The story so far...
Daniel John Lessiter
Age: 15
Resides: County Durham
Bike: 2002 Honda CR 125
In May 2008, Daniel used his savings that his Grandmother had for him, to purchase a 1998 CR 125 Motocross Bike.
This bike was purchased for £800, and was sold as having just had a full engine rebuild.
In addition to this, Motocross clothing, helmet, boots and protective gear were also purchased
The first few weeks were spent practising locally and getting used to the bike, and his confidence quickly grew.
The bike was also taken to Steve Raisbeck at MotoXDirect at Chilton County Durham for a check over and preparation to race.
June 2008
Daniel entered his first race on 22 June 2008 at Gravel Pits near York.
Here you can see him at the far end of the start, lining up for his first race:
Unfortunately during his first race the engine seized, meaning the bike was unusable for the rest of the meeting. This was a great disappointment, and we thought that what was going to be a great first outing was going to come to an abrupt end.
However, Rob Richardson (126), who was riding in a different class, kindly allowed Dan to use his bike. This meant Daniel was riding a 250cc bike that he had never been on before in his first races! This however did not faze him at all as you can see!
Daniel continued in the final two races in his class and finished both, albeit in last position.
It was at this point that everything became worthwhile, as although he came off the track in last in both races, the smile on his face was bigger than the winners!
It was at this point I told Daniel that it didn't matter what position he had come, the fact that he had finished both races was more important. I then told him that as far as I was concerned he could finish last in every race for seven years, but if he comes off the track with a smile on his face, that was the important thing.
After this first days racing I could see that this wasn't going to be a `flash in the pan` with Daniel, and I started to prepare myself for the long difficult, demanding, financially draining slog that is Moto X.
In the week following this first meeting, the bike was taken back up to Steve Raisbeck, and the diagnosis was made, the engine required a full rebuild and many of the parts were worn and did not appear to have been replaced recently.
On completion, the bike was run in, and preparations were made for the next event.
July 2008
On 20th July 2008 Daniel was entered into his second event, the Louis MXC annual charity event at Wilberfoss near York. The weather prior to this event had not been good, and as a result the track was somewhat damp, to say the least! Even the expert riders were having problems and dropping their bikes, and seeing how tired some people were coming off the track caused me some concern as to how Daniel would fair. In his first race, I lost count of the amount of times he dropped the bike, but to his credit, he picked it up and jumped back on each time, and although he finished last on the track, his actual position was higher as some riders had pulled off or did not finish. This continued in his other two races, which meant he completed all three races, and didn't finish last overall, a major achievement, and the first milestone (Of many I hope!).
It was at this meeting we found out that White Rose MXC were also holding a meeting there on the Wednesday evening, and the weather forecast was good, so in for a penny in for a pound, we headed back to Wilberfoss on the Wednesday afternoon of 23rd July.
The difference in the track was amazing, the weather, along with some hard work preparing it, meant it was perfect, which also meant all the other riders were faster! One noticeable improvement was his starts, in all three races he was mid pack by the first corner. Three more races and three more finishes meant another successful enjoyable day!
The other meeting in July was KKMX at Topcliffe, and what a change in the weather, it was in the high 20's and I think it took its toll on everyone including Dan
As you can see though, still smiling!!
Again, three finishes, and starting to creep up the finishing positions.
August 2008
August was a busy month, four meetings and one training day. The first meeting was at TJ's Moto Park near York on 10th, and an event staged by 90 Racing. A really good track, lots of jumps and fast straights, and a well organised day. Again Dan finished all three races, which ensured he finished off the bottom.
On the 17th saw us travelling further afield, to Finningley near Doncaster to race with 90 Racing again. As this was a journey of over 100 miles, we decided to travel down the day before, and camp overnight. Finningley was a completely different track from what we had encountered before, much more technical and bigger jumps! But guess what, although Dan was apprehensive beforehand, he took it all in his stride, and again three finishes ensured another finish up the field.
On the 24th we returned to Topcliffe again, with further improvement.
After this meeting we looked at his performance so far. Starting and straight line speeds were improving, and didn't appear to be a problem. The area's that needed work on were cornering, and jumping. It was felt both would improve with experience, but I had heard good reports about N Gage Training at Doncaster, run by Gaz Wright.
We booked in for a days training with N Gage at Doncaster on 30th August, which worked well, as 90 Racing had another meeting at Finningley the following day. It was at this time, as we would be away two nights, it was decided to buy a caravan, and at the cost of £200, the outfit was complete!:
So off to N Gage we went:
So, onto the training day. The day started with Gaz getting to know everyone, and watching their riding styles:
After this, individual tips and advice were given, and this was then put into practice:
Over the day an improvement was seen:
All in all, a good day, and well worth it, so on to Finningley to put it all into practice!
Another good day had a Finningley with 90 Racing, another three finishes and some of the things Dan learnt on the previous day were put into practice. He was noticeably faster around the track, and finished up the field again.
