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This week sees Dsve and Wes holders of V.I.P. hospitality passes for the Oulton round of the 2004 BSB championship, courtessy of Rizla Suzuki. How ever does he do it?!

Mr Paul Denning’s Rizla Suzuki BSB race team was visiting Oulton Park for the penultimate round of the championship and I was fortunate enough to be offered two VIP hospitality passes for this event. Wes and I were both looking forward to the race day on Sunday, and we were up bright and early for the short journey through the Cheshire country side to the circuit. Of course, we were both sporting our NSR-WORLD team shirts for this prestigious day, but I was slightly concerned that we both had HRC logos on display and that we were being entertained by the Suzuki squad for this event. Never-the-less, I felt comfortable with myself for I had brought along our BGP supporters shirts “just in case”.   Get advertising while you can Dave! Ed.

The program for the day began at 9:00am with breakfast being served until 10:00am. I have a weakness for Pain au Raisin served with black coffee (I have the physique to prove it!) and my NSR-WORLD team shirt was filling out quite nicely! The two guys who ran the coffee area certainly knew how to make speciality coffees and they were both entertaining with it.

The hospitality area had two large Plasma TV screens positioned at either end and were able to show all the races as they happened. If you so wished, you didn’t even have to leave the marquee at all throughout the day!

At 10:00am John Reynolds and Yukio Kagayama (JR and Yuki) made an appearance for an informal chat and we listened to them both discuss their intentions for the two races that would happen later. We also had the opportunity to photograph these very genuine guys up close. (I even took a photo of Mrs Kagayama with Wes!)

Whilst Yuki and JR were out on track for a practice session we were given permission to visit the pit garage and also have access down the pit lane. Whilst we were perusing the assorted pit garages I noticed the ex 500 Honda rider Tady Okada in the HM Plant garage. Tady is a great hero of mine and I eagerly offered him a handshake. Tady is a very quiet and reserved person and would prefer to be out of the spotlight rather than be the focus of attention. I am sure that he was relieved when I left him alone and continued down pit lane.

Whilst Yuki and JR were out on track for a practice session we were given permission to visit the pit garage and also have access down the pit lane. Whilst we were perusing the assorted pit garages I noticed the ex 500 Honda rider Tady Okada in the HM Plant garage. Tady is a great hero of mine and I eagerly offered him a handshake. Tady is a very quiet and reserved person and would prefer to be out of the spotlight rather than be the focus of attention. I am sure that he was relieved when I left him alone and continued down pit lane.
I was hoping to bump into James Ellison (the stand in rider for WCM) and chat to him about his last corner, last lap crash which put him as DNF at Brno. James is riding for the Jentin Yamaha squad in BSB and is leading the privateer class in this series.
Wes and I found him drinking tea in his pit area and he spoke of his disappointment at his crashing out on spilt oil from one of the Ducatis. He is off to Japan later this week to ride once again for WCM in the Moto GP at Motegi.

Wes spotted the “Samurai of Slide” Nori Haga, sitting quietly in a corner, he made it apparent with his body language that he did not wish to talk with us, he did however let me photograph him and I thanked him for this gesture.

As Wes and I toured the paddock area we heard the familiar pop, pop, pop of a paddock scooter and I looked around to see Chaz Davies astride this machine. He stopped for a chat and informed us that he was up at Oulton today as a spectator before setting off on the long journey to the Far East on Wednesday to compete in the 250 GP.

Wes and I headed back to the hospitality marquee, for lunch was now being served, and as we stepped inside we were accosted by a very nice Suzuki girl and were asked about our Honda shirts and that they were not really suitable to be on show inside the Suzuki area. I had a Denim Bomber jacket with me which I offered to put on and Wes was loaned a Team Rizla paddock jacket to wear for the rest of the event. (Sorry Andy, shit happens)  Well, it was taking the piss a bit, eh?! Ed.

Lunch was of the carvery style, you went up to the table and a chef sliced you as much of the different meats as you wanted, you then helped yourself to the various salads, pasta dishes quiches etc. Beer and Wine was available also, and whilst we ate and drank, we watched the action of the support races on the big screens.

We watched the first of the BSB races from the comfort of the hospitality lounge, for the weather had turned quiet cold and had started to rain. This race ended up as a two-parter due to being halted because of the inclement weather. It was eventually won by Rizla’s John Reynolds with Michael Rutter second and Yuki in third spot. We really wanted to be at the sharp end for the second race and so made our way onto the pit lane concourse to spectate from there. Whilst in pit lane I was distracted from the racing by a group of very desirable young ladies who were making there way up pit lane in my direction. (Could all my dreams really be coming true?). Don't let the wife har you say that! Ed.

I managed to snap their picture with my shaking camera. The great disappointment for me was they strode passed without so much as a glance at my masculine physique!!!!! I had thrown out my chest and pulled my stomach in ……… HEY! I’m not that bad? Am I? Phew! They were kitted out with handcuffs and truncheons, God! The mind boggles….. A bucket of cold water please!

The things Dave has to endure?!...

Now where was I? Ah yes, the racing. Again, this was a thrilling race with John taking the victory with Michael second and Yuki once again third. This was the first “double” victory this yea, the racing has been so close that a different rider has stood on the top step each race.

After the podium celebrations JR and Yuki were scheduled to visit the hospitality area for an interview with the team manager Paul Denning. There followed a question and answer banter with the invited guests.

To round off this superb day the two Rizla riders signed posters and autographed anything that was presented to them, they were both still in their racing leathers and although they must have been desperately uncomfortable in them, they remained cheerful and hospitable through out this ordeal. Although Yuki’s command of the English language was very poor, he and John made great efforts to talk politely to everyone. Wow! That sure was good PR for the team.

As we were leaving we were presented with a Rizla cap to remind us of this fantastic day. Wes asked Yuki and John to autograph his and it has not been off his head since.

I still have to pinch myself to make sure that this event was not a dream and that I was there and “got the cap! It certainly was a memorable day for both Wes and I especially as it cost me “bugger all”.

Now… Dear Santa, for next year please, can you arrange…

Dave Booth.

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