Ready, steady...
Published: 20th January 2007
Author: Words by Gordon Crockard
The pride of Ulster's got his '07 ride sorted, sponsorship deals inked and a couple of Christmas dinners inside him - now it's time to go to work
Welcome readers - 2007 is upon us and it's time to get cracking. Diets everywhere, gym membership overload, great efforts to stop smoking etc etc... Yes, everyone's going to have a great year, train harder, practice all winter, get new deals, new bikes, new gear and win everything in sight! Am I right? Well, I for one won't bore you with all the usual 'I'm gonna this' and 'I'm gonna that' rubbish as it's all so predictable and gives you that Groundhog Day feeling.
So quickly moving on... December flew by for me, a quick blink and it was gone. Maybe it's just now that I'm a bit older it seems that way. I celebrated my 28th birthday last month so I guess I'm going to have to act like a grown-up now. Some of the duties I've been carrying out certainly make me feel grown up. I've been having to do a lot of personal sponsorship deals and really sell myself as an opportunity for companies to advertise their businesses - it's been going quite well and now everything is almost in place I can get on with the easy part of the job (that's practising, testing, training, racing).
In the past I've gone to America for pre-season preparations but this year sadly I won't be near the place. I sure am going to miss the excitement of watching the opening SX rounds at Anaheim and San Diego but to be honest it takes a lot of money, time and organising to go Stateside. So instead I'll be doing all my training at home and the weather will determine where I go testing and practising. Just taking it week by week really.
I'm all signed up with PAR Homes Honda and will contest the full MX1 world championship and also the British MX1 championship. I'm going to win them both, you'll see! Only kidding - but I'm not ruling anything out. Paul Rowlands is my boss and he runs an honest race team. I think we'll have a good year and I wish him the best in managing my racing personality. Good luck!
I'm pumped to be having Steve Clitheroe involved with me again. I had the pleasure of working with him in 2003 and he can provide me with everything I ask of the 450 CRF motor. A very switched on guy in the engine tuning department I reckon. KP Racing Services are refining my Showa A Kit suspension for the '07 series - this is a good direction for me as our communication and understanding of what's required is very strong.
We'll be all decked out in Fly clothing which is right up there with the best of them in terms of style, protection and durability. I can't tell you how pleased I am with securing a deal with them. It's cool gear and I feel proud to wear it as I think image is important when you've got to wear the stuff as much as I do. Okay, I'm starting to get boring beyond belief - not that the remainder of this is going to get exciting but a change of topic is needed...
Myself and 16 mates hit the coast of Donegal a few weeks ago. I lit my faithful CR500 two-stroke up and enjoyed two full days on our annual bog-hopping weekend. All great fun apart from one casualty who dislocated and broke his wrist on the first day - heal up quick Steve. Rob Crawford joined us this year and he was a virgin to the whole experience. I was amazed he didn't pick up an injury with some of the dance moves I saw him pull in the disco on the Saturday night. Legendary stuff for a trials rider.
As normal I rode the traditional Boxing Day trial on my 315 Montesa. I've rode better I must admit but, saying that, the last time I was on it was Boxing Day 2005. No crashes or machine damage and a great way to work off the turkey. And I needed to as I ended up having two Christmas dinners as I split the day between my own family and my girlfriend Amy's family. I'm good for that level of eating anyway as anyone who knows me well enough will also know I eat in case I get hungry as opposed to when I'm hungry.
During the holiday period I also took part in the Dromore Rugby Club's Superstars charity fund-raising night with proceeds going to the flying doctors team who are the essential men and women who provide the medical service at all motorcycling events in Northern Ireland. Somewhere in the region of £3000 was raised. An auction after the games saw many items bought for way below their value so next year I'd like to see less short arms and deep pockets. Thank you to all who did purchase and donate - it does make a difference.
As I write this I'm thinking about the next few days ahead. I'm racing in the Dortmund SX in Germany on Friday/Saturday/Sunday. I've never been but it's been going for years and seems pretty organised. This week I've been practising at Northern Ireland's only indoor track - Dirtworks. I'm riding a CRF 450 and hopefully will get my hands on some of those Euros they've put up for grabs. Top prize in a new Toyota car so I've booked a one-way flight just in case! Obviously, I'm joking - but imagine the pressure to win if I did do that. And the long hitch home if I lost.
I'll let you know how I get on next month and until then, if you want to win in '07 keep on with those one-arm press-ups!