Motorbike racer Damon Smith, from Street, is lying joint fifth in the championship and broke his personal lap record following a weekend's racing at Castle Combe in Wiltshire.

There was some down to the wire in bike prep for last weekend's NG Road Racing Grand National Weekend at Castle Combe Circuit, as Damon collected the DS Racing Kawasaki up from AFB Motorcycles after a gearbox refresh and new battery but with no starter motor which failed at the last round at Donington Park, it was arranged to have it delivered to the circuit before testing in the afternoon.

Damon offered big thanks to Andy Forbes-Buckingham for arranging all this and fitting it in the paddock and Corby Kawasaki for getting the part to him so quickly.

Damon said: "Testing commenced and after some small suspension and gearing adjustments to get the best out of Kawasaki ZX10R machine, we were ready for free practice and qualifying session on Saturday morning.

"We were also very pleased to be joined by the Club 23 competition winners who won two tickets for entry into the circuit as well as a special treat for them by joining one of the circuit commentators up in the commentary box for the best view in the house."

This 1.85-mile Castle Combe circuit was developed from the RAF base that was opened in 1941, but was decommissioned just seven years later in 1948.

1952 saw the first bike race meeting take place with John Surtees taking the 500 race, just three years before becoming World 500cc Champion.

The circuit has remained with pretty much the same layout over the last 66 years, but for the introduction of a couple of chicanes.

It has seen all the greats race here on four and two wheels from Moss to Senna, and Surtees to Sheene.

Damon said: "Qualifying was a frantic 12 minutes of trying to get a clear lap not helped by one rider making crazy overtakes, outbreaking himself and forcing me onto the grass and another rider down an escape road ruining my fast laps - due to this I ended qualifying in a disappointing seventh in class leaving me with work to do in the race.

"I made a good start to Race 1, but a first lap incident meant taking avoiding action to miss a spinning bike and rider which caused a big gap in the field and masses of time to make up.

"However, I did catch up with Ade Walbridge on his rapid BMW to make a three-bike overtake into Quarry Corner but two laps later, I missed my braking marker for the tight single file Bybrook Chicane causing the rear wheel to lift too far off the ground forcing me to let go of the front brake and take to the grass losing a place, finishing sixth in class. I also broke my PB lap time from last year.

"For Race 2 on Sunday morning, I gambled on dry tyres with rain still in the air after a damp practice session lining up 12th on the grid overall of 41 starters.

"The first corner was another busy place to be and unfortunately ended up three abreast and got pushed wide so another uphill struggle to get to where I should be but eventually crossed the line in seventh place in class.

"I got a good start in Race 3 and spent all race in a seven-bike battle until the race was brought to a premature end due to an accident involving Shaun Wynne trying to pass two backmarkers into Bybrook Chicane sending him into the barriers hard - get well soon mate.

"Therefore by race position finished seventh in class - I am disappointed as I had the pace to get to the front of the group if it wasn't for the red flag.

"All in all, solid results, good points, great close racing, good bike setup, broken my personal best lap time from last year and now six weeks to search for improvements ahead of the next round at Cadwell Park in Lincolnshire. Championship position, joint fifth out of 23.

"As always it wouldn't be possible without my amazing sponsors Simon Lane and Steve Whitear of HEL Performance, Andy Forbes-Buckingham of AFB Motorcycles, Dan Howley of Twosixfit Gym and Fitness Centre, Carl Woodward of Woodward Mortgage and Insurance Services, Mark Hawks of MPH Telecom, Paul and Judith Redmore of P J Parcels, Adi Sully of Vehicle Life Support, John Holdsworth of R&T Fish Bar, Julie Williams of Ambrosini Construction Group, Roger Stacey of RA Stacey Plant Hire, Opie Oils, Matthew Parsons of ParSigns and special thanks to Nigel and Julie Eddleston Dike and Stephen Carpenter of EDP Photo News for the pictures and for also buying me a new rear tyre for Sunday's races, and all at Club 23.

"Also great to have my son Leon with us acting as team manager and as always Cat Barnstable for all your love, support and help in the pits."