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rhondda-motorclub@sky.com

ROBERT JAMES

My name is Robert James and I have been a member of the RHONDDA MOTOR CLUB since 1993 and currently own a HONDA VFR 750FT and I have done many club runs with them up until last year.
I then decided that I wanted a change, so I thought I would like to try MOTOCROSS before I got to old.
I also had a HONDA XR400 for three years but due to legislation it meant that I could not go where I wanted to when I wanted to, so I purchased a second hand YAMAHA YZ250, and on March 19th 2006 in CIMLA (NEATH) I lined up with the rest of the Sportsman Class for the 2006 season with the East South Wales MX club wondering what the hell I had let myself in for!! (and making sure I had a clean pair of pants for later). At 38 years young I was one of the oldest in my class and many of the youngsters had been racing since they were kids.
At the end of my first season for Abergavenny Club I came home 3rd in one of the Mini-Series (overall after 3 rounds) and after completing 11 rounds of a possible 12 I had an overall position of 7th.
This Winter I raced with Blackrock MX club. Their Winter championship consists of 6 rounds and I finnished overall 3rd.
Throughout the Summer and Winter Season I have raced in Brynmawr, Blackwood, Hendre, Cimla, Pontrilas, Talsarn, Merthyr and Llanharan.

2007 SEASON

April 15th. Abergavenny MX club, round 2, Brynmawr, Club Championship.

Positions:- 4th, 6th, 6th. Overall 6th.
The day started in excellent conditions for racing, not to warm and dry. As the day wore on it became hotter, this made the day necessarily longer because the water bowser had to go around the circuit every three races in order to keep the dust to a minimum, not that I am complaining as Brynmawr is usually wet, windy and very very cold.
I was very pleased with my possition at the start of the championship.


April 22nd.Blackrock MX club, round 2, Hendre, Club Championship.

Positions:- 6th, 5th, 3rd. Overall 4th.

Hendre is a fast and very technical circuit. Once again the weather was excellent to start but warmed up later on.
The bowser had to go out every three races as the riders nor the marshals could see the circuit properly.
I thoroughly enjoyed the days racing and very happy with my results.


April 28th/29th. East Wales MX club, rounds 1 and 2, Talsarn, Welsh Championship Round.

Positions:- 1st day, 7th, 8th and 6th. 2nd day, 9th, 10th and 5th.
Overall position 7th.

This was the first two rounds of the Welsh Championships and as such an extremely demanding circuit was needed.
The CR250 was awsome pulling up a long, steep hill, flat out in 4th passing some other bikes, it was great fun. On the second day I was in 9th place in the first race and I was very happy with the fifth place in the last race but during the second race I came off on a bend (hence 10th place) but thank goodness I was riding the two stroke because it started first kick! unlike the the four strokes which take a hell lot of kicking to start them when stopped when they are warm, sometimes the rider has to retire because the bike will not start.

6th - 7th May 2007 - Abergavenny Club Championships Merthyr.
This is the first race of a two day, six race meeting which didn't start too well because the bike "CR250" didn't feel as stable as usual, but I managed a sixth place, when I returned to the paddock I discovered that the rear shock was leaking quite badly. Without the parts how would I continue?….well would you believe it, a friendly competitor "Mike Fear" offered me the use of his spare bike which was a Suzuki RMZ 450 ex works bike. WOW this bike was awesome it soaked up the jumps and had loads of grunt. I had great fun and managed a fourth overall for the two days thanks to my new friend.
June and July - racing in Hereford and Monmouth the weather was not so good but I still had all my results inside the top ten.
In Rhayader, the Welsh Championship round it rained at every race and at times the track was nearly impassable, it was difficult to stay on the bike and it was so heavy because of the amount of mud it kept picking up. I finished every race in the top ten and had an overall sixth for the day. August - Pontrilas great close racing, I had a fab day fourth overall but the full weekend was cancelled at the last minute because the track was so water logged from heavy rain during the late afternoon, bikes were getting stuck all over the track.
In Hendre it was a very fast day because the track was perfect it was a good turnout with 32 on the start line and I had a fourth overall. September/October - These two months were an awesome set of races including Brynmawr, Hendre, Merthyr and Talsarn excellent racing and I finished all inside the top ten results and even managed a second in Brynmawr.
I realise now how important the starts are and to relax into a steady pace during the race in order to avoid arm pump.
Well here we are at the end of the 2007 motocross season after 21 race meetings with three different clubs its been great, and I have had a few good results with 11 top 5 finishes and 41 top 10 finishes and best of all no DNF's (did not finish).
With Blackrock MX in Brynmawr 2/09/07 was my most memorable race; after leading for 7 laps, this was it, keep it up, steady pace, but unfortunately I was passed on the very last lap by that damn KTM!!! But it was great to lead the race until then but I am sure I will get that number one spot next season.
Overall I came first in the Blackrock summer championships I am not sure yet how I have done in the Welsh Championships as all riders drop their worst meeting and race results will not be available until the presentation evening. It's not so easy to work out my position but I think I am in the top 4!!! All will be revealed on December 8th East Wales Presentation Welsh championships Results.
I have just bought a CRF 450 and I'm hoping to get a chance to ride an enduro competition before the year ends and race it next year. I would like to thank Philipa for being my marshal in the bad weather and all her help and support. Mike Bailey tire changer extraordinaire, Barry Trembath for his help and advice….oh yeah and for some info on the bike to, René Medcraft and Wayne Bowen for advice on racing and bike maintenance.