Sept 2008
The first meeting of September saw us back at Doncaster with 90 Racing, but this time at Armthorpe. The weather had been particularly bad during the week and also on the Saturday night, so very wet conditions to start with on the Sunday. The schoolboy class had 16 entrants, so the track wasn't too packed, and our usually theory came into play, get three finishes. Again, three finishes were obtained, and due to this consistency , saw Dan coming away with 11th overall, about 3 points short of a top ten finish and a trophy! This and the last meeting saw me getting involved with the running of the meeting, helping on the start gate and a bit of track marshalling, so no pictures were taken.
The 14th September saw our second meeting with White Rose MXC at Dalton near Thirsk. We had heard a lot about this track, and were looking forward to this one. We again travelled down the night before, and helped out preparing the track and getting everything ready for the following day. The Co organiser, Gaz Crossley was not going to be able to be there on the Sunday, as his son was riding the DEP at Mildenhall, so in stepped Ian to help Tealey run the meeting, running the start gate and generally helping out, hard work, but very enjoyable!
Another good day for Dan, three rides and three finishes in the C Class of 30 riders, a very respectable 23rd.
The final meeting of September saw us back at Topcliffe with KKMX, and an entry in the Schoolboy class of 11. In the first race, I couldn't believe what I was seeing, a great start saw Dan getting into seven place, and maintaining that for the remainder of the race, his first top ten finish!
The second race again saw Dan getting another good start, and eventually finishing in 9th, again, another top ten!
The first two races seemed to take its toll on Dan, and come the third race he was getting tired. He maintained 9th place until the final lap, but was overtaken by two riders leaving him in last place. However, the first two races ensured that he finished 9th overall, his best finish yet! (Note: Fitness might be an issue, swimming and gym work on the cards!)
OCTOBER 2008
5th October saw us back at Dalton again with White Rose. We travelled down the day before and gave Tealey and crew a hand getting things ready for the Sunday.
Although the general weather had been bad, and the forecast wasn't good, we couldn't believe it when we arrived Saturday afternoon, the track was bone dry! However, later Saturday night, through to the early hours of Sunday morning this all changed with some quite heavy rain. Sunday morning saw a totally different track, quite muddy and sloppy.
After the first set of practises, it started drying out. During practise Dans bike seemed to be smoking a bit more than normal, but this was put down to a little bit too much 2 stroke oil mixed with his fuel. Dans first race was also `Beggsys Hole Shot Challenge` A group of us who use an motocross internet forum entered into a bit of friendly rivalry for the hole shot on the first race. The hole shot being the first rider to the first corner after the start straight. £5 each, winner takes all, nine entries in total £45 for the winner. Due to the problems with his bike, Dan missed the start, so missed the Hole Shot fun, and joined the race shortly after everyone else had started.
He managed half a lap before the bike stopped, and ended up having to push it back to the paddock area. A new spark plug was put in, which seemed to help, and he was then set for the second race. Same again second race biked packed in, and thoughts turned to more serious problems, possibly oil seals having failed, not good news. That was the finish of the days racing for us, and Dan missed the third race.
The following week the bike was back at its second home with Steve at MX Direct, and the problem was diagnosed as the crankshaft oil seal. This was replaced, and also the shock absorber top mount was changed. Bike back and ready in time for the NYMXC meeting at Gravel Pits on 12th October.
On the 12th we were back to where Dan had been `christened` into Moto X at Gravel Pits, and he was really looking forward to this. Again we travelled down on the Saturday and lent a hand to Lee Slade, to get the track ready and set up for the Sunday. The weather held out, which meant a good track for the Sunday, and hopefully three good blocks of racing.
Again Dan managed to finish all three blocks of racing, with three good rides, meaning he finished away from the bottom. Sunday night saw us travelling home, tired, but happy.
The 19th October was a new one for us, with White Rose MXC at Bielby, somewhere we hadn't been before. Again we travelled down on the Saturday and lent a hand to Gaz Crossley and Paul Massey, the organisers. The forecast was a bit hit and miss, but Saturday remained dry, and Saturday evening was spent round the camp fire, having a few beers. We also finally got to meet up with Mick Hughes and his wife Tracey, along with their two sons, Michael and Jonathon, who were riding in the youth classes. Michael and Jonathon are both sponsored by MX Direct, so we had heard about them, and seen them on a couple of occasions briefly at other meetings, but not had chance to really chat. A nice evening and really nice to chill out and chat.
Sunday morning started quite hectic, Dan`s bike needed a new Clutch lever and cable, so we were eagerly awaiting their arrival. Once fitted, it was found that Dan`s bike wouldn't start! No spark to the plug meant an electrical problem. The paddock was scoured for a multi meter to test the electric's, but sadly one could not be found. The fault was believed to be the stator plate or CDI box, but we couldn't pinpoint it, and therefore the bike again was out of action, which was really disappointing.
Then came along our saviour, Mark Cardwell (301), an `A` Class rider from Darlington, who we had met on a few occasions at different meetings, who kindly offered Dan the use of his bike, which made Dan's eyes light up, but made me somewhat apprehensive, as it is a 250 four stroke, a lot more powerful than Dan`s 125, a lot newer, and a lot more expensive if he broke it!
