Biggles08
1st October 2009, 18:38
Right...Round 5...what a mixed bag for me!
We drove down on Friday evening to arrive just before the gates were being shut up at the track. This month the house we normally stay in was fully booked as there were a few events on in little ol Feilding (notice the spelling Hitcher??? ;-)). We (myself and my wonderfully understanding girlfriend) decided to rough it and camp at the track. When we arrived we decided to actually sleep in the pit shed as it seemed easier than setting up the tent as we were buggered from the big drive. Pumped up the airbed and set up camp in the pit garage. I must say it was a pretty cool thing waking up in the morning to see my race bike right there looking menacing in the early morning light...eh hehehe.
Saturday:
This month I was seriously short of funds so I was unable to get some new rubber for my bike and was planning on making do with the set on my bike that had already seen two race meetings and a full day at the track at Pukekohe. I was soon to discover that this was a flawed plan. The first few sessions were enough to discover the poor METZELER tires were being asked to do things they just couldn’t handle. I qualified 17th on the grid for F2 and 27th on the grid for F1!!! I’m not usually worried about my grid positions as I have a pretty strong start but this was a bit ridiculous!
I knew what the problem was and was trying to find other METZELER users around the pits to buy a new set off them (not that I could afford it but I was also couldn’t afford to drop my bike due to crappy tires). Scuzeme as always was accommodating and offered a set of his that had done considerably less track time than the ones I was on. I decided to do the first couple of races to see how I would go and then change the rear over.
The first races were pretty well fought for the first section of the race but after about 4 laps my tires were just sliding all over the show and I had no confidence in my bike. I was desperately trying to ride defensively so as to hold Scuzeme off but there is only so much one can do. Eventually Scuzeme got me and as soon as I was behind him there was no chance of getting in front again. Finished ahead on all the races on the Sat from my starting position but hardly anything to write home about...I was feeling flat and like I was fighting a losing battle...anyway, day ended we went out for Pizza and beer (good stable athletes diet apparently cause I saw Keelim there too!) and headed back to the Pit shed for some more shut eye.
Sunday:
Today I had changed my rear for the one Darrin gave me but still was feeling uncomfortable on them. Throughout my search I had been over to talk to Jamie R and he was telling me to try his Dunlop’s so I went back to have another chat. Fair enough he convinced me to chuck them on and see what I thought. Well....first corner into the warm up lap for the F1 race I shifted my weight to the right as I approached the corner...the bike immediately leaned to the right....that’s different. Next corner same thing so I cracked the throttle so as to see what would happen.....NICE! I came around to line up in 27th on the grid feeling a tingle of confidence creeping over me. Lights out, I’m off....first corner I stick to the inside line and come out hitting the gas hard...I’m flying through the field, cutting them up like a knife through butter!!! Amazing shit! 6 laps into the race I’m chasing ‘toast’ hard having swapped positions with him about 3 times by this stage....we come around turn one to see a bike in the middle of the track. I knew straight away it was to be red flagged and sure enough by Dunlop we were shown the flag and I came in immediately to line up on the dummy. We were told a restart was to happen and what I had just managed to do (later I found out I was in 14th position halfway through the race! ?- 13 places better than where I started). I was pretty disappointed but I thought oh well...do it again brother. As it turned out a few decided for whatever reason not to go back out so I ended up finishing the F1 race in 6th position out of 19 starters!!! What a result from new tires! I should also note that these Dunlop’s had also seen two race meetings and a full track day so were not new tires! Furthermore, I had just smashed my previous PB by a second but reduced my lap times from earlier in the day by over 2 seconds! I was firmly in the 13’s now! The next F2 race was much of the same...unleashing a can of whip-arse and only losing out on 8th place to Bryce Meads on the last lap as I was wayyyyyyy too fatigued to brake hard and he managed to get past me under brakes at higgens on the last lap. Ended up in 9th place for the last race of F2.
Overall I have leaped to the next level in my racing and managed a lap time of 1:13 flat which felt super easy and lots more could be shaved off by better riding.
