Drew
18th July 2010, 10:28
There was a bit of smack talk on my part, and some others leading up to round three of the winter series this month. I was doing quite well at not being too much of dick till the week before the race, but alas I could not contain my ego and it started.
Was a bit damp for qualifying so the wets stayed on. I knew they be rooted by the end but I had more so it was cool. The rear shock upgrades Mr Taylor made were great, but I should have paid some attention to the front as it was tucking a bit mid turn. Turned out OK though with Deano first and me second on the grid. This was not a great thing though as I started actually thinking I had a decent chance in the race.
That thought quickly left my mind as I totally spazzed the start and took off in second gear, MUPPET! Spent the next three laps riding like a spaz for being such a spaz at the start. Turned out to be a very lonely race as the front eight bikes pissed off into the distance.
Made some changes to the forks on the bike before the second race as the tucking issue was still quite present.
Better start this time but I still got owned in the first few turns and had another lonely race watching the same eight bikes get smaller and smaller ahead of me. I thought I'd gone faster though, but it turns out I hadn't. Just more consistent.
The third race I got a heaps better start and was actually amongst the front guys through the infield, and managed to dice with some of them for a while. I help off Daniel Kempthorn for a while, and after he passed me at the hair pin I stuck with him down the straight, time for brakes and I snuck the front wheel up the inside and held it there. Mid turn with his elbow inches from me helmet it turned to shit though. My front wheel tucked under and it was all over. "Fuck, I know I've got a rep for crashing, but I've never taken anyone out before"! Luckily the SV's are spongy and shit, making them pretty forgiving, so when the front folds and the suspension unloads they often hook up again. Although I didn't make the spot back I felt pretty good about not hitting Dan. Finished the race in that spot, one position better on track than the previous races, but still 4th in F3.
So that was it, I had a ball but once again, made a right cock of myself with my big mouth. Cant wait for the next round where I can learn a bit more and go a bit faster.
Well done to all the guys in front of me, and all the racers for that matter.
A huge thanks to Chrissie, who generously put up my entry fees. Legendary girl, cant thank you enough.
To my lovely lady for all the help on the day, as well as Andries, and Drew for changing wheels and making sure the bike was ready.
Deano, for all the help getting the bike ready to race with me.
Robert Taylor once again, for his magic work on the suspension, and faultless back up service. To steel a line. "There can be only one", and when it comes to bouncy bits you're it.
And of course our sponsors listed below.
I know there are more people to thank, and I'm sorry for not mentioning names. It is pretty busy in a full pit, and I can barely remember my own name on race days.
Was a bit damp for qualifying so the wets stayed on. I knew they be rooted by the end but I had more so it was cool. The rear shock upgrades Mr Taylor made were great, but I should have paid some attention to the front as it was tucking a bit mid turn. Turned out OK though with Deano first and me second on the grid. This was not a great thing though as I started actually thinking I had a decent chance in the race.
That thought quickly left my mind as I totally spazzed the start and took off in second gear, MUPPET! Spent the next three laps riding like a spaz for being such a spaz at the start. Turned out to be a very lonely race as the front eight bikes pissed off into the distance.
Made some changes to the forks on the bike before the second race as the tucking issue was still quite present.
Better start this time but I still got owned in the first few turns and had another lonely race watching the same eight bikes get smaller and smaller ahead of me. I thought I'd gone faster though, but it turns out I hadn't. Just more consistent.
The third race I got a heaps better start and was actually amongst the front guys through the infield, and managed to dice with some of them for a while. I help off Daniel Kempthorn for a while, and after he passed me at the hair pin I stuck with him down the straight, time for brakes and I snuck the front wheel up the inside and held it there. Mid turn with his elbow inches from me helmet it turned to shit though. My front wheel tucked under and it was all over. "Fuck, I know I've got a rep for crashing, but I've never taken anyone out before"! Luckily the SV's are spongy and shit, making them pretty forgiving, so when the front folds and the suspension unloads they often hook up again. Although I didn't make the spot back I felt pretty good about not hitting Dan. Finished the race in that spot, one position better on track than the previous races, but still 4th in F3.
So that was it, I had a ball but once again, made a right cock of myself with my big mouth. Cant wait for the next round where I can learn a bit more and go a bit faster.
Well done to all the guys in front of me, and all the racers for that matter.
A huge thanks to Chrissie, who generously put up my entry fees. Legendary girl, cant thank you enough.
To my lovely lady for all the help on the day, as well as Andries, and Drew for changing wheels and making sure the bike was ready.
Deano, for all the help getting the bike ready to race with me.
Robert Taylor once again, for his magic work on the suspension, and faultless back up service. To steel a line. "There can be only one", and when it comes to bouncy bits you're it.
And of course our sponsors listed below.
I know there are more people to thank, and I'm sorry for not mentioning names. It is pretty busy in a full pit, and I can barely remember my own name on race days.