How did it feel to be part of the internationally renowned Wildcat racing team?
It could be pretty unnerving actually, because so much was expected from us. Everyone knew the ‘Wildcat’ bikes, they were so prominent because of their ‘loud’ colour scheme that you stuck out like a sore thumb, and couldn’t just blend in with the crowd if you were having a bad day. But when things went well, I was proud to be riding one of Les Rafferty’s works bikes. Especially when I really felt like I had ridden a hard race and come out on top. There were so many top riders in my class it was a pleasure to race against them on equal terms with regard to machinery. These were guys who used to lap me not just once, but sometimes twice when I was riding my private machine. It took me a while to build up the confidence to challenge highly experienced riders like Nick Barnes on fast tight corners, especially at places like Lydden Hill, but after a few successful races against him I realised that these guys weren’t unbeatable. However there was no room to relax on the track, unless you rod