After the day we got away from Feilding at around 6.30pm and didn't get home to Auckland until 12:30am! Another reason to thank my wonderful Girlfriend:2thumbsup
I need to thank so many people for assisting me in my racing. Dom for putting up with driving all the way to Manfield each month and especially this time for putting up with less than ideal accommodation when we arrived (although I liked it ?). Scuzeme...you always are the first to offer a hand of assistance when I need it...thanks brother and I hope (nah I know you will) you sort out Yamakazi before R6. Jamie R and his crew for your help and breakfast....you’re a ROCKSTAR bro! All the guys in our pits for putting up with all the BS I sling around...eh hehe...we have a great atmosphere in our garage and it’s all because we’re good mates!
My sponsors of course...remember guys (which of course includes you girls too) support those that support our sport so take a note of this list I’m about to write...these people are not only supporting me but have taken a chance on gaining more business from our demographic...so if you are buying, buy from these people first:
Ed Hardy – www.edhardy.co.nz (http://www.edhardy.co.nz), Takapuna brake and automotive – www.takapuna.biz (http://www.takapuna.biz), Kwik-N-Ezy canopies – www.kwiknezy.co.nz (http://www.kwiknezy.co.nz), Reflections motorcycle refinishers – www.reflectionsmc.co.nz (http://www.reflectionsmc.co.nz), Designation logos and Signs – www.designation.co.nz (http://www.designation.co.nz), Q-Moto protection leathers – www.quasimoto.co.nz (http://www.quasimoto.co.nz), Autoblast vehicle sandblasting – www.autoblast.org (http://www.autoblast.org), Speed Tech – www.speed-tech.co.nz (http://www.speed-tech.co.nz), Redline Trackdays – www.redlinetrackdays.co.nz (http://www.redlinetrackdays.co.nz), Floorspace commercial flooring – www.floorspace.co.nz (http://www.floorspace.co.nz)
If you haven't already done so, join my facebook page by logging on at www.facebook.com/bigglesracing (http://www.facebook.com/bigglesracing)
We drove down on Friday evening to arrive just before the gates were being shut up at the track. This month the house we normally stay in was fully booked as there were a few events on in little ol Feilding (notice the spelling Hitcher??? ;-)). We (myself and my wonderfully understanding girlfriend) decided to rough it and camp at the track. When we arrived we decided to actually sleep in the pit shed as it seemed easier than setting up the tent as we were buggered from the big drive. Pumped up the airbed and set up camp in the pit garage. I must say it was a pretty cool thing waking up in the morning to see my race bike right there looking menacing in the early morning light...eh hehehe.
Saturday:
This month I was seriously short of funds so I was unable to get some new rubber for my bike and was planning on making do with the set on my bike that had already seen two race meetings and a full day at the track at Pukekohe. I was soon to discover that this was a flawed plan. The first few sessions were enough to discover the poor METZELER tires were being asked to do things they just couldn’t handle. I qualified 17th on the grid for F2 and 27th on the grid for F1!!! I’m not usually worried about my grid positions as I have a pretty strong start but this was a bit ridiculous!
I knew what the problem was and was trying to find other METZELER users around the pits to buy a new set off them (not that I could afford it but I was also couldn’t afford to drop my bike due to crappy tires). Scuzeme as always was accommodating and offered a set of his that had done considerably less track time than the ones I was on. I decided to do the first couple of races to see how I would go and then change the rear over.
The first races were pretty well fought for the first section of the race but after about 4 laps my tires were just sliding all over the show and I had no confidence in my bike. I was desperately trying to ride defensively so as to hold Scuzeme off but there is only so much one can do. Eventually Scuzeme got me and as soon as I was behind him there was no chance of getting in front again. Finished ahead on all the races on the Sat from my starting position but hardly anything to write home about...I was feeling flat and like I was fighting a losing battle...anyway, day ended we went out for Pizza and beer (good stable athletes diet apparently cause I saw Keelim there too!) and headed back to the Pit shed for some more shut eye.
