Superbike weekend: My job in the paddock.

The paddock at a World Superbike event has a completely different vibe to that of a GP paddock.

The biggest difference is that you don’t have to spend an absolute fortune to get in there. In fact, all you have to do to get in the paddock is buy a general admission entry ticket, and that in itself changes the whole atmosphere.

I was lucky enough to work in the paddock at the Donington Park round of World Superbike. I had managed to attain media accreditation for the weekend with Motofire, a company that I have written for since April last year. It was my first time at a World Superbike event, never mind my first time attending as media.

But I think my experience is one that should be shared, not just for the bragging rights, but to show just how together the racing community is, and how we really are one big family.

This weekend was a tough one. We recently lost Nicky Hayden to a tragic cycling accident, and he was clearly in the forefront of everyone’s minds. The mood in the paddock was sombre, littered with #RideOnKentuckyKid stickers, and ‘69’ emblems were displayed on cars, trucks, scooters and pretty much any flat surface you could find. Nicky was a universally respected guy, which is why it was only right that he was honoured with a minute’s silence on the grid before the Superbike race.

I was fortunate enough to be able to be on the grid for the silence, and it was moving. Teams and fans, family and friends all swarmed out to pay their respects to the much-loved American. It was a beautiful moment, and one that Nicky would’ve loved.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from working at an event like this. I’ve never had the opportunity to do it before so as you can imagine, it was pretty nerve-racking. My weekend started off on Thursday, with a quick trip to Donington Park to do an interview. I’ve never done one of those either, not face-to-face anyway so I was understandably equal parts nervous and excited. Picking up my media pass from the accreditation centre made me feel like I was on top of the world. Armed with my notebook and my Dictaphone I felt unstoppable. Nothing could bring down that feeling.

Stepping into the media centre was terrifying – it wasn’t particularly busy as it was Thursday but it was still overwhelming. Luckily two lovely guys had taken pity on me and had let me sit with them for the weekend as I didn’t know anyone. I claimed my seat and after staying around to chat for a bit, headed off to my interview with double World Champion Jonathan Rea.

The interview went well. Jonathan is a lovely guy, he knew it was my first ever interview and made me feel completely at ease. It was an honour to interview such a great guy, and I couldn’t have done my first ever face-to-face with a better person. I came out with a great interview, which if you’re interested in reading you can check out here- motofire.com/2017/05/sport/jonathan-rea-sbk-feels-like-home-i-dont-see-myself-moving/

I didn’t return to Donington until the cold and rainy Saturday morning. While I was sat in the toasty warm media centre, fans were crowding into the paddock outside wrapped in their scarves and coats. I clutched my coffee tighter (provided free of charge, of course), knowing that on any normal race day, that’d be me out there.

Watching the qualifying sessions and races on a 4K HD TV is something you won’t get to do often – unless you’re loaded and can afford that kind of thing. And let me tell you, I basked in it. Surrounded by some of the best journalists in the business, from all over the world and from all different publications, I began to feel perfectly accepted and at home.

Of course, there are some media perks (apart from the free tea and coffee, and questionable looking lunch). On the Saturday, myself and a few other journos got the chance to find out exactly how WSBK gets onto the television from the cameras around the track, and it was really interesting to see behind the scenes

But by far the biggest media perk came on Sunday, about an hour before the Superbike race. Myself, Jared and Eliot (the two guys who had taken pity on me) were sat in the media centre just chatting away, blissfully unaware that in 20 minutes time, our legs would be jelly and our minds would be blown.

We had to sign a million indemnity forms but we were finally led out onto the grid where our steed awaited – the World Superbike safety car.

As we were led to the grid, I couldn’t quite believe that I was getting the chance to do a lap of Donington Park in the safety car. And as I slid into the seat next to the driver, I still couldn’t quite believe it. But there was no time for believing, only time to enjoy it. And man…it was fast. Thankfully my stomach managed to hold up, even as we skidded around the Melbourne Loop when my heart was in my mouth and my tummy was in knots. It was a crazy experience, and something I will probably never get to do again. As soon as I stepped out of the car I struggled to walk properly – my legs were shaking as were my hands, which made it really hard to report on the Superbike race just a mere 20 minutes later. But my god it was worth it.

My weekend working in the paddock ended at around 5pm on the Sunday. And as I said goodbye to the media centre my heart broke a bit, knowing that it would be a full year until I’d return again.

I learned a lot from that weekend though. The main thing being that maybe I really am cut out for this. Being a moto-journalist, I mean. We all have doubts about what we’re doing with our lives and I’ve had my fair share. When I first set foot in the media centre on Thursday afternoon, all I could think was that the people sat around me were real journalists, and I wasn’t. They were getting paid to do what they love and I wasn’t. In fact, I was probably the only person there that wasn’t being paid by their company. But you know what? That was perfectly fine by me. Because the experience that I had this weekend was invaluable and I would never have done it if the guys at Motofire hadn’t given me a chance. It took me a while to realise that just because this isn’t my job, it doesn’t mean I’m not good at it.

At this point in my life and at this stage in my career, that is more valuable to me than any cash payment.