Name |
Steve Ackah |
Age |
33 |
Years Racing |
1 (just) |
Team Details |
My wife Louise (Driving, Food and being cold all the time) |
Website |
www.monsta-media.co.uk |
Sponser Details |
Genesis Motorcycles, Bromsgrove, 01527 835936 |
Current Class |
Novice, 600, Open. |
Current Bike |
Honda CBR600RR5 |
Race Number |
274 |
Racing CV |
1st season no points scored. |
First Race |
Pembrey rounds 2 & 3 2007 |
Favorite Tracks |
Donnington, Oulton and Pembrey. Donnington because it’s just so flowing and the drop down through craner curves is just awesome. Oulton because of the elevation changes that you can feel pulling on you and I just find it a really fun track to ride. Pembrey as it was my first race and is quite flowing and rewards high corner speed and late braking which is more a test of skill and nerve rather than outright horse power. |
Worse Tracks |
Darley Moor as there is no run off and I saw a lot of bad accidents and was involved in one myself. It also scared the hell out of me every lap through the chicanes which are so quick. |
Best finish |
12th in a qualifier starting from 26th. |
Worse Finish |
2nd to last. |
Proudest Moments |
Going from 1:18s to 1:07s in one day at Pembrey. |
Lowest Moments |
Returning to Pembrey after crashing and breaking my wrist only to discover the frame was bent after virtually rebuilding the bike just in time for round and I lost the weekends racing and the Thruxton meet two weeks later which I was really looking forward to. But that as they say is racing. |
Why did you start racing |
It’s something I always wanted to do through my love of bikes and had planned to race years before but never had the resources. I think it’s a natural progression from trackdays. |
Explain your Best racing moment |
Probably the qualifier at Pembrey where I managed to over take so many bikes. |
What is your average year’s budget for racing? |
|
What are your Goals with racing? |
Have fun and get better I know I’m not going to set the world on fire with my riding talents. I find it a real buzz and I’m always working towards and looking forward to the next round. Personal goals are as simple as getting your lap times down or finishing higher. |
Have you been injured when racing |
I broke my wrist this year at Pembrey and hit my head pretty hard in Darley moor. |
What would it take for you to consider stopping |
If I really hurt myself badly or stopped enjoying it. |
What spec of bike would you recommend a Novice start with? |
A standard 600 with a can and power commander. |
Have makes of riding gear to you recommend? |
Alpinestar smx+ boots, alpinestar gloves as they are both comfy and strong and are still going strong after two crashes this season. Get a quality helmet the most expensive one you can afford as you’ve only got one head |
What other gear would you say a novice would need |
Tyre warmers and a genny are good but not essential but give that peace of mind and added psychological advantage. |
What are your words of wisdom for starting racing? |
Be realistic! Work out what you can afford to spend on racing and then half it and work to that budget as guaranteed you will end up spending double what you intended to. It’s easily done ! |
What do you wish you had been told when you were starting racing? |
A bit more about tyre wear that it’s not a case of looking at a tyre to see if it’s all right. It may look fine but once on track it used up from heat cycles or aggressive use and there is no grip left. |