Fresh from taking his first ever 125cc World Championship points, with a brilliant ride in front of his home fans at the British Grand Prix, 15-year-old Repsol Honda rider Bradley Smith tells all in his Crash.net column...What a weekend I've had at Donington. A home race, hot as any Spanish mid-summer's day, my first points in the world championship and the first rookie in the 125 class to do that this year. Brilliant! It feels really good.
Friday was the key really as we clicked into it straight away even though I don't have that much of a home advantage knowing the track; my last time racing here was September last year for the record. Anyway, I ended up 11th on a 1min 39 so that was good.
Friday qualifying in the afternoon saw me all pumped up for it, but I lost out in the last quarter around the Melbourne Loop leaving me about 0.3secs off my ideal time if I'd strung all of my best segments together. The problem around that last section was the feeling mid corner, especially through Goddards. It was very difficult.
Saturday morning was a bit of a silly one. I got too confident and went out with a bit of an attitude that said it was going to be a bit easy. Whoops... That didn't work and I ended up off by 0.5 seconds on my ideal time so that showed me... They all gave me a bit of a hurry up once we'd analysed things! That left me with everything to do in final qualifying. The first run was not that great, but then for the first time this year I got a time together with new tyres.
At the other tracks this year I haven't quite made it all click, but I did this time. I was in a group as the guys have been telling me to do and it worked. Obviously it felt like it was special lap, but it didn't feel like it was a mad lap - but that was 13th on the grid, just off the third row. I did have a fright though as early in the session I flew down the Craner Curves on new tryes and lost the front for miles through that left hander.
Miles I'm telling you! I managed to get it back up with my knee, but it was a big moment!
Sunday morning was wet and horrible, but at least I could have a mini lie-in because we were last out, not first as normal. Well, damp at least... but the confidence came when picking my way through the damp/dry bits to get 11th. Watching the other races beforehand was new for me, but it gave me some good pointers as to where the passing places were from the 250s and MotoGP bikes. That I feel really helped when I was out there in front of the cameras.
The race was dry and really very hot indeed, but you don't notice that when you are out there. The start was about as good as I've had; maybe even equal best. A small mistake at McLeans sent me wide. Looking at the TV replay, I was out of the picture! But I was soon onto the back of a little pack, just tucking in behind them at first, and then picking them off. Ranseder, Zanetti, di Meglio and Cortese, out-braking manoeuvres every one of them.
12th was mine come the flag. Brilliant! Points!
The support was great at Donington. The orange shirts that were printed up were everywhere. It's so flattering to have so many people knowing me and being aware of my progress. My autograph hand is getting better!
A week off now before Germany and then the summer break.
Thank you to all of you who have supported me over the first part of the season.
Brad 38
