Andy

I really can't understand for a moment why entries to this competition are coming in far faster than they've ever done for any other competition I've run

You think that's bad? -----Original Message----- From: James Percival [mailto:JLHPERCIVAL@xxxxxxxxx.freeserve.co.uk] Sent: 12 June 2007 21:27 To: Andy Subject: RE: Hawkstone Honeys Are there no sheep up as entries?

It is a bit FHM'ish, but too often I think the sport is stuck in the past. I've not seen anybody complain - yet

Well get your entry in! From the entries so far Lisa needs to book the day in her diary...

...and never look at the front page, I'd strongly ( ) suggest you don't miss this article

I think this gets topic of the month award - if not year!

FIM MX1 / MX2 World Motocross Championship Round 7 of 15 - Sunday June 10th 2007 Grand Prix of French, St Jean d'Angely Crowd: 28,000 (weekend figure) Weather: Saturday - Sunshine, very hot, temperature 29C Sunday - Cloudy, sunny spells, temperature 26C A humid and action-packed Grand Prix of France at the St Jean d'Angely circuit was won by Josh Coppins from Steve Ramon and David Philippaerts this afternoon in front of a 28,000 crowd. CAS Honda's Mike Brown finished eighth overall. The St Jean venue, that had not seen a World Championship event for two years, offered a very fast and hard-pack surface with the shortest lap of the season. The pace was furiously quick and there were precious few ruts or technical sections to test the riders contesting both categories. The emphasis on outright speed meant that Timed Practice on Saturday separated the fastest twenty riders by just two seconds. Starts were crucial for the 35 minutes plus two-laps Grand Prix motos. Brown made a typically positive getaway in the first race and was holding second position behind Josh Coppins before needing to ease his way into a rhythm. He lapped within the top five but finally slipped back to seventh spot. The American had put himself under pressure to at least repeat his podium from Japan. He was a little less proactive in the second moto

Catalan Grand Prix at Montmelo Sunday June 10, 2007 Weather: Sunny. Temperature: 30 degrees. Crowd figure: 112,600 race day. 201,000 weekend. Fighting third keeps Dani Pedrosa in championship hunt An intense MotoGP race fought out over 25-laps of Montmelo went to Casey Stoner (Ducati) who held off a fierce challenge from Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) who finished second with valiant local idol Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda RC212V) a close third. A crowd of 112,000 race fans witnessed one of the best battles in recent premier class history as the three main contenders for World Championship honours pulled clear of the field to contest a three-way dice for what may prove to be one of the more significant races of what is already a tense season. With the track at a heady 43 degrees and ambient temperature nudging 31 degrees, the lights went out and Dani made it to turn one at the head of the field. The first lap passed without any of the multiple crash drama that marred last year

Full results on front page

HONDA RACING INFORMATION Results Senior TT, Friday 8th June 2007 Total No. of Completed Laps

