Andy Hayes

Name	Andy Hayes
Age	36
Years Racing	1.5
Team Details	MLF Racing, supported by wife (Wendy) and 3 daughters (Selina – 12, Zoë – 2 and Imogen – 1)
Website	n/a
Sponser Details	n/a
Current Class	Streetstock 700 and Open 600
Current Bike	2006 Yamaha R6
Race Number	53
Racing CV	2006 – Kawasaki ZX6R (2002) 100bhp Streetstock 700 – Finished 17th Open 600 – 0 Pts Open Newcomers – Finished 11th or something like that 2007 – Yamaha R6 (2006) 120bhp Streetstock 700 – Finished 2nd Open 600 – Finished 10th Open Newcomers – Finished 3rd
First Race	Cadwell May 2006
Favorite Tracks	I should say Pembrey as both of my wins have come there, and whilst I like it a lot, I like Cadwell as it is my home track being a Yorkshireman.
Worse Tracks	Thruxton – Because I learnt it in the wet and did rubbish there. Silverstone national is a close second worst as I just don’t enjoy the track at all and thinks it’s boring.
Best finish	Won at Pembrey with a badly hurt ankle whilst 6 seconds behind the leader at the halfway stage in the race.
Worse Finish	Losing Open Newcomers championship by getting stuck behind a back marker with just one corner left to go.
Proudest Moments	Winning first race in Streetstock 700 race at Pembrey
Lowest Moments	See above re losing Newcomer Championship

Why did you start racing	I used to do Enduro because it is safer and cheaper, but I always suffered in bad weather as I couldn’t touch the floor when the going got slippy, so I switched to road racing where being slighter closer to the ground is if anything an advantage. Now I just have to lose 3 stone, which I suppose is more feasible than growing another 6 inches!!
Explain your Best racing moment	Passing Stuart Holloway going into Paddock Hill Bend after banging fairings with him all the way down the Brands Hatch start/finish straight
What is your average year’s budget for racing?	£5k not including bike, equipment or crashing
What are your Goals with racing?	Firstly, have fun, secondly try to win something, thirdly, get to work on Monday morning.
Have you been injured when racing	Not racing, but whilst practicing on a trackday I broke 3 ribs, collarbone, collapsed a lung and dislodged my heart.
What would it take for you to consider stopping	Serious injury or financial hardship, or a feeling that I have achieved all that I can.
What spec of bike would you recommend a Novice start with?	Something like a pretty standard 2 or 3 year old 600cc bike in good condition.
Have makes of riding gear to you recommend?	T-Pro forcefield body armour – can’t recommend it enough, it has definitely saved me a back injury. Arai Helmets – Do great racer discounts, but then so do Shoei, so go with personal preference. Crowtree leathers – Very tough and well made for a reasonable price. Forget all the posey Alpinestars etc. off the peg stuff, it’s for posers.
What other gear would you say a novice would need	I wouldn’t worry too much about genny and tyre warmers straight away, just pick them up cheap second hand when they can. Spare wheels with wet tyres on are far more important.
What are your words of wisdom for starting racing?	Do at least once to say you have, but remember that it will cost a fortune and it is not without it’s dangers, but most people that try it seem to love it.
What do you wish you had been told when you were starting racing?	To just ride something cheap you don’t mind crashing too much when you start, and then when you get better, buy a well sorted, good condition used race bike with all the money already spent on it.