Toast
22nd July 2007, 22:07
Interesting weekend for me. Didn't improve on last time and drop below 18's like I'd planned to, but learnt heaps in the process of getting back to the 18's after a shocking start.
Test Day: Had a new front tyre to scrub in. It rained all day...great! Wasn't that confident but eventually got the chicken strips mostly off.
Softened the rear pre-load by a half turn to get some rear grip, 'cos the bike back end was at times sliding in to turns (front was rock solid), and was not giving me any drive out of them. Wish I'd written that change down on the tank.
Race Day: Wet in the morning still. Qualifying felt crap, but wound up 11th in F2 and 20th in F1, which I felt lucky with.
For the first 2 races I just couldn't get the bike to hold a line with any power on. Was getting well pissed off and was lapping around 1:22 or so.
Then remembered about the rear shock adjustment I'd made, so cranked it half a turn harder. Got back to a 1:20.
Missed the call for the 2nd Superbike race, was a bit pissed about that, but was so tired from the test day that it probably was a good thing for me to have a bit of a feed and some rest.
Was feeling so much happier with the bike after that adjustment that I cranked it half a turn harder again, which is all of the adjustment that it had.
Went out for the final F2 race and instantly felt better. Got back down to a 1:18.7 by the end of it. Still making heaps of mistakes, but was trusting the front more and carrying at least 20km/h more out of the sweeper on to the front straight. Got 9th place, so I guess that means my first top 10 at VMCC :p Not too excited though, as it was a diminished field.
Swore to myself that I'd break in to the 17's in the last F1 race.
Went out, warmed up, feeling good. Got one of my worst starts of the day. Ended up in about 14th at the first corner I think. Oh well, just wanted to get that bloody 17. Got passed by some dude on a litre bike, and then by Angry Barry on his Aprillia. Started goin pretty hard, and was making decent progress, winding the Aprillia in big time on the brakes, gaining some on the infield, not losing any out of the hairpin, but then getting smoked out of Higgins. I've finally got a tighter line coming out of there, but desperately need to find some cajones when it comes to getting on the power. I'm easily losing a second right there, and almost everyone is hard on the gas a good 30m earlier. Anyway, wound up with a 1:18.2, which I was a bit gutted with as it was slower than last month.
So, an interesting day after all is done. Didn't achieve my aim of sub 18's, but given the 300+ lap old rear tyre and the fact that the lead guys in F2 were around a second slower than last month, maybe it's ok that I stayed in the same range as last time. At least I learnt a bit more about bike setup, and am sure that I can break in to the 17's next time (whenever we get back on the short track). Stoked with my starts. Was 6th in to the first corner in one of the earlier races. Got swamped after that as I ran wide out of it, but am happy that once my pace does up, I'll be able to start well enough to show it.
Was an awesome day watching the racing in all classes. Clubmans had some awesome battles!
Thanks heaps to Dad for coming down to help out with the pit stuff. Mum for bringing me fried rice, Steevie, Glen and Nick for pit help. Will be back next month for some more action!!
Test Day: Had a new front tyre to scrub in. It rained all day...great! Wasn't that confident but eventually got the chicken strips mostly off.
Softened the rear pre-load by a half turn to get some rear grip, 'cos the bike back end was at times sliding in to turns (front was rock solid), and was not giving me any drive out of them. Wish I'd written that change down on the tank.
Race Day: Wet in the morning still. Qualifying felt crap, but wound up 11th in F2 and 20th in F1, which I felt lucky with.
For the first 2 races I just couldn't get the bike to hold a line with any power on. Was getting well pissed off and was lapping around 1:22 or so.
Then remembered about the rear shock adjustment I'd made, so cranked it half a turn harder. Got back to a 1:20.
Missed the call for the 2nd Superbike race, was a bit pissed about that, but was so tired from the test day that it probably was a good thing for me to have a bit of a feed and some rest.
Was feeling so much happier with the bike after that adjustment that I cranked it half a turn harder again, which is all of the adjustment that it had.
Went out for the final F2 race and instantly felt better. Got back down to a 1:18.7 by the end of it. Still making heaps of mistakes, but was trusting the front more and carrying at least 20km/h more out of the sweeper on to the front straight. Got 9th place, so I guess that means my first top 10 at VMCC :p Not too excited though, as it was a diminished field.
Swore to myself that I'd break in to the 17's in the last F1 race.
Went out, warmed up, feeling good. Got one of my worst starts of the day. Ended up in about 14th at the first corner I think. Oh well, just wanted to get that bloody 17. Got passed by some dude on a litre bike, and then by Angry Barry on his Aprillia. Started goin pretty hard, and was making decent progress, winding the Aprillia in big time on the brakes, gaining some on the infield, not losing any out of the hairpin, but then getting smoked out of Higgins. I've finally got a tighter line coming out of there, but desperately need to find some cajones when it comes to getting on the power. I'm easily losing a second right there, and almost everyone is hard on the gas a good 30m earlier. Anyway, wound up with a 1:18.2, which I was a bit gutted with as it was slower than last month.
So, an interesting day after all is done. Didn't achieve my aim of sub 18's, but given the 300+ lap old rear tyre and the fact that the lead guys in F2 were around a second slower than last month, maybe it's ok that I stayed in the same range as last time. At least I learnt a bit more about bike setup, and am sure that I can break in to the 17's next time (whenever we get back on the short track). Stoked with my starts. Was 6th in to the first corner in one of the earlier races. Got swamped after that as I ran wide out of it, but am happy that once my pace does up, I'll be able to start well enough to show it.
Was an awesome day watching the racing in all classes. Clubmans had some awesome battles!
Thanks heaps to Dad for coming down to help out with the pit stuff. Mum for bringing me fried rice, Steevie, Glen and Nick for pit help. Will be back next month for some more action!!