Mudflaps
20th July 2010, 23:49
We all loaded up the van and headed up to Feilding for the track day early Friday morning. One way to def get to know your team mates is to all 3 of you sit in the front of a van for 2 hours!! Was good times. Pretty sure I've done my stint in the middle now though and am looking forward to having the window seat next time!! Thanks Chrissie:)
The track day was great!! Blue sky and no wind. Got a lot of laps in and learnt a whole lot. It's great having Craig around to teach me stuff. Was going a bit faster by the end of the day and felt a lot smoother which was great for the confidence!
Come Sat morning something had been spilt on the track and there was lime EVERYWHERE on pretty much every line. Didn't want it to effect me and went out with a clear head. Came in feeling good and qualified 4th on the grid!! Woo hoo!! Was very happy. Was gagging to get out there for the first race and see what I could piece together from the front row.
Race One
Was obviously very very worked up about getting a good start and trying to get out in front of those speedy Crofts. Jumped the start badly!! Was so pissed off at myself and would have filled a swear jar to the top by the first corner had I had one on my bike. Stayed in the front pack for the race and finished in 4th. EXCEPT...when you jump the start you get a 20 second penalty!!!!! I was gutted because I was happy with how I raced and blew it before I started!!! (Well, technically before anyone else had started!) Ended up dropping to 7th which I was super surprised and stoked about!!!
Race Two
Took a bit to get over the whole jump start thing but vowed not to let it happen again!! Got a better start, but bogged second gear and got passed by plenty of people before turn one. This wasn't part of my plan at all:) Had a reasonably clear track (read gap between me and the bike in front) up to the last lap when Drew Croft made his presence known on turn one. We had a cool as battle and both did a great pass on each other (well I think so any way), one on Higgins and one on Dunlop. It came down to a drag race which I just managed to win by the smallest of margins!! Finished in 6th! Cool as:)
Race Three
Got a better start again by my standards for the day, but still not good enough to keep out of the looming traffic. Passed a couple of people and had a never ending battle with a 250 which slowed me down a bit and stopped me from gaining on the guys (150) in front. Finished in 5th. Still very very happy as with that!! But know I can do better...just those pesky starts:)
Really happy with my results even though I did disappoint myself a bit ( ok, a lot ) with my jump start. Had a great time out there and can't get over how much fun racing is out there. Learning so much every time I go out, and seeming this was my second meet...I stoked!! I've set some goals and have a list of things to work on and think about for next time.
Loved the newly painted bike with it's new decals and all!!! Looks so good guys!! (Chrissie and Craig) Thanks heaps. You guys are fantastic and have given me a great opportunity. Love being around you both, even the ride home was awesome ha ha. Had as much fun then as I did racing which is saying a lot!!
Was cool to see people from last time and have some familiar faces around to talk to instead of wandering around not really knowing anyone like round two. A big thanks to the people who came to watch too!! So cool to have you there, esp. you Bert!! Your the man.
Bring on round four...new laps times...better starts...and just as much fun.
Dave
#16
Wfactor racing
www.wfactor.org
The track day was great!! Blue sky and no wind. Got a lot of laps in and learnt a whole lot. It's great having Craig around to teach me stuff. Was going a bit faster by the end of the day and felt a lot smoother which was great for the confidence!
Come Sat morning something had been spilt on the track and there was lime EVERYWHERE on pretty much every line. Didn't want it to effect me and went out with a clear head. Came in feeling good and qualified 4th on the grid!! Woo hoo!! Was very happy. Was gagging to get out there for the first race and see what I could piece together from the front row.
Race One
Was obviously very very worked up about getting a good start and trying to get out in front of those speedy Crofts. Jumped the start badly!! Was so pissed off at myself and would have filled a swear jar to the top by the first corner had I had one on my bike. Stayed in the front pack for the race and finished in 4th. EXCEPT...when you jump the start you get a 20 second penalty!!!!! I was gutted because I was happy with how I raced and blew it before I started!!! (Well, technically before anyone else had started!) Ended up dropping to 7th which I was super surprised and stoked about!!!
Race Two
Took a bit to get over the whole jump start thing but vowed not to let it happen again!! Got a better start, but bogged second gear and got passed by plenty of people before turn one. This wasn't part of my plan at all:) Had a reasonably clear track (read gap between me and the bike in front) up to the last lap when Drew Croft made his presence known on turn one. We had a cool as battle and both did a great pass on each other (well I think so any way), one on Higgins and one on Dunlop. It came down to a drag race which I just managed to win by the smallest of margins!! Finished in 6th! Cool as:)
Race Three
Got a better start again by my standards for the day, but still not good enough to keep out of the looming traffic. Passed a couple of people and had a never ending battle with a 250 which slowed me down a bit and stopped me from gaining on the guys (150) in front. Finished in 5th. Still very very happy as with that!! But know I can do better...just those pesky starts:)
Really happy with my results even though I did disappoint myself a bit ( ok, a lot ) with my jump start. Had a great time out there and can't get over how much fun racing is out there. Learning so much every time I go out, and seeming this was my second meet...I stoked!! I've set some goals and have a list of things to work on and think about for next time.
Loved the newly painted bike with it's new decals and all!!! Looks so good guys!! (Chrissie and Craig) Thanks heaps. You guys are fantastic and have given me a great opportunity. Love being around you both, even the ride home was awesome ha ha. Had as much fun then as I did racing which is saying a lot!!
Was cool to see people from last time and have some familiar faces around to talk to instead of wandering around not really knowing anyone like round two. A big thanks to the people who came to watch too!! So cool to have you there, esp. you Bert!! Your the man.
Bring on round four...new laps times...better starts...and just as much fun.
Dave
#16
Wfactor racing
www.wfactor.org