Isle of Man Centenary TT Festival. Senior TT June 8, 2007. Weather: Sunny. Temperature: 22 degrees. Crowd: 50,000. John McGuinness and Honda Fireblade complete magic double with Senior TT victory John McGuinness provided a scorching climax to the Isle of Man Centenary TT Festival as he won the prestigious Senior race at record breaking pace for Honda as the Japanese marque repeated their 1-2-3 finish of the opening Superbike race. Riding the HM Plant liveried Honda Fireblade McGuinness was 30 plus seconds ahead of Hydrex Honda rider Guy Martin at the finish with Ian Hutchinson third for HM Plant Honda. Lancastrian McGuinness had ridden brilliantly around the 37.73 mile Mountain Course, setting a furious pace from the off as he blasted his HM Plant Honda into the opening lap, increasing his own outright record in the process, although there was better to come from him with an astonishing second lap at an average speed of 130.354mph. Making that all the more incredible was that McGuinness had to ease off somewhat, as he slowed down to pit, and take on fuel and have a rear wheel change. He was running rampant, rejoining the action and increasing his lead, mile by mile, as he shrugged aside the challenge of Guy Martin with Ian Hutchinson running a, by now, distant third. McGuinness confirmed his mastery of the Mountain, opening up his advantage mile by mile on his high-speed dash around the Island, to take the victory by 32.73 seconds from Martin who had been slowed a little in the final third by the drive chain jumping on the sprocket. "Absolutely unbelievable. To beat the 130mph mark is just fantastic. It's just amazing. The bike was perfect throughout and I gave it everything all of the way. I was trying really hard, and I had a great team around me, and they delivered the goods with the pit-stops," enthused McGuinness who had won, and elevated the outright record a century from the pioneering first Senior race victory taken by Charlie Collier at a more leisurely 38.22mph. "People say to me, you've got the best bike, but you have still got to ride it and get the best out of it. I really enjoyed the race and I am so proud to have won this special race. It's been great. The Superbike race win meant a lot, this one even more," add the race winner. "When I was an apprentice bricklayer I never thought that I would be racing here, let alone being here to win 13 races. It is just an incredible feeling - the job's a good one." McGuinness however is considering his future in the event. "I might just hang up my leathers - I've got the same feeling that I had last year after winning these two races. What else do I have to prove? "I've been coming here eleven times but enjoy riding the course. We'll just have to see but I am thinking about not coming back - I've ridden my heart out all week, finishing in the top three in all races." He had capped a remarkable week, in which he had also taken second placings in both the Supersport and Superstock events. Martin, a distant second, vowed for better things next year, as he finished well clear of Hutchinson, aboard the second HM Plant Honda and Stobart Honda rider Ian Lougher. Martin said: "I learned a lot from the first race this week and I was able to hold my own. On the fourth lap the chain was jumping the sprocket a little and I thought it would be better when I changed wheels at the end of the lap. Unfortunately the chain had stretched too much. After that I concentrated on getting my braking points and gear changes correct. Anyway its been a good week and I have to thank my team for that. I'm probably not ready to win a TT yet. I have a great respect for John McGuinness and for my team." Ian Hutchinson completed a successful TT with another fine podium place in the Senior race. He said: "I'm pleased to have finished on the podium in every race. I've struggled a bit with the Superbike I'd like to thank Honda and the team for giving me the opportunity to race some special bikes and it's great we achieved another Honda 1-2-3. I am very pleased to have been part of this Centenary TT festival." Adrian Archibald finished fifth giving the Relentless Suzuki team some reward, as their other rider Bruce Anstey had pitted after the first lap complaining of handling problems. Local rider Conor Cummins, riding Yamaha, took sixth place, ahead of top newcomer Steve Plater. Michael Rutter, Ian Armstrong and James McBride completed the top ten. The race was marred by an incident on the final lap at Joeys, on the Mountain section in which a rider and two other people received fatal injuries. The race organisers will not provide any other details until all next of kin have been informed. NB: Official results to follow

It has not been forgotten or neglected As I said above, it's unwise to show your hand to the enemy on a public forum... Topic closed for that reason.

Not strictly true. Sometimes it's unwise to show your hand to the enemy on a public forum...

You'd need to make sure it was another Geordie at the other end though or they'd never understand you

HONDA RACING INFORMATION Catalan Grand Prix at Montmelo 8, 9 and 10 June 2007 DANI AIMING HIGH AT HOME AFTER SECOND IN ITALY The MotoGP circus hits Catalonia this weekend and riders will be hoping there is no repeat of the turn one incident last year that not only caused race havoc, but also compromised the seasons of two World Championship contenders. And Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda RC212V) was one of those affected. The 21-year-old Spanish star knows his hopes for a first race win of the season are more than realistic here. The disappointment of 2006, when he was involved in the initial mel

