Lily - A Racer's Attitude |
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Lily returned to racing at the beginning of 2007, this year so far has gone well. She is concentrating on improving and developing her skills to be more competitive. Back in 2005 Lily previously raced a Ducati 998s Bostrom Replica within the Thunderbikes of the Derby Phoenix championship. In her very first race she started at the back of the grid to claim 24th across the finishing line. She explains that ‘My first race has to be my best, not because I did well, but because the exhilaration of sitting 38th on a grid with the noise of all those bikes revving as the lights went out is just a buzz that will never be beaten’. This result alone in her very first race demonstrates her natural talent. Unfortunately her 2005 racing career was cut short due to an incident in her 3rd race. Another rider unfortunately fell off in front of her and horribly went under her wheel. There was nothing she could do and fortunately now the rider has recovered from the accident and has even turned up at the first DD race this year to wish her luck. Lily was unconscious at the scene, but overall wasn’t too badly injured. With the combination of the unfortunate event, a severe repair bill and a traumatised boyfriend, Lily therefore agreed not to race again. Well she tried! After an intense amount of persuading this year sees not only Lily return to racing, but also her boyfriend Jon Mercer who is competing within the same championship. The Desmo Due Race Series was established by the Ducati sporting club back in 2005, which Lily was a member of and it consists of two racing categories. Class A for the 620cc fuel injection based machines and Class B for the 583cc machines with carburettors.Class B is aimed at novices on 600cc bikes who want a slightly cheaper option. Where class A which Lily races in, includes novices as well as more experienced racers. Both Jon and Lily race as part of 0d2 racing, which consists of 3 riders all competing in Class A. The team is managed by Chass Dudley who owns, prepares and transports the bikes for any track days and races. With support from Pondstart Ltd, JHP/Ducati Coventry, J & I Pipework Services, Copeimages.co.uk and Rage Designs Lily is able to ensure she has everything covered for racing, this produces a solid constructive and supportive environment for both the individuals and the team’s future. Even though Lily’s family has always been into bikes and at an early age she spent a lot of time as pillion or riding as a sidecar passenger at rallies, it was several years before she passed her test. Previously she represented Great Britain at World level in Slalom Kayaking, until she was 24. After that she competed in down hill mountain bike racing, cross country MTB racing and triathlon, following a few painful accidents she gave up the racing life for a while.
Her aim for the future is to become even fitter, improve her race setup and to finish next season within the top ten. The ultimate goal at the moment is to race her 998 in the sound of thunder/thunderbikes category and to be competitive against the other riders and their bikes. With maybe trying a bit of enduro and supermoto along the way, is there no stopping her. This is her advice to anyway who is thinking of racing ‘Do it!! But before you do, take some time to support club racing, either in the pits as crew or maybe marshalling. Racing is not just about being fast, it’s about race craft and the overall experience.’ For more information on the Lily, a true fighter, the team and the championship log onto www.od2-racing.co.uk and www.ducatisportingclub.com. Article by Tammy Milsom On Bike photo Michael Bonney Photography
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If there was ever a determined, active and competitive woman, it would certainly be Claire Domoney. Claire known as Lily is currently competing within the Desmo Due Race Series on a Ducati Monster 620.
Lily constantly demonstrates passion, determination and how to get back up from whatever life throws at you. Even after a bad road accident on a bike, she still desperately desired to race and return to the same level of riding, if not higher. Which she certainly has done! 
