Three 888's were present on the grid at a jam packed Barber event this past weekend packing something like 70,000 spectators. It could have been four but unfortunately Mark could not make it to the event in time due to unforeseen circumstances. Chris Boy had his beautifully prepared Corsa , Boelo Lussenburg on an equally well prepared 888 sporting a tuned ST4S motor and performance parts. My 888SPO was pretty much a streetbike with recent addition of Marvic wheels, Ohlin forks and billet calipers. In Fridays practice my chain snapped at Museum corner and damaged the left side alternator cover along with the undertray and swingarm loop. I thought my weekend was over as the oil emanating out was significant. I'm not a fan of JB Weld but I am now a convert. It took three applications before heading out to the first race. On the grid was Jamie James and the Dutchman Yamamonster, GSXR750 Limited, another GSXR750, ZX7RR and ZX7R in addition to the 888s. We raced both on Sat and Sun. Unfortunately Chris' fuel pump failed on the start and a narrow escape from the bikes behind him. I was hesitant on every corner looking at my boot to check for oil drops. The Yamamonster and ZX7R retired and after a number of crashes from other classes the red flag gave me a much needed opportunity to check the repair which appeared to hold and it greatly alleviated my stress level! Subsequent other class crashes had us restart the race yet again ending with the remaining two 888's in 3rd and 4th. On the cool down lap both Boelo and I rode alongside each other and the spectators waved. It was an amazing moment for us both I have to admit.
I have started working on my bike for next year. A completely different bike that will be built over the winter with help from MarkT, Marvin and the Motocorse guys in FL. More powerful and lighter as the stock 888 motor really felt underpowered against the competition. But looking back I wouldn't have changed anything except for the chain and the chain guard that has been sitting on my garage bench for the past year lol