HONDA RACING INFORMATION Isle of Man Centenary TT Festival. Supersport TT and Sidecar B TT. June 6, 2007. Weather: Sunny. Temperature: 22 degrees. Crowd: 50,000. Ian Hutchison takes maiden TT victory as Honda sweep podium places in dramatic Junior TT Molyneux and Long compete Sidecar TT double victory. Ian Hutchinson scorched to an emotional first Isle of Man TT victory at race record pace aboard the HM Plant backed Honda CBR600RR. John McGuinness and Guy Martin completed a Honda 1-2-3 in the Centenary Supersport TT race. The determined Yorkshire rider, Hutchinson, took charge of the four lap race after a traumatic mid-race pit-stop by Bruce Anstey. He had forged clear, but then struggled to fire up his Suzuki after the mid race stop to refuel. It was a traumatic time for the popular Kiwi, as he lost vital seconds and was left playing catch-up. Hutchinson, having no worries after his rapid pit-stop, fully exploited the problems of his rival to take charge. Hutchinson was finally able to dispel the bitter disappointment of his exclusion from the corresponding race of last year when his hard ride into second place came to nothing as a minor breach of the technical regulations, of which the rider knew nothing, was discovered at scrutineering.

HONDA RACING INFORMATION SUPERSTOCK TT RACE RESULTS 1 Bruce Anstey Suzuki 1hr 11m 56.29s. 2 John McGuinness HM Plant Honda 1:12:36.59 3 Ian Hutchinson HM Plant Honda 1:12:58.91 4 Martin Finnegan MV Agusta 1:13:18.61 5 Conor Cummins Yamaha 1:14:00.26 6 Mark Parett Yamaha 1:14:03.65 7 James McBride Yamaha 1:14:21.17 8 Ian Pattison Suzuki 1:14:24.54 9 Gary Carswell Suzuki 1:14:51.91 10 Dan Stewart 1:14:53.3

As the Cota Kid obviously got his info from a certain Mr. Miller for this blatant p***-taking, could the aforementioned Cota Kid ask the aforementioned Mr. Miller where his passport is right now? I hear it is somewhat damp! What goes around, comes around

HONDA RACING INFORMATION Isle of Man Centenary TT Festival. Superstock TT. June 5, 2007. Weather: Sunny. Crowd: 50,000. Anstey takes Superstock TT

