23 August 2003
Round 7 – Oschersleben Germany
Diablo 666 are go again! This time the race distance was to be a full 24hrs of Endurance racing! Was this going to test the new Team or what!

After the disappointment of our debut at the A1 Ring being blighted by problems with the Brembo brakes having been grafted onto the GSXR, it was decided to go back to basics. The Brembo discs were discarded and back to the stock Suzuki discs with up-rated forks to avoid the problems with uneven disc wear.

The rider line up was to be the same, James Hutchins, Kevin Falcke and Warren Watson.

As the Team arrived at the circuit the weather forecast was not looking good. It was decided to take it steady during free practice as it was going to be an extremely long weekend. Unfortunately, the very worst happened. In free practice Warren had a major off and ended up in hospital with some very unpleasant injuries. Phone calls back to the UK were suggesting that the Team would be forced to withdraw from the race due to the injuries to the rider, Warren, and to the bike. Running on an extremely small budget the Team were already stretched with funding the round but what appeared a complete bike rebuild had not been allowed for within the already limited budget.

As supporters waited anxiously back in the UK, wondering whether it was worth making the journey, the news came through that Diablo 666 were back in the race, the damage done to the machine could be fixed, unfortunately Warren's injuries would take a lot longer!

Due to the injuries suffered by Warren preventing him from riding the search was on for a replacement rider. It would be impossible to run for 24hrs with only two riders. Miles Hutchins was in discussion with a number of teams up and down pit lane, teams who had the luxury of having four riders. The rules state that all riders must have

qualified for the race on whatever bike, but they must have qualified. A number of riders were therefore in the frame but Miles would not know until the 12th hour which team would release a rider to Diablo to replace the injured Warren.

No major chances were taken during qualifying practice as the last thing the team needed was another expensive rebuild and the riders eventually qualified safely in 24th place. Not a brilliant starting position but Diablo 666 would at least be starting.

The minds of all the Team during practice had been firmly on Warren lying in hospital with frequent visits by the entire Team being made to at least bring some comfort to him and to keep him advised of how the Team had gone in practice.

With time ticking by the search for another rider intensified and eventually German Team Yamaha OBI Shell Bike Promotion No. 111, offered the services of German rider Daniel Bergau. With the Oschersleben Bike Feast weekend including various rounds of the German National Championships, Daniel had been in the German equivalent of the British R6 cup, albeit Kawasaki 600 mounted. The only worrying note was that in his earlier race he had crashed very early on and was still suffering from a damaged ankle! Would he last 24hrs was on everyone's mind.

As race start time approached, the nerves of the Team were beginning to show through their cool exteriors. Away James went and soon we were circulating in a much more respectable position. As the race wore on we were consistently running in the top ten, being at one time as high as 7th.

All looked good, darkness fell and then James went missing, after what seemed an eternity he re-appeared pushing the bike into pit lane. The rear wheel cush drive had given up the ghost and James had had to push the bike back almost half a lap. To say he was exhausted is something of an understatement.

Nathan and Geoff sped into action and a new wheel with new cush drive installed in record time, Kevin Falcke sped off down pit lane, Diablo 666 were back on the case.

Having lost almost 30 minutes the Team had dropped down the field but the bike was running fantastic. There was a long way still to go and as each lap passed by the Team, running at an extremely fast pace in the darkness, were slowly but surely moving back up the leader board.

Then at 2:45 am, 15 minutes shy of the magic 12-hour mark, Kevin disappeared. Frantic calls to race control were made to find out what had happened to no avail. No news, but eventually the Team learned he had crashed heavily out on the far side of the circuit. A momentary lapse of concentration in his first ever 24hr race.

Fortunately, he had landed on his head, so no damage done there but the bike was heavily damaged. On pushing the bike back in Miles Hutchins, Team Principal, wisely made the decision to call a halt to Diablo 666's race. Kevin was in fact suffering from mild concussion and he was ushered off to the medical centre to be checked over.

As the Team cleared up all the gear, the mood was somewhat sombre but once a few beers had been downed the Team was much more upbeat, Diablo 666 had been running in its first ever 24 hr race, in the top ten and again had surprised many of the established teams.

The learning process had continued with the experience of running in this race but the one thing that had become very clear after only two rounds, was the incredible team spirit that was developing within the team.

Special thanks must again go to the Bolliger Kawasaki Team with whom Diablo 666 shared the pit garage. Their help during the race was amazing.

All in all the Team had again learned a lot. Watch out for Diablo 666 at the final round of the year at Vallelunga, Italy, where the Team hope to get on the old scoreboard and score their first World Championship points.

< Back to main news page