On the go again - Ducati Desmosedici News

IT'S been a long cold winter away from the racetracks, with only my dirtbike and mud to keep me entertained. Just what the doctor ordered to recover from the agony and the ecstasy of 2007's Ducati DesmoDue championship.

Yep, it's fair to say my first ever year of club racing was the most insane thing I've ever done. The end of every round saw me either high as a kite or low as a nuclear bunker, with nothing in between.

To recap, in 2007 I went road racing for the first time ever. During the season I racked up several trophies and a decent scar, led a race for eight laps, smashed many lap and race records and even got one 'Man of the Meeting' (yes, really...).

Despite missing rounds through crashes and injury, I still managed to finish the championship in the top ten. I am the first (and only) girl to ever get on the podium or lead a race in DesmoDue. And I haven't even lost my orange novice bib yet.

Did all that REALLY happen? It certainly did. Every morning I wake up to a row of trophies in my new glass cabinet, my post-Assen collarbone's still plated (you can see the screws through the skin), and it's taken up until now to get Betty the racebike Ducati 600SS-shaped again after my crash-tastic final round at Cadwell Park (so that was no bad dream then). Yes, Betty's back in one piece - lighter, faster and for the first time in a long time, completely gaffa-tape free.

We're competing in the 2008 DesmoDue championship - a one-make series with two classes running separate grids. Class A is for 620cc Ducatis, Class B is for 583cc Ducatis.

This means riders are racing either Monster 620s or 583s, or the old 620SS or 600ss. I'm in Class B, racing a 1995 Ducati 600SS bought as a wreck off eBay and glammed up for the racetracks, against 40-ish other Class B entrants.

I opted for a 600SS last year after a chat with Ducati specialists Baines Racing. It's the best bike for the job; unlike the naked Monster, the SS lets you tuck under the fairing for best aerodynamics, and it's the lightest model of the bunch. The series was devised as a cheap way to go racing, so limited changes are allowed and a good power-to-weight ratio is the way forward. Of course, it helps that the rider (me!) weighs a mere eight-and-a-half stone. And I'm making the most of this advantage

But this year things are different. I've learned valuable lessons in race craft and limits of woman and machine. I intend using this experience to crash less and maybe even win races - and ultimately end up with a much higher ranking in the championship. Best of all, my racing hero and mentor Ian Cobby who looked after me in 2007 is now entering the championship as my team mate, but in Class A (phew) on a Ducati 620SS. Go Cobby!

Betty is now fully developed and the best bike on the Class B grid. We're running Maxton suspension, Venhill's quick action throttle and MHP's rearsets and twin exhausts.

The regulations are designed to keep things cheap so no engine tuning's allowed, although a worn rear piston ring means the engine has been re-built by Moto Legends' Amazing Al. A Dynojet kit and airfilter have sorted the fuelling, and the chassis has been overhauled with lighter parts to slash weight. Isle of Man TT legend Bill Simpson is building a bespoke aluminium tank for Betty. Pirelli's brilliant Diablo control tyres are a must come rain or shine and tyre warmers are banned.

Going to watch the club racing makes for a great day out. It costs around £12 on the gate, and you get to mill around in the paddocks, speak to the racers and watch some very close racing that'll keep you on the edge of your seat. The atmosphere is electric.

Of course, if you're bored with track days and want to take things to the next level, then why not enter a club race? Anyone can do it, and there's a wealth of clubs and series to choose from. All you need to do is decide which championship to enter, join the club, get the bike, prep it, apply for your ACU licence, and you're ready to race. For more information, check out www.acu.org.uk.

Here's the complete calender for the UK's DesmoDue championship that I'm competing in this season - including a big international round at Assen in Holland. If you fancy coming along to watch, come and find us in the pits and Betty and I will get the kettle on!

2008 New Era Ducati DesmoDue calendar

April 26, Oulton Park (Cheshire)

May 23-25, Assen (Holland)

June 14-15, Pembrey (South Wales)

July 5-6, Brands Hatch (Kent)

August 9, Donington Park (Northamptonshire)

September 20-21, Snetterton (Norfolk)

October 4-5, Cadwell Park (Lincolnshire)