HONDA RACING INFORMATION Isle of Man Centenary TT Festival. Superbike TT and Sidecar 'A' TT. June 4, 2007. Weather: Overcast morning, sunny afternoon. Crowd: 50,000. Six of the best for Honda on first day of Centenary TT John McGuinness secured a place for himself and Honda in the Isle of Man TT record books as he won the delayed opening race in the Centenary Festival, the six lap Superbike race - it was the Lancastrian's twelfth victory while for Honda it was win number 131 on the Island. Riding the HM Plant Honda CBR1000RR, the 34 year old Morecambe rider was always in control of the race despite his early anxieties about damp patches on parts of the 37.73 mile Mountain Course that had twice had hour long delays before the action, originally scheduled for Saturday finally began. For Honda, it was total domination as their riders packed the top six finishing positions but it was McGuinness who took pride of place as he won the race at a record speed of 125.550mph, also upping the Superbike lap record to 128.279mph on the second lap. McGuinness set the early pace, despite a scary moment or two on the opening lap as his Fireblade stepped out of line in the damp, but by then he was running two seconds ahead of the determined Guy Martin, aboard the Hydrex backed Fireblade with Ian Hutchinson on the second HM Plant machine running third. The leader used his tried and tested method of trying to break the opposition on that opening lap: "It has worked well before, so why not again. I got my head down and went for it, riding as hard as I could, though being a bit careful in the damp bits. I had a few moments on the first lap including a big slide at the thirteenth milestone when the back end of the bike came round on me, but I kept it going." Said the elated McGuinness. He was in charge, running ten seconds clear after two laps, and with his team slick and well drilled, he gained more time over Martin as they both pitted for fuel and to change the rear wheel. Going into the third lap McGuinness was 17-seconds ahead and pulling further clear and had increased his advantage by a further nine seconds after four laps. Martin was not giving up, and was riding hard, but McGuinness maintained his lead and going into the final lap, he was 28.9seconds clear at Glen Helen, maintaining that into Ramsey and then easing back slightly over Snaefell to take the victory by 25.94secs. "It's unbelievable," said an emotional McGuinness. "I'm not getting any younger and they made me work for this one. I'd trained hard all winter to be ready for them and it is well worth it all. I had to ride really hard and gave it everything. In places it was a bit damp, and they are not really my conditions, but here we are and enjoying it." "To win this race is a tremendous feeling. It will go do in the history books as the first win in the Centenary event and that means an awful lot for me and for Honda, this victory is a testament to their preparation." McGuinness, who now lies third in the list of all time winners, adrift of Joey Dunlop (26) and Mike Hailwood (14), was given a tremendous reception by the 50,000, now sun-drenched, spectators "I've never seen so many. Seeing them all there waving to my on that last lap left me feeling really emotional. Winning is always special, this one is even more so. I'm just glad that I could put on such a show for them and give them the victory," said the victorious Englishman. Martin gave his all and took a worthy second place, his best finish on the TT, with Hutchinson a solid third and running some 19 seconds ahead of Martin Finnegan aboard the Alpha Boiler Honda CBR1000RR. Ian Lougher, riding a similar bike in Stobart Colours was fifth from Ryan Farquhar on the Mark Johns Motors backed Fireblade. Guy Martin said of his race: 'I'm not here to make the numbers up and wanted to win but happy enough with second. Looking back I didn't push hard enough on the first lap - I've got a lot to learn but Friday's Senior race is the one to win. You're nobody till you've won a six lapper. John is the man around here, and he had the better pit stops." Adrian Archibald, riding Suzuki; local rider Conor Cummins, Ian Armstrong and the TT debut making Steve Plater, all aboard Yamahas, completed the top ten. Dave Molyneux, returning to the TT after a big crash in practice for last year's event, became the second twelve times winner as he and Rick Long charged through from fourth on the opening lap to win the three lap sidecar race by some 6.5 seconds aboard their HM Plant Honda powered outfit. Molyneux: It's a weird feeling to take the win - I rode my heart out and have never been so committed as I was into the corners here during that race. I was determined after the crash of last year, but had problems through practice and expected Nick Crowe to have the race in the bag. This was the most unexpected win in my career." John Holden and Andrew Winkle, LCR Suzuki, led for much of the race, after the demise of last year's double winner Nick Crowe on the opening lap because of a gearbox problem. Molyneux was running second going into the final lap and grabbed the initiative on the dash into Ramsey, increasing his advantage over Holden over the Mountain section. Steve Norbury and Scott Parnell were third on their Shelbourne Yamaha. Results Superbike TT, Monday 4th June 2007. No / Rider / Bike / Entrant / Time / Speed (Mph) 1 / John McGuinness / 2007 Honda Fireblade 1000cc / H M Plant Honda / 01 48 11.17 / 125.55 2 / Guy Martin / 2007 Honda 1000cc / Hydrex Honda / 01 48 37.11 / 125.051 3 / Ian Hutchinson / 2007 Honda CBR 1000cc / H M Plant Honda / 01 49 17.33 / 124.284 4 / Martin Finnegan / 2007 Honda CBR 1000cc / Alpha Boilers Racing / 01 49 35.71 / 123.936 5 / Ian Lougher / 2007 Honda CBR 1000cc / Stobart Motorsport / 01 50 34.23 / 122.843 6 / Ryan Farquhar / 2007 Honda Fireblade 1000cc / Mark Johns Motor / 01 50 54.77 / 122.464 7 / Adrian Archibald / 2007 Suzuki GSXR 1000cc / Relentless by TAS / 01 51 27.25 / 121.869 8 / Conor Cummins / 2007 Yamaha YZF R1 1000cc / Team Millsport / 01 52 19.00 / 120.933 9 / Ian Armstrong / 2004 Yamaha R1 1000cc / Canteen Smithy / 01 53 07.65 / 120.066 10 / Steve Plater* / 2007 Yamaha R1 1000cc / AIM Racing / 01 53 30.84 / 119.657 11 / John Barton / 2006 Honda CBR 1000cc / Marks Bloom Racing / 01 53 49.94 / 119.323 12 / Dan Stewart / 2006 Yamaha R1 1000cc / Wilcock Consulting / 01 54 06.19 / 119.04 13 / Chris Palmer / 2005 Yamaha R1 1000cc / Solway Slate & Tile / 01 54 13.34 / 118.915 14 / Davy Morgan / 2005 Honda 1000cc / Investasure / 01 54 23.65 / 118.737 15 / Gary Carswell / 2007 Kawasaki ZX10R 1000cc / Bolliger Kawasaki / 01 54 33.53 / 118.566 16 / Ian Pattinson / 2006 Suzuki GSXR 1000cc / Martin Bullock Racing / 01 54 34.06 / 118.557 17 / James McBride / 2007 Yamaha R1 1000cc / 01 54 34.61 / 118.548 Fastest Lap - Lap 3 John McGuinness 17 mins 38.85 secs 128.279 mph

