codgyoleracer
30th March 2010, 15:16
Hi all -
Had a great time this year. It all started over a beer with me and a few mates almost a year ago when we had an idea on how to build a lighter commuter bike by designing a new chrome moly frame for the SV650 and then develop that into something that handled half respectfully in just two months of testing prior to the kick off of the nats at Ruapuna.
We hit the ground running in the South Island - and other than a few gremlins in the wet with an electrical missfire at Ruapuna and some very close racing with Terry Fitzgerald and Jason we managed to head back to the north with an 11 point lead over Jason "Gimpy" Easton and his neat little Tigcraft Aprilia.
Manfield was a real dogfight - with no races being one by more than .2 of a second, - but i managed to head to Hampton with a 16 point lead.
Both Jason and Terry turned up with their game at Hampton and I knew it was going to be close - when the combination of the Tigcraft and Gimpys skills with the busy Hampton track proved to be very competitve.
Jason grabbed 5 of those 16 points back in the first race and i rode as hard as i had all year long to keep Terry Fitz at bay and secure 2nd place.
The 2nd race was a bun fight from turn one, with Terry and I getting away from a slightly slower starting Gimpy in the first lap - but it didnt last long! - until he was onto us. Unfortunatley a brake seal failiure in that race caused Jason to fall and to his credit he managed to miss my back wheel by what bystanders said looked like millimeters. I was very lucky and am thankfull for Jasons quick thinking and skills by managing to avoid me.
With that happened - it was a matter of securing the position (2nd) and winning the championship as a result.
The last race of the day and of the season was the TT title - and with the championship done and dusted it was all down to one race for the TT title. We had a great battle with Terry Fitz but unfortunatley Gimpy could not come and play with us for very long as his brake issues re-appeared. At the end though the cunning ole fox Mr Fitzgerald - drafted past me on the last lap of the last straight and "hijacked me" for the win.
Goodonya Terry - you still ride damm well and its a pleasure to share the track with you at speed.
Commiserations Gimpy - you pushed me to new limits , and that makes one feel young again! - (god knows i need plenty of that.........) :-)
Cheers to all the Kiwibikers that kept in touch and for all the support from mates and family , it was an awesome season in F3.
Had a great time this year. It all started over a beer with me and a few mates almost a year ago when we had an idea on how to build a lighter commuter bike by designing a new chrome moly frame for the SV650 and then develop that into something that handled half respectfully in just two months of testing prior to the kick off of the nats at Ruapuna.
We hit the ground running in the South Island - and other than a few gremlins in the wet with an electrical missfire at Ruapuna and some very close racing with Terry Fitzgerald and Jason we managed to head back to the north with an 11 point lead over Jason "Gimpy" Easton and his neat little Tigcraft Aprilia.
Manfield was a real dogfight - with no races being one by more than .2 of a second, - but i managed to head to Hampton with a 16 point lead.
Both Jason and Terry turned up with their game at Hampton and I knew it was going to be close - when the combination of the Tigcraft and Gimpys skills with the busy Hampton track proved to be very competitve.
Jason grabbed 5 of those 16 points back in the first race and i rode as hard as i had all year long to keep Terry Fitz at bay and secure 2nd place.
The 2nd race was a bun fight from turn one, with Terry and I getting away from a slightly slower starting Gimpy in the first lap - but it didnt last long! - until he was onto us. Unfortunatley a brake seal failiure in that race caused Jason to fall and to his credit he managed to miss my back wheel by what bystanders said looked like millimeters. I was very lucky and am thankfull for Jasons quick thinking and skills by managing to avoid me.
With that happened - it was a matter of securing the position (2nd) and winning the championship as a result.
The last race of the day and of the season was the TT title - and with the championship done and dusted it was all down to one race for the TT title. We had a great battle with Terry Fitz but unfortunatley Gimpy could not come and play with us for very long as his brake issues re-appeared. At the end though the cunning ole fox Mr Fitzgerald - drafted past me on the last lap of the last straight and "hijacked me" for the win.
Goodonya Terry - you still ride damm well and its a pleasure to share the track with you at speed.
Commiserations Gimpy - you pushed me to new limits , and that makes one feel young again! - (god knows i need plenty of that.........) :-)
Cheers to all the Kiwibikers that kept in touch and for all the support from mates and family , it was an awesome season in F3.