flame's ducati debut

[flame]

Thursday night after the drive to Fielding I set eyes on my completed Ducati for the first time. I couldn't believe what an amazing job everyone had done on the bike. When Rob from Anglo American handed over me the key I had to make the excuse of having dust in my eyes.:crybaby:

TEST DAY....rode the bike for the first time expecting to have a few teething probs as it hadn't been tested yet since arriving damaged from Japan. Everything seemed fine engine wise but the clutch didn't feel right, and on inspection back in the pits we found our dry clutch was leaking oil:shit: found some loose bolts inside it and figured it was the problem. The handling of the bike blew me away, after riding the Aprilia like a squid coz it liked to steer it's own line off the tarmac out of most corners, this 749 is pure magic!

QUALIFYING... took off still taking it easy and getting to know the bike (didn't want to bin it on my first weekend and see grown men....and me cry) I tried to start putting power down, but the the clutch was slipping badly again and I just couldn't get enough drive out of the corners. Qualified 15th with times around 1:24's

RACE ONE... Clutch had got worse and I was loosing more drive, struggling to get past Dave on the Hyosung down the straights I knew something was definately wrong but just tried to work on getting my corner speed up for the rest of the race. Finished around 7th I think with times in the 1:22's and 3's.

Oil was leaking through the clutch cover badly when I got back to the pits and that, on a bike with a dry clutch had me concerned I should have come in earlier...."oh hell.......Ive broke my clutch" $$$$$$$$$$.:pinch: Clutch was pulled apart to find O'rings were perished letting the oil seep through and all over the clutch plates:doh: 'never fear'....the crew told me, and new o'rings and lots of brake clean later she was all sweeeeeeeeet.

RACE TWO (a)... A better start and LOTS more drive let me get through from into 6th place on the first lap, had a battle with Aria as she came up on my inside so put my head down and decided it was time to forget the Aprilia's bad habits, have some faith, and shake some arse! Battled with some others, had a blast, race got red flagged, but finished 5th doing 1:20's came in for the re-start...man it was hot! sitting on the grid, leathers all stuck to ya YUK!

RACE TWO(b)... Much better start, went from Position 15 on the grid to 2nd place in lap one, got a bit of a gap on the field for a bit I think, was working on getting smoother and brakeing a little later each corner, but then oh NO!!! where the hell did they come from.....A big black Duke suddenly pounced on me and near cut me off the sweeper...(I'll get you back :msn-wink:) and I did!!!:spanking:, but not the other bike that sneaked past, however the race was redflaged and the positions were called from the prior lap. So I held 2nd place for that race. STOKED!

RACE THREE...Aimed to repeat the last race. Got off the grid ok, (need to work on my launches the duke has a high first gear)...Couldn't get through the field so well this time and the front runners got away. Had an awsome battle with Aria for a couple of laps (that was awesome fun Aribum:woohoo:) I had my sights set on the Kwaka ahead and somehow I managed to get away, caught the ZX6 and had some great battles (thanks dude....I'll get you next time!!!!) and finished the line in 5th. With a personal best ever laptime of 1:19.8.

I couldn't have dreamed of a better first weekend with my new partner in crime. Its the most beautiful bike to ride, it's so planted, and it rides on rails. the suspension, brakes, and whole dam package has so much to teach me. and i cant wait.

I have to say 'Luke'.....well done lil bro Mair!! your stomping out there in such a short time:niceone:
I cant find enough words to thank all my sponsors. Kerry (KTL bikes), Rob and Cherry,Grant,Terry (Anglo American Motorcycle Club), Kerry from Ohlins, Jimbo for risking his life to take pics! VMCC for such an amazing lot of work they do. And the crazy awesome Drew, for your determination in getting my bike ready for this round.

...even though you make me feel so blardy slow out there after watchin you ride anything and everything so DAM fast!!!

And to all my fantastic supportive friends! your awsome:love:

I have just had the most fun on a racetrack ever. I'm really looking forward to more time on the Duc so he can teach me to ride like he should be ridden :)
Roll on Taupo!

[Her_C4]

Great write up V, and fantastic laptimes. :msn-wink:

Congratulations on your new beast - looks the part I must say... :niceone:

[Joni]

Yay!!!! You go girl..... :2thumbsup

The bike looks great! (also does not hurt that there is a sexy crumpet on the seat either)

I cant wait to see you carving up the South Island tracks :wari:

[vifferman]

I couldn't have dreamed of a better first weekend with my new partner in crime.
No?
So what about the oil leaking past the perished O-rings onto the clutch?
I suppose it was good that you found out about that sooner rather than later.

Anyway, that was a good write-up. :niceone:
Oh - and congrats on the new racebike!

[skelstar]

You were awesome to watch Vicki. Its a pity that you didn't get to experience the enthusiasm for your racing up on the bank/stand...it was loud and honest (and a bit embarrasing). Soo many people want you to do well and see you kick arse.