I seem to recall you mentioning going to Hawkstone. According to the official website, it says: "Adding extra weight to Saturday and new for 2007 will be public test sessions, with all the manufacturers pledging their support to supply bikes and personnel so visitors can actually ride the latest models - more details regarding this unique opportunity will be released over the coming months." Might be best to hold off till then and have a try on them all and see what feels best for you.

Italian Grand Prix at Mugello Sunday June 3, 2007 Crowd figures: race day 85,000, weekend total 128,000. Weather: Morning overcast, afternoon sunny. Temperature: 24 degrees. DANI PEDROSA RIDES HARD FOR SECOND AS ROSSI WINS IN ITALY What promised to be a barnstormer of a MotoGP race in the earlier stages of this 23-lap race proved to be ultimately less tight than imagined as Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) led Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda RC212V) to the flag with Alex Barros (Ducati) third. With a capacity crowd of 85,000 enjoying sunshine after rain threatened to appear but held off, the field left the line in a blur of noise and colour to begin one of the more celebrated events on the 18-race calendar. Casey Stoner (Ducati) led from pole position into turn one with Chris Vermeulen (Suzuki) on his tail and Alex Barros in the mix with Stoner

HONDA RACING INFORMATION Italian Grand Prix at Mugello Saturday June 2, 2007 WET WEATHER PLAYS HAVOC WITH QUALIFYING IN ITALY The MotoGP grid was almost washed out here at a sopping wet Mugello, but in semi-wet and then tough, slippery conditions it was Casey Stoner (Ducati) who took his first pole position of the season, with Chris Vermeulen (Suzuki) qualifying second fastest and Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) completing the front row. As the hour long MotoGP qualifying session got underway the track was still damp after a thorough downpour earlier and riders emerged on wet tyres to cope with the soaking track. The early pacesetters were Stoner, Vermeulen and home rider Marco Melandri (Gresini Honda RC212V). The track began to dry as the sun emerged, then halfway through the hour the heavens opened again to further compromise grip levels at this tricky 5.254km track. With water cascading across the difficult cambers of this roller-coaster circuit, staying on was as hard as setting a lap time decent enough for the front row. And Stoner was the only man to dip below the two-minute mark today. The Australian was in command on his Ducati and his time of 2m 00.359s is more than a full second quicker than Vermeulen

Interesting little story (quite possibly an exclusive) here I have my own thoughts on this, but let's see what others think...