DONNINGTON PARK - BRITISH SUPERBIKE GRAND PRIX  7th & 8th JULY 2001

THE ROCKY ROAD CONTINUES…

By Sammy Mack

After the big bang at Builth Wells show in May it took several weeks and several hundred pounds before the Bandit was ready to perform again.  So it was not surprising that I was still running in a new engine at 3am the morning we were due to leave for Donnington raceway.  It was still touch and go wether we would be going as I had not completed the 500 miles I was supposed to, but do I ever do things by the book?

Anyway after much debating we decided 'go for it'.  We set off Friday morning in order to set up camp and get settled for the weekend's shows, or so we thought!  We did not contemplate what lay ahead.  When we arrived we had to wait 2 hours to cross the track to the infield and were greeted with non-English  speaking marshals who did not understand a word of scouse!  So you can imagine the scene and the attempted conversation which unfolded.  Darren finally drove off to find the MAG site before any major conflict arose between the scousers and italians!  He returned to save the day with Gary from MAG who warmly welcomed us and showed us to our camp site.  It was great, but we did not envisage being locked in for the whole weekend as we were!  Donnington became Risley remand centre after 10pm (lockdown and lights out)!   However, we set up site with all the gang and made the most of it, even if Phil did try to escape on several occasions over barbed wire fences resulting in lacerations and abrasions (before he even got on the bike)!

Saturday.  Time to go for the first show or was it?  We were given a radio by Donnington race control who informed us they would call us when we could go out on track.  As Saturday came and went I had still not heard my name  being called on the radio and after continually contacting race control, was wandering if they had heard of the  infamous Sammy Mack at all!  Apparently not, but that was soon to change on the Saturday evening.  An unofficial stunt show took place at tea time due to a large crowd congregating around the track where I was, and a lot of pursuasion to the track security guys who eventually gave the go ahead to perform a quick tyre warming session.  Cheers guys!

However, after being such understanding guys the security lads were called onto track once more that night.  Approximately 1am to be precise.  This time, not to see me performing on the Bandit but to give chase to a Rover 220 (look alike) and a Vauxhall Vectra (you know who you are guys).  After many attempts trying to escape the  infield, they decided to try and find an exit by car and ended up driving around the race track (at least that was their excuse, when their keys were confiscated)!

Sunday.  The day we were due to leave and we still had not performed a show!   MAG were as anxious as I was but it was out of their hands so we all had to sit and wait until the Sunday's races were complete before we could start our show.  So we all jumped on the bandit and scooters and rode off to see the trade stands nearby.  Lucky for me, in the main hall was ART exhaust stand.  It was great meeting one of my sponsors face to face and it was even better when they jumped over the counter and fitted my bandit with a brand new exhaust system ready for my show.  It was like pure thunder when we started it up in the main hall and as all heads turned when they heard the sound of the pipe we knew it was time to perform.  Off we went.

Showtime.  The final race of the day was the classic bikes and then it was down to myself and Kevin Carmichael to entertain.  After a long wait over the weekend the show went off well.  I shot off to the start and finish straight and performed some solo routines to an unknowing crowd and then again several times around at different points on the track.  Meeting up again with Carmichael we put on a great show and stunned the crowds.  This time not blowing up the engine but just the rear tyre.  I finished off my show with my latest party piece originated from Builth Wells, jumping people with my 125 Aprillia scooter.  This time it was 5 (victims) or should I say volunteers, from the crowd.  MAG officials looked on in disbelief as yet again I decided to throw away the rule book!

Another show over without any casualties makes me wonder why I need public liability insurance?  I could just pay for a first aid kit and issue plasters when needed!

But in all seriousness don't try this at home folks, us stunt guys and girls are not right in the head, we practice  long and hard at what we do in order for you, the public, to watch and enjoy in safety.  Hope you all enjoyed the show.

Many thanks to:

Missus and baby Sam
Father
Phil the fearless (& co.)
Darren and Carrie
Rob and Chris
Hazel and Phil

The very understanding security guys at Donnington!

STILL ON THE ROCKY ROAD TO STARDOM !!!

TAKE IT EASY…………….S.A.M.
 

| HOME | | PROFILE | | SPONSORS | | SHOW REVIEWS | | GALLERY | | SCOOTER ANTICS | | VIDEOS | | NEWS | | GUEST BOOK | | CONTACT |

Website Sponsored by Ridernews 2002