Sunday:
Today I had changed my rear for the one Darrin gave me but still was feeling uncomfortable on them. Throughout my search I had been over to talk to Jamie R and he was telling me to try his Dunlop’s so I went back to have another chat. Fair enough he convinced me to chuck them on and see what I thought. Well....first corner into the warm up lap for the F1 race I shifted my weight to the right as I approached the corner...the bike immediately leaned to the right....that’s different. Next corner same thing so I cracked the throttle so as to see what would happen.....NICE! I came around to line up in 27th on the grid feeling a tingle of confidence creeping over me. Lights out, I’m off....first corner I stick to the inside line and come out hitting the gas hard...I’m flying through the field, cutting them up like a knife through butter!!! Amazing shit! 6 laps into the race I’m chasing ‘toast’ hard having swapped positions with him about 3 times by this stage....we come around turn one to see a bike in the middle of the track. I knew straight away it was to be red flagged and sure enough by Dunlop we were shown the flag and I came in immediately to line up on the dummy. We were told a restart was to happen and what I had just managed to do (later I found out I was in 14th position halfway through the race! ?- 13 places better than where I started). I was pretty disappointed but I thought oh well...do it again brother. As it turned out a few decided for whatever reason not to go back out so I ended up finishing the F1 race in 6th position out of 19 starters!!! What a result from new tires! I should also note that these Dunlop’s had also seen two race meetings and a full track day so were not new tires! Furthermore, I had just smashed my previous PB by a second but reduced my lap times from earlier in the day by over 2 seconds! I was firmly in the 13’s now! The next F2 race was much of the same...unleashing a can of whip-arse and only losing out on 8th place to Bryce Meads on the last lap as I was wayyyyyyy too fatigued to brake hard and he managed to get past me under brakes at higgens on the last lap. Ended up in 9th place for the last race of F2.
Overall I have leaped to the next level in my racing and managed a lap time of 1:13 flat which felt super easy and lots more could be shaved off by better riding.
After the day we got away from Feilding at around 6.30pm and didn't get home to Auckland until 12:30am! Another reason to thank my wonderful Girlfriend:2thumbsup
I need to thank so many people for assisting me in my racing. Dom for putting up with driving all the way to Manfield each month and especially this time for putting up with less than ideal accommodation when we arrived (although I liked it ?). Scuzeme...you always are the first to offer a hand of assistance when I need it...thanks brother and I hope (nah I know you will) you sort out Yamakazi before R6. Jamie R and his crew for your help and breakfast....you’re a ROCKSTAR bro! All the guys in our pits for putting up with all the BS I sling around...eh hehe...we have a great atmosphere in our garage and it’s all because we’re good mates!
My sponsors of course...remember guys (which of course includes you girls too) support those that support our sport so take a note of this list I’m about to write...these people are not only supporting me but have taken a chance on gaining more business from our demographic...so if you are buying, buy from these people first:
Ed Hardy – www.edhardy.co.nz (http://www.edhardy.co.nz), Takapuna brake and automotive – www.takapuna.biz (http://www.takapuna.biz), Kwik-N-Ezy canopies – www.kwiknezy.co.nz (http://www.kwiknezy.co.nz), Reflections motorcycle refinishers – www.reflectionsmc.co.nz (http://www.reflectionsmc.co.nz), Designation logos and Signs – www.designation.co.nz (http://www.designation.co.nz), Q-Moto protection leathers – www.quasimoto.co.nz (http://www.quasimoto.co.nz), Autoblast vehicle sandblasting – www.autoblast.org (http://www.autoblast.org), Speed Tech – www.speed-tech.co.nz (http://www.speed-tech.co.nz), Redline Trackdays – www.redlinetrackdays.co.nz (http://www.redlinetrackdays.co.nz), Floorspace commercial flooring – www.floorspace.co.nz (http://www.floorspace.co.nz)
If you haven't already done so, join my facebook page by logging on at www.facebook.com/bigglesracing (http://www.facebook.com/bigglesracing)