Name |
Jarrod Withey |
Age |
21 +VAT |
Years Racing |
2 full seasons |
Team Details |
Team VTRacing, we usually have a decent following at the 'local' circuits, Donnington, Silverstone etc... My Dad (Tony) comes along and helps out in the paddock. There are usually a couple of mates that help/watch the racing also. |
Website |
www.teamvtracing.moonfruit.com |
Sponser Details |
D.W.P - Densit Wear Protection - www.densit.co.uk |
Current Class |
Sound of Thunder |
Current Bike |
Honda VTR SP1 |
Race Number |
31 |
Racing CV |
Sound of Thunder - 2005 - Started my career at Thruxton where I was 'bullied' into racing by a friend and fellow competitor Keith Hooper. I finished 9th in the first in my first race! 2006 - I really wanted to do a full season. I managed it and was only 1 of 3 to score points in all rounds! I managed a 5th in the Champoinship that year and my best finish was 4th (or 5th) and a second place in the Novice Open race. I only competed in a couple of these though as I was concentrating on the SOT and not falling off! 2007 - This season I really wanted to make an impact on '06. I wanted to better myself, better my laptimes and really push the limits of both the bike and myself. I managed it! I finished 4th overall in the SOT championship, 1 better than the '06. I also managed to smash seconds off the '06 laptimes that I was doing. Sometimes upto 4-5 seconds per best lap! I really felt comfortable on the bike, I started to work with the bike and we achieved what goals we set at the start of the year. Even down to changing gearing by 1 tooth seemed to have a positive effect on the bike. Something so little made the bike 10 times better! I really enjoyed '07 season breaking into the 1:02's at Pembrey was a definate bonus! and a 2nd at Cadwell was another highlight! |
First Race |
Thruxton 2005 |
Favorite Tracks |
Cadwell Park (because of the 2nd place finish and Oulton Park for the variety of corners |
Worse Tracks |
Don't really have a worse track... maybe Mallory Park, I would find it kinda boring after a TD there. |
Best finish |
2nd at Cadwell Park, 3rd at Snetterton/Pembrey |
Worse Finish |
12th (I think) from the back of the grid at Brands after taking a trip into the gravel on the first lap! |
Proudest Moments |
Being awarded 2nd at the BSN weekend with the podium and champagne! Also, really proud of my Dad for getting us the award for Machine Preparation voted for by the Scroots! |
Lowest Moments |
Coming off at Honda (Pembrey) after clipping another rider and taking them down too... silly mistake. Luckily I got away with that one! |
Why did you start racing |
Don't know, I was doing trackdays for a couple of years and it's something I looked into after they got a little teadious... Plus I wanted to see how I 'faired' up against racers... |
Explain your Best racing moment |
Sticking the SP1 on Pole at the BSN weekend. I went out for qualifying and forgot to put my transponder on the bike, really annoyed, I came back in after being flagged and went out on a mission.... 1:03.25 |
What is your average year’s budget for racing? |
Doesn't matter... I think if you say £4000 you won't be far away. Entry fees, fuel and then tyres... |
What are your Goals with racing? |
Would like to win SOT championship honestly. I know that is a little arrogant but that is a goal and I am aiming to reach that....hence the cost! |
Have you been injured when racing |
Luckily no... I have some gravel rash on my left shoulder and elbow from the earlier mentioned Honda crash. NEVER BUY CHEAP LEATHERS!!! |
What would it take for you to consider stopping |
a lot! |
What spec of bike would you recommend a Novice start with? |
Standard all the time. You need reliability in this game. You can't get more reliable than that.... Points, points and points is what wins you championships....! |
Have makes of riding gear to you recommend? |
The most expensive you can afford. DON'T buy 5 cheap lids because you can... buy one decent one. |
What other gear would you say a novice would need |
depends on the experience of that said novice. If the novice is good, does trackdays (fast group) and already has the tyre warmers, use them, I always have. A van is good as you can insulate the back of it and sleep in it overnight. Also a good awning, would be good www.party-tent.com do a nice one. Gennys are handy for cups of tea... also a gas stove for your breakfast! |
What are your words of wisdom for starting racing? |
Don't, if you do, enjoy it. It's not worth getting pi$$ed off about it unless you are BSB good. If you do do it, it's absolutely brilliant and TD's are no longer a buzz. There is no other feeling in the world sat on that grid waiting for the lights to go out..... |
What do you wish you had been told when you were starting racing? |
Probably about the cost really. Also no one said it hurt when you come off!! |