Race One, however, didn’t provide the best of starts to the 2020 season and his trusty engineer Barry’s assessment of the next two minutes, which he delivered in his usual cool and unassuming dry tone, went along the lines of “that didn’t go to plan”, summed it up perfectly. 

After a good start, which saw Mick hold his midfield position, entering lap 2, a combination of cool tyres and a front suspension issue, resulted in him losing the front end going into Paddock Hill Bend, which he slid the full length of, before impacting with the expansive gravel trap.

Mick isn’t the first to be caught out by the famous downhill right bend and I’m sure he won’t be last.

Mick, having been lucky to avoid serious injury in the crash was, however, unlucky with the damage to the bike and was unable to repair it to compete in the three following races over the weekend, as a result registering nil points. 

With his body and pride battered and bruised, Mick was able to reflect on what might have been, whilst he watched those he’d hoped he would be competing against, gain valuable early season points. A very frustrating weekend!!

It was a long journey home from Kent in his trusty Ford Transit that doubles as bed and breakfast accommodation on racing weekends, but it gave him the opportunity to reflect on just how lucky he had been to incur what were largely flesh wounds.

To add insult to injury the journey was even longer, requiring him to take the bike to his trusty “spanner man / engineer”, Barry, who is based near York, to carry out essential repairs and any necessary adjustments to the bike.

Mick’s story, which will undoubtedly get better, and is not that uncommon in “grass roots” motorsport, will be continued with his next Bemsee outing on April 4th / 5th (Round 2) on the Silverstone International Circuit, and it is intended :DEEGEE: Motorsport Photography, Coronavirus permitting, will be there to cover both the meeting, and his progress.