lukemillar
19th July 2010, 15:46
Bit of a mixed round for me. It was gonna be my first time out in F2 so I was pretty nervous to start with. Didn't really have any real goal for the weekend as I really just wanted to get a feel for the faster class, though improving a personal best would always be sweet.
Friday Practice
Hadn't been on the bike since round 1 so was keen to do Friday practice. Had great weather and after a few sessions was already into low19s/high 18s which was kind of were I left off after round 1. I had made a ride height change to compensate switching to a 190 rear (which turned out to be a mistake!) and everything felt pretty good.
F2 Qualify
Wet track, but bright sunshine! After wandering around the paddock trying to see which way most people are gonna swing with their tyres, I plump for wets front and rear. After losing the rear last time out in the wet, I'm a little cautious especially when we get told at the briefing there is crap all over the track. Take it far too easy and spend the session just sitting behind another rider to wind up 16th but over 2 secs slower than last time out in the wet.
F2 Race 1
Get an okish start but am on the outside of the track and get pushed wide in turn 1 over all the cement dust so roll off and end up last-ish! Spent the rest of the race catching and breathing down Wharfy's exhaust pipe, but he is quicker than me through Dunlop and pips me to the post. I am having really hassles in the faster corners rolling on the gas where the bike wants to run wide. Given the amount of crap on the track, this really hampers my drive as I can't get on the gas early enough. Best time was a mid 20s which wasn't great for me.
F2 Race 2
Again, pretty bad start but I'm very conscious this time to get over to the right side of the track and not repeat race 1/turn 1. Only this time, it happens to Darrin instead who has a bit of a out the seat moment and everyone takes avoiding action. Am quite far back now and still suffering from not being able to get on the gas because the bike runs wide. lonely race and still in the mid 20s. Starting to feel a little bit down now.
F2 Race 3
Decide that the ride height was working better where it was before and so make the change before race 3 which has a positive effect. Catch and hold on to Wharfy for the majority of the race again but laptimes are 1-2 secs better which is good, but still down on last time out in clubbies. Last few laps of the 3rd race, I actually felt like I was finally getting into my stride. Just too little too late.
Overall, not a bad weekend, but not great. First time out in F2 and I already picked up and learned a lot. Just trying to digest all the information now and move everything up a notch next time round.
Just hope that next time there isn't so much crap on the track! I know that everyone had to ride in the same conditions, but how people deal with it mentally makes a difference and it really bugged me as it was such an unknown quantity. Found myself scared to go off line and fight for a position for fear of ending up on a line of oil/cement. I guess experience will help with that.
Just like to say thanks to Motorad for sorting me out with tyres and and Mark for pit sharing. Now bring on round! 4 :yes:
Cheers
Luke
Friday Practice
Hadn't been on the bike since round 1 so was keen to do Friday practice. Had great weather and after a few sessions was already into low19s/high 18s which was kind of were I left off after round 1. I had made a ride height change to compensate switching to a 190 rear (which turned out to be a mistake!) and everything felt pretty good.
F2 Qualify
Wet track, but bright sunshine! After wandering around the paddock trying to see which way most people are gonna swing with their tyres, I plump for wets front and rear. After losing the rear last time out in the wet, I'm a little cautious especially when we get told at the briefing there is crap all over the track. Take it far too easy and spend the session just sitting behind another rider to wind up 16th but over 2 secs slower than last time out in the wet.
F2 Race 1
Get an okish start but am on the outside of the track and get pushed wide in turn 1 over all the cement dust so roll off and end up last-ish! Spent the rest of the race catching and breathing down Wharfy's exhaust pipe, but he is quicker than me through Dunlop and pips me to the post. I am having really hassles in the faster corners rolling on the gas where the bike wants to run wide. Given the amount of crap on the track, this really hampers my drive as I can't get on the gas early enough. Best time was a mid 20s which wasn't great for me.
F2 Race 2
Again, pretty bad start but I'm very conscious this time to get over to the right side of the track and not repeat race 1/turn 1. Only this time, it happens to Darrin instead who has a bit of a out the seat moment and everyone takes avoiding action. Am quite far back now and still suffering from not being able to get on the gas because the bike runs wide. lonely race and still in the mid 20s. Starting to feel a little bit down now.
F2 Race 3
Decide that the ride height was working better where it was before and so make the change before race 3 which has a positive effect. Catch and hold on to Wharfy for the majority of the race again but laptimes are 1-2 secs better which is good, but still down on last time out in clubbies. Last few laps of the 3rd race, I actually felt like I was finally getting into my stride. Just too little too late.
Overall, not a bad weekend, but not great. First time out in F2 and I already picked up and learned a lot. Just trying to digest all the information now and move everything up a notch next time round.
Just hope that next time there isn't so much crap on the track! I know that everyone had to ride in the same conditions, but how people deal with it mentally makes a difference and it really bugged me as it was such an unknown quantity. Found myself scared to go off line and fight for a position for fear of ending up on a line of oil/cement. I guess experience will help with that.
Just like to say thanks to Motorad for sorting me out with tyres and and Mark for pit sharing. Now bring on round! 4 :yes:
Cheers
Luke