The ASBK weekend also had a personal twist too with an unexpected but very welcome pillion ride with former ASBK, FIM WEC, Champion, WSBK and 500cc rider Steve Martin.

It was an awkward confession when I said that i had never been on a bike – but jump in at the deep end yes?

Plus I had been been in a Porsche and a Lotus, so how different could a bike be?

I never feared injury, I just feared doing something foolish and causing Steve to crash.  Could you imagine the embarrassment?

I guess the first major difference was that the leathers were tight…in fact I was at the height limit for the pillion ride so the biggest set of leathers were just big enough.

Also I had to have a mini medical.  Check.  Good to know my blood pressure and heart rate were on the healthy side.

I also had to share leathers with another pillion rider, so – that was fun.  But the adrenalin and the threat of ‘do it fast or you may lose your position’ was key in my mind.

By the time I got to the bike, Steve had been told (thanks dad – who was helping out the Czaj Racing team) that no holds should be barred…

And Steve made sure he went flat out.

The speed was incredible – the acceleration is like nothing you’ve felt.  The breaking, like the cars was incredible – what was different this time was that there were no seatbelts to hold you, no roll cage so rescue you if things went wrong.

This time there was Steve and your own strength to brace yourself against.  We got up close and personal.  It was also about that time -the first corner that I became aware of my feet and hoped to hell my feet didn’t fall off the pegs.  The good thing was I was so squished on the bike that it wasn’t a real option.

The cornering was a blast – it was one of those times that you realise that if you wanted you could touch the wall, the tarmac. I allowed my body to do the same as Steve’s, feeling like a true racer as I lent into the corners – I resisted the real urge to put the knee our, as I positioned myself to see the apex, the straight.

I guess it is an indication of my generation and the time that I lived that I was stuck by the clarity, by how things happened.  That I could see exactly what was happening. I’d focus on where I’d be riding, on the road, on the corners.  It was incredible. The clarity on the ride – of sight and mind, was incredible.

The ride was soon over – just a couple of laps. It was enough to whet the tastebuds.  I wanted more but perhaps on a bike of my own.

My legs were like jelly and I was left a little speechless from the experience. I was certainly sore the next day, even as a pillion you need strength and you find muscles that you haven’t used in a long time.

It was an awesome experience.  I recommend it for everyone. Just make sure you listen to the rider, don’t make a fool of yourself and let yourself have fun.

Afterall, what’s the worst that could happen?

—

A massive thanks to the whole ASBK crew for getting this done! Particularly to Steve for not killing me and to Andrew for setting up the gig in the first place

—

By Sam Tickell, April 2015

Photos by Andrew Gosling – TBG Sport

RacerViews was established in 2011 and with the aim of delivering a new web experience to motorsport fans. We bring exclusive interviews and photos from motorsports finest drivers of yesterday, today and tomorrow. Our team has over 30 years of experience in the motorsport field. With a heavy presence on Facebook, Twitter and iTunes where we have over 3100 followers, our mission to bring exclusive content is in safe hands. We have partnered with motorsport teams like Stig Richards Motorsport, One of a Kind Motorsport, Dark Horse Racing and MRT Performance in order to give you the best exclusive motorsport coverage.

We are always looking for new people to join our team. If you are a motorsports photographer or journalist looking for additional exposure or a great place to learn your trade, contact us