Hi everyone,

The newly formed GDR RACING team made their offical debut at the recent NW2OO, and boy what a week we made, baptism of fire!

We arrived at the NW paddock at tea time Saturday and set up camp, in far from ideal position in that we were in very cramped conditions in the back field. The atmosphere in there was great, everyone getting on well and helping each other out in anyway possible.

My first practice on tuesday evening was on the ANSLOW DESIGN ex McADOO 600RR Kawasaki. Within a few laps I was experiencing gear selection problems with the bike, and pulled in after two laps. I wasn't gong to put myself or more importantly my fellows riders in danger. I was staright out on the GDR RACING 250 Honda next and couldn't work out why the bike was slow. It had been rebuilt prior to the NW but I did two laps and pulled in and called it a night.

After a good nights sleep we all woke up refreshed and ready to work on both machines. We disconnected the quick shifter on the Kawasaki, I was convinced this was the cause of the gear selection problems we experienced the night before. We instantly found the problem with the 250, the power had come undone so effectivly it was a 125!

We were ready for Thursday practice and we were confident of a good run on both bikes. Unfortunately within a lap the Kawasaki was no better, so I pulled in and put back in the van. I was gutted for my sponsor Doug Foster of ANSLOW DESIGN, but in racing safety is of paramount importance to everyone concerned. The 250 was flying on my out lap on the run to university. As I exited the roundabout the yellow flags were being waved, I slowed right up and went through the accident at Mather's cross.

Nothing could have prepared the paddock for the tragic news after that evening, at the loss of Robert Dunlop my team would like to offer the their sincere condolences to Roberts family at this time. My good friend Darren Burns sustained serious injuries in the same accident, Again, Darren our thought's and prayers are with you and your family best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Race day the 250s were the first race of the day, my full admiration for William and Michael for lineing up to compete. Who could have written the script for the race, for Michael to win you can't do anything more than take your hat off to that young man big respect Michael, your Dad would be so proud of you. I was put in the second wave, which I wasn't happy at all with had I been Irish I doubt that would have happened but there you go, polictic's call it what you will. Enough said!

The GDR RACING 250 HONDA was going well and I settled into the race and did the best I could for that postion on the grid. I ended the race in 19th which to me wasn't acceptable, we were third fastest throught the speedtrap the bike ran perfect and the Dunlop tyres worked great.

We packed up and made the long trip back home, arriving back at 6am on Sunday morning. We were all exhausted, our team manager Gaynor Firth did a fantastic job job all week and is really enjoying her role very much. Gaynor is working very hard in raising additional sponsorship for GDR RACING. My thanks to Gaynor for all hard work and as lady in racing she is certainly picking up things very quickly.

I've made the decision not to return back to the NW 200 and I'm not going to go over comments that I've already made in previous forum discussions. The privateers don't get treated right there and we have to put up with what's given to us, which in my opinion just is not acceptable.

We are planning to do the Southern 100, Skerries, Bush, Ulster Grand Prix, Aberdare and Scarborough so come see us at those events. The Kawasaki is having a new gearbox fitted in the next week We have tests planned before our next meeting will enable us to address the problems that occured.

So till next time, enjoy the TT and I wish all teams a safe and succesful TT races.
 
Garry.