Niki Coates at Donington Park GP 24th June
The year 2007 has flown in for me, it feels like the season only started yesterday. Maybe its because I am enjoying my racing more than ever. I have been riding for KRP this year and I was away testing in in February for the first time in my career and I feel now that it’s really benefited me. From the start of the season I felt as fast as ever and managed to  achieve some good results with a 9th, two 4th and a 6th in the first 4 rounds and that left me 5th in the championship. Then a week or two later I got word that my application for a ‘wildcard’ entry into the British Grand Prix had been accepted.
I was over the moon when I heard.
It was normal for the team as they have had their riders in the previous two British GP’s. There is not a better team in the country that I could be riding for at such an event. With good mechanics and an experienced team boss ‘Mark Keen’ with good bikes and a good set up I was looking forward to it. There couldn’t have been a better way to set myself up for my first GP as I took my first British Championship victory at my home British race and I was full of confidence on my way to Donington.
We arrived on the Wednesday and got set up, then decided to see what the opposition was like. After seeing the grand Prix paddock I was surprised to say the least. There hospitality’s set up was worth more than our whole set up.
We were first out on track on Friday morning and it was soaking wet. I’m not usually a big fan of the wet but when you are riding against the best bikes in the world with the best teams looking after them, you see rain and you are glad as it evens everything out that little bit.
On track I got into a good smooth rhythm straight away and the confidence was showing. 4 minutes into the session I set the fastest lap and held it for 10 minutes. Not bad start if you ask me. When I pulled in for adjustments 15 minutes into the 45 minute session Keeny said to me there was no point riding around in those conditions, so we  headed back to the awning and got ready for qualifying that afternoon. I had finished the session in 28th place and top wildcard, but was happy enough considering I only done a third of the session.
In first qualifying it was wet but not raining and the whole team had new wets on so we took it easy the first few laps to scrub them in, but 8 minutes into the session there was a torrential downpour and everybody’s quickest time of the session was set in the first few laps. So unlucky for me I was scrubbing my tyres in so that left me in 34th position.
Saturday was a different story as the sun was shining and the track was dry and I matched my previous best time around Donington in the morning practise and knew I could go quicker with more dry track time. I was proved right as I knocked 2.2 seconds of my time in the afternoon qualifying but as the pace being as quick as it was it still only put me 34th on the grid. Still I was confident that I could go well in the race and was really looking forward to it.
My aim for the race was to be top wildcard and if I could beat any grand prix regulars that would be a bonus.
On race day I received many texts from people wishing me good luck which was nice to know that there were a few  people keeping an eye on me. There were some very important decisions to be made for the race, from the teams and the riders. There had been torrential rain earlier in the day at the start of the 250cc race then the Moto GP race which was after them was also a wet race. The Moto GP race was the race before mine and it was starting to dry up in the closings stages. We decided to go out with a wet set up and if we needed to we could change to slicks on the line. On my out lap I studied the track and could see there was a dry line so back on the grid we changed to soft slicks for the damp conditions but it was not possible to change our rear suspension on the line to the dry set up.
The race was just about to start and there was me sitting on the same grid as the best 125cc riders in the world, something in which I couldn’t have dreamt of at the start of my career. I managed to keep my cool and concentrate on the start and that is what I done.
As the lights went out I made a good start and had passed a few already then just when I was changing to second gear the bike bogged down mysteriously and that ruined the start completely and I was close to last going into the first corner. I later found that there was a problem with the modified tanks and that actually all the KRP bikes had bogged down at the start. There was nothing I could do now but get my head down and catch and pass as many people on the opening few laps as possible. The damp conditions helped me catch back up and pass a few riders. After a few laps the track had dried completely out and this was not good news as I soon found out. My team mate Robbie Stewart and me were having a good battle with 4 other GP regulars but around two thirds way through the race my soft tyres had ripped up as the track dried faster than expected. So as me and Robbie lost ground it was just me and him to fight it out for the second highest wildcard and a 27th overall position. I made a pass on him on the 2nd last lap and held it to the line
It was a good race and I took a lot away from the weekend. It was a pity about the start and a pity about the tyres or I could have been in for an even better result, but I did learn a lot and I did really enjoy myself and when I think about it that is what I went there to do.
The rest of the season will be interesting and I would like to thank everyone for there support so far.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank my Dad for all the support he has shown since I started racing and the team for working hard and putting me out on a good bike. Would also like to thank my aunt Marty, David Kyle, The Visor Shop, Bob Loyd (Oxtar and Shark), Newtownabbey Borough Council, my brother Mark, Simon and all my family and friends for all there support. Also a wee shout out to Moose for cooking the dinner, keep up the good work.
Cheers Nikki Coates #65
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