The trip was for 3 nights and 3 days on circuit but we stayed an extra 2 nights - time to get our drink on !!
The local town was great - not a drinking town but there was a great selection of food and every single meal we had was brilliant, I even tried and liked salad... 
Sunday we had a recce to the circuit but were disappointed to find out there was a festival of speed on. It was 10 euros to get in and seeing as we hadn't heard a single vehicle in 20 minutes of standing outside we didn't bother. Early night then down to the circuit in the morning.
For those of you that have done a euro trip you know the score; sign on the evening before then shit yourself constantly until you've done your first lap of the circuit.
Bikes unloaded, tyre warmers on and out in the pitlane for the 1 and only briefing of the trip. Simon from NoLimits was doing ours and what a treat it was - absolutely ribbing everyone who owned an Aprilia because they wouldn't get all 3 days out of it without something falling off then even better was when he told us how, when you put your hand up to come into the pits and the Triumph you just lapped comes past you, you have time to come through pit lane, talk to the instructors about how your day was, how your wife is, get back out on circuit and you'll still get him before turn 1.
The circuit, wow, what a stonker! I've played this circuit on games consoles for as long as I can remember and it's always been one of my favourites (2nd to Suzuka) so understandably I was very anxious when I went out. Again, completely different to how it looks in videos, on TV and in the game (the game was the most accurate though).
First flying lap I looked down at the speedo - 174mph!!! Braking from 200m down 3 gears into Turn 1, down to around 50mph, stay central in the track between 1 and 2 and force the bike over to the left. Run deep out of Turn 2 and hug the curb through Turn 3. Keep leaning your upper body off and gradually increase throttle until you spot the marker and pin the throttle as you pick the bike up. Brake 2 markers out for Turn 4 and hit the first Apex then run deep into the corner, be patient on the throttle pick up then, once the bike is turned, stand it up and pin the throttle over the rise as the rear lights up and the 2nd apex literally comes towards you out of nowhere. Over the crest as you transition form right to left, brake and down 1 gear. The back end gets loose and starts to back itself in - slipper clutch does it's job and it's something I never have to think about. A very late apex, park the bike in the corner, get it turned then stand the bike up and pin the throttle down the hill and through the kink (Turn 6). Brake upright to Turn 7 as the track starts heading uphill, carefully trail brake as you enter the 'bowl' then get straight on the throttle as the massive positive camber pulls you round the turn but remember to keep your knee up as the curb is bloody high! Run deep out of Turn 7 and use the curb at Turn 8 which initiates a slight wheel spin all the way up the hill as you roll the throttle through Turn 9 carrying a massive amount of speed in the blind crest and off camber high speed turn.
Up to 5th down the back straight, brake 150m out and trail brake past the Apex running deep into Turn 10 (a long left hander), keep on line and eventually pin the throttle all the way to Turn 11, another double apex "be patient on the throttle" corner. Another blind exit as you head downhill into Turn 12 being careful on the throttle as there is massive negative camber. Topping 140mph before braking into the last turn and hitting the exit curb as you enter the back straight clipping 4th gear. Get into full tuck with ass back on behind the windscreen I had a few drag races with other 600s and I'm pleased to say I won some of them!!
My target was a sub 2 minute lap time.. I got this in the 3rd session of the 1st day! I was over the moon. The Pirelli Superbike SC1F/SC2R was brilliant (so I thought). 4th session on the 2nd day and they were ruined. Going round the very long very fast Turn 3 I nearly highsided so I was straight in and that tyre was gone. I fitted some very worn Dunlop D212GP 4F/5R and immediately lapped nearly 1second faster.
The trip was absolutely outstanding overall, my friends all achieved or exceeded their targets with 2 guys getting within 10 seconds of me which they couldn't quite believe.
Would I do one again? If I had the money I would be doing one every other month..
If you've never done one - you need to. I hope you've enjoyed reading about it, Photos will be following tomorrow.
