been really supportive and is always interested to know how things are going - because of his riding background he understands that it isn't easy, especially trying to compete at top level.Without getting into a slanging match or bad- mouthing old bikes and teams, the Honda's pretty damn good and even though it's going to be a converted MXer it's probably the best Jap bike to use for enduros. The chassis is stable and now with a little more grunt from the engine we have a bike that's more than good enough.At the moment I'm waiting on parts from Italy - side stands, lighting coils and wiring looms should all be on their way. I'm also hoping that by the end of the month we'll have a full race bike ready to test for the press and Paul (when he arrives). Well that's it for team stuff and on to the riding stuff! Like I said I've been doing some riding/testing over the Christmas period. First stop Fordy's and the Plymouth track, using the time to go and see JD Racing and the boys and girls. I took a bike for the mad Rabbit to test, although jetting wasn't finalised then and some cheapskate (me!) had put regular unleaded and not super plus in the tank. So the mad one was unleashed on my beast and, naturally, he had a bit of a get-off (we thought Rabbit didn't crash! - SL) but he was still a happy bunny.After that it was off to Weston SX Arena with Karl to sort out jetting. Although I don't ride supercross it was great training and good for testing - not getting the machine full of mud was a bonus and the 10-minute sessions helped me understand if we'd made it better or worse. The good thing for me is that Karl seems to understand that I want an engine smooth and strong and also jetted quite rich. Most people try to run two-strokes too clean and that isn't the one! The day went well and it was soon home for a New Year's Eve party.With the bike running well I decided to go with Rabbit up to SIMX in Sheffield - another indoor track and like Weston not too difficult but loads of fun. But we only did a session each as we had to leave for Rob Meek's 40th bash and minibike stuff etc!I've pretty much done all my major testing now and can concentrate on getting fit and organising the team. We've got a calendar planned out and our main focus is the world and British enduro championships plus Fast Eddys as well as Weston and hopefully the ISDE.While I had some free time the other week I went to see Jonty Edmonds who's been in hospital over the Christmas period. He's getting better but doesn't know how long he's staying in. Get well soon mate - I'll be needing my press releases doing! While on the press side of things, my new website is ready - www.fasteddyracing.com - so people can keep an eye on the team more closely (thanks Matt). It's going to be updated regularly and we're hoping to get video footage of us on the Hondas on the web pretty soon.Fast Eddys have dates and venues ready to go and it's going to be four rounds again. I think it's going to be good having quads there on the Saturday as they seem to be getting pretty big now. Also, having TV at the races can only be good for the series and the sport.Well that's it, I'm off training and then planning to drop in and see Don at the AMCA.Fast Eddy