Mark advised Dan to go steady, as it was a lot more powerful, and would be really different, and I pleaded with Dan to go steady, as I didn't want a big repair bill if he bent or broke it!
The first race saw Dan line up in the C class, the gates dropped and off they went. Dan still though he was on the 125 I think, and he did one of his normal `125` starts, which meant he came out of the gates with the front wheel off the ground, which caught him a bit by surprise, and he eased off the throttle slightly from there! He then maintained a steady pace throughout the race, and although he finished at the back, had a steady, safe ride, much to my relief!
The second race saw him again get a good start, without lifting the front wheel this time, and continued getting a bit quicker throughout the race. Again, to my relief, he finshed safe and sound, with the bike in one piece.
The third race came, and you could see Dan was getting more confident. He flew out of the start gates, and was actually in six position, amongst it all on the first corner, which was excellent, but didn't do my nerves any good at all, with all the other bikes around him, I feared the worst! I had nothing to worry about though, as he then cautiously negotiated the corner, and ended up in last place on the straight.
As the field spread out, Dan steadily wound the power on, and was flying by the time he approached us on his first lap. I was gesturing for him to steady down a bit, but Mark, who was stood with me disagreed, and was clapping and encouraging him on, so in for a penny, in for a pound, we were both there, clapping and waving him on. He soon caught back up with the back of the pack, and started overtaking riders! A couple of times, it was too much for me and I had to turn away, but he safely negotiated first one, and then another of the back markers. He steadily moved away from these and headed toward the next place and continued on at a good pace, which ensured he finished far from last. As the race finished, my heart rate returned to normal, slowly but surely!
By the third race he was well in control!!
I was then pestered for the rest of the Day for a new 250 2 stoke bike to replace the 125, and as much as I would love to, it was back to reality and explained that it would be the 125 for now, and all effort had to be concentrated on getting it fixed again in time for the next meeting.
The following week saw the bike yet again at Stevie Raisbecks at Chilton. A quick check with the multimeter revealed the worst, it was the stator plate that had gone! A call to Honda of Bournemouth to obtain a price for a replacement had me almost falling over - £593.00!!
Alternative options were then explored, and the only realistic option was a second hand one or a repair to the original. It was at this time I started to question how much more was I prepared to spend on the bike, it just seemed to be one thing after another. I looked around for a second hand stator, but there was nothing about, and a repair would take some time, and cost over £100.00, did I really want to spend that at this time. This made the end of season event at Topcliffe the following Sunday look in doubt.
It was at this time I became aware of a 2002 CR125 available in Blyth. It had recently had a full engine rebuild, and new piston, clutch and fork seals, and had plenty of racing parts fitted also. Was it time to say enough`s enough and move onto something newer? Perhaps, but there was just the matter of the £1000 to buy it! I was due some back money shortly, and a couple of the grants were looking favourable, but hadn't come through yet. There was also some money to come back from the current bike when sold, I was in a right dilemma. It would mean that Daniel would be able to ride at Topcliffe and the last two events of the season.
So on the Friday the deed was done! The bike was bought and brought straight home and prep'd for Topcliffe on the Saturday. There are a few `goodies` on it, a Racing barrel and head, HGS exhaust, new fork seals piston and clutch, so hopefully it should be maintenance free for a while, fingers crossed!
A change of numbers for Topcliffe and we are set to go!!
The 25th of October saw us setting off for Topcliffe on the Saturday. Both bikes were loaded up, and although the old bike wasn't running, we took it along to see if we could generate any interest in it, and stuck a `For Sale` sign on it.
On Sunday morning the` 02` was all prepared and ready to go, and Dan was going to take part in two practise sessions, as the bike had not run in the new piston yet.
As Dan warmed the bike up ready for practise we noticed a leak on the radiator. We were both devastated, after all that and still problems! A temporary repair was tried, using chemical metal and rad weld, but there were still small traces of water coming out. It was then decided that it was too risky to chance it, as the damage it could cause through lack of water was immense, so yet again, no bike to ride at Topcliffe. Was it ever going to happen, all we want is a bike that works and lets Dan race!
Two days of searching high and low for a radiator resulted in nothing in the UK, but a second hand one in the USA at a reasonable price advertised on E Bay was available and duly bought.
Following an application to Spennymoor Town Council, A cheque for £100.00 was received on 30th October 2008, this will help towards ongoing costs.
NOVEMBER 2008
The 16th November saw the first round of the WRMXC Winter Series at Bielby. Unbelieveably the day saw 204 riders turn up!!
First practice and Dan lines up at the start, and would you believe it, the bike starts spewing out water from the overflow pipe on the radiator! Another disaster, and still not riden the bike yet!
Once again, due to the friendliness of the club and people involved, Dan was lucky enough to borrow a bike from another of our good friend in the sport, Ash Tate. He again managed to get a ride out on another strange bike, completing all three blocks, and coming a repectable 26th out of 32. Back home, and back on with fixing the bike again.
Turns out to be the head gasket that has gone, so its back to MotoXDirect, and hopefully sorted for the charity event on 30th November at Stamford Bridge.
This brings the history page to a natural conclusion. All events will now be shown on the `Recent Events` page.