Something is different about The Wing today. Aha, that's it! No cowin' corporate units.
So, how was that race for you?
Good, thanks.
Riders line up for their post-race 'bike noise test whilst olde-fella in the background gets priorities right.
The Wing garages are cavernous - this is only about 25% of them - and, for this meeting, have the wonderful feel of a cross between a second hand 'bike emporium and an auto jumble.
Just about every one of the 300-odd competitors can work on their 'bikes, sit and stare at them, or talk about them, under cover. Given Carol's typically negative weather forecast, that's probably no bad thing (N.B. It didn't rain all day).
Discussing the intricacies of a '90's-era Honda NS 250 with a non-standard swinging arm and whether one should go to Castle Combe for the NGMCC meeting next month.
This rider probably won't but we will. Let's hope he decides to go after all.
The view from The Wing balcony as two riders hurtle up The International Pits Straight.
Different race, different two riders.
These ones are hurtling thru' Vale with their eyes focused on the braking point for Club Corner.
Vicky models her brand new sun glasses.
Two novice riders charge thru' Abbey Corner whilst Vicky sits in the car and has her lunch (David has already scoffed his 'on the hoof').
There is a good entry of classic 'bikes today. This is a Walmsley 500 Matchless. The rider of no. 121, Mike 'Spike' Edwards, in the background.
David getting a headache whilst trying to calculate how many 'bikes and years we've been watching Mr Edwards race, thankfully, out of picture.
Howard and The BEMSEE bus. The closest thing to a corporate unit we see in the paddock all day.
Rossi fan with a sense of humour. Good one.
Ben Burnall of Littlehampton with his Formula 400 Honda RVF400 in the garage and about to go out and race.........
.........and in the thick of the action a few minutes or so later.
Please note the rider on the outside (you can just see him if you look closely) gesticulating at his fellow competitors 'cos he's been pushed wide somewhat.
It's all good fun between friends, eh?
Driven to the outside of the circuit now for a selfie opposite The Wing.
About the 'selfie'. How many of you remember owning a camera in the pre-digital age and trying to take a selfie before there ever was such a thing? And how many of you remember somebody nearby rushing over and saying: 'ooh, would you like me to take your photo?' You'd let 'em take the photo and you'd reciprocate an' all, just to be polite. Sometimes, when they'd buggered off, you'd still take a selfie anyway just for the fun of it.
Strange isn't it, how it has taken the digital age to create a phenomenon that was going on for years under the radar?
Not saying anything, just saying.
First lap action as riders file through Club.
Almost time to head home now but we can't go yet 'cos the Fresh Drop BMZRC 250MZ race is about to get going and we don't wanna miss that.
Mike Stockford has only had to come here from just up the road in Brackley. He's a novice, he's on an MZ 250, he's got a following wind, and he's going like the clappers up the Straight.
And on that brillant note we head off home and the weekly shop at Waitrose in Droitwich.
It's a happy life.
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