Friday: James went out for free practice and although the bike noticeably down on power down the long back straight at Croft, 35 th and 29 th through the speed traps – James was riding well and was 11 th fastest. In the second free practice the bike seemed to run a little better – 23 rd and 19 th through the speed traps and James came back 5 th fastest. But, unfortunately on the last corner another rider went straight on wiping James out completely and crushing two of his fingers.

James went to the medical centre and had to have the top of his little finger sewn back on and then a visit to the hospital confirmed that James’s two fingers on his right hand were broken. Determined to do the first qualifying session, which was late Friday afternoon. James made his dad drive like mad back to the track. Whilst the other 125’s were out qualifying, he rushed to the medical centre were it was confirmed that it was just not meant to be. The doctor was not happy with the swelling and soreness of James’s fingers and would not allow him to ride.

Saturday: Straight out for qualifying, with no warm up – James knew that he had to go for it to get a place on the grid – with the weather a bit iffy and knowing that qualifying was dry on the Friday, he knew it had to be done before the rain came down. At the end of the session James managed to qualify 14 th . Still 20 th through the speed traps and with really sore fingers James was quite pleased with this.

Sunday – With the kind permission of Kevin Newton from UK1 and his brother Danny James was allowed to use Danny’s bike for Race day. With suspension, front forks and back shock taken from James’s bike. Unfortunately warm up did not go too well it was very damp and going around the outside of another rider on sunny in, James caught the white line and slipped off adding to his injuries by ripping his finger nail off on his other hand. The race – you would think that his luck would take a turn, but not with James. Riding round on the warm up lap with a cut slick in the front and a slick in the back – the drizzle was drizzling – James decided last minute that perhaps a wet tyre in the back would be a good idea, thinking the heavens would open. They didn’t! James struggled most of the way through the race to stay on a bike that was all over the place through the wrong tyres choice. As usual the weather not doing what you would want it to do didn’t. James ended up sensibly pulling in and saving any more fingers or anything else from being damaged. His determination and courage kept him out there for 12 laps until he knew it just wasn’t going to happen and he would rather save the rest of his skin! One day James your luck will change – lets hope it’s soon!!!!

James would like to thank Kevin Newton and the UK1 Team for all their help, and of course his brother, Danny.