Kerry, Rob, Cherry et al are bloody awesome huh :yes: you're a lucky chick but you really deserve it.

Can't wait for Taupo, and cheers for giving us the butt-wiggle in pit lane eh :)

[Toast]

:niceone: Saw the restart of race two and you were lookin real good (didn't know it was you at first but from the amount of noise Drew was making in the stands it became pretty obvious). Keep it up!

[Fatjim]

Excellent news chook.

Bike looks a cracker in black.

[cowpoos]

fuck you were moving out there doll!!! looked heaps better than on that other thing!! ;)
and that bike looks sooooooo priddy!! and it makes your arse look slim too!!

[Keystone19]

Fantastic Vicky! The new bike looks stunning and you are going to kick some arse on that baby! Can't wait to watch!

[Trudes]

That's so cool V, you deserve it too!! Loved seeing the pics of you dealing to Manfield on it, awesome!!!:niceone:

[Darkman]

Great stuff Vicky......sorry i could not watch you on Sunday but were looking great on Saterday.

[Rossi Gal]

Ohh baby!! you were smoking hot out there!!!! sooo much fun playing wif you! your sponsors are great! so very you! hehe. Bring on Taupo!!! ;)

[scracha]

You were strutting about with a shit eating grin all weekend. And no wonder. Nicely done.

[Nicksta]

awesome stuff chick!
your new baby looked awesome out there.... even close up in the chicanes ;)
your team's put together a beautiful bike.... (i know bikes cant be beautiful but :) )
well done and see you next round!

[koba]

Great stuff, It was excellently entertaining to watch some of the battles you got going on, the one with luke at one point was a stunner!

[koba]

No?
So what about the oil leaking past the perished O-rings onto the clutch?


Hey, cut it some slack, they can't be as good as jap bikes in every area.. :bleh:

[speed63]

Very nice bike. Great to watch in action close up. you were getting good drive out of corners with that V twin stonk.

[chanceyy]

Damn nice bike there Vicki .. & a damn nice girl to ride it .. blardy awesome weekend & you did the team proud for sure .. watching ya progress with interest for sure :yes: :first:

[Str8 Jacket]

Fuckin awesome Vicki! You were flying out there, it was awesome to watch you battle it out, out there!!!

[limbimtimwim]

So what about the oil leaking past the perished O-rings onto the clutch?Lack of use they reckoned, they'd just dried out.

[Nasty]

Great ride report Flame ... you do look kinda hot on that baby out on the track :)

[flame]

Thanks so much for the kind supportive words guys and gals. It really means tons to me :yes: Now I just gotta improve on lots of things for next round in three weeks:)

[Rashika]

HEY! you stole my race number.... :spanking:


oh well, I guess you can borrow it for a time seeing as its going on such a nice wee machine... and a good rider :2thumbsup
on ya chicky :wari:

[surfchick]

sooo -
awesome -great pics too
faaark...so jealous... I'm having a mare watching you girls racing from the sideline... so very curious about racing one might say... I've never ever been on the race track:baby: :( but i guess there's always this summer :devil2:

i hope your ride stays sharp! will also keep watching yo threads..

[Kendog]

You rocked out there and really are a great photography subject.

Here are some pics of your dice with Rossi Gal plus one with limbimtimwim.

[flame]

You rocked out there and really are a great photography subject.

Here are some pics of your dice with Rossi Gal plus one with limbimtimwim.
Awwwww thanks heaps Nigel! awesome pics, good shot of compressed forks and making my bum stick up in the air lol

[Riff Raff]

Good stuff Vickibum. Gutted I wasn't there to watch. And tell your manbitch I'm not happy that he didn't text me updates that he promised he would.

[Drew]

My belateds updates were good tho eh RR.

Well done babe, you were flyin out there, was so proud of you, everyone within fifty feet of my in the stands knows it too. (I might have been a wee bit vocal).:2thumbsup

[Deano]

(I might have been a wee bit vocal).:2thumbsup

Ya reckon ?

Great to see you getting to grips with the new bike so quickly Vicki - you really looked comfortable on it.

[limbimtimwim]

Indeed. Your pace out of turn one was incredible.

[driftn]

You sure did have a good ride girl. Must say scared the piss out of me we you came past. Was awesome doing battle with you girl bring on Taupo you wont be so lucky:bleh:

[Lissa]

Great Photos... Cool Bike V!!! :2thumbsup Damn I missed Manfield :crybaby: but I'll see you in action at Taupo! Will catch up this weekend I hope.. got something to bring over to you. :)

[Frenchy]

Wicked stuff sounds like your carving up on your new machine can't wait to see you out there on it in person!!:mobile:

[flame]

You sure did have a good ride girl. Must say scared the piss out of me we you came past.

Oh yer....that hairpin pass.....not a good time to find out I can do a wobbly rolling stoppie eh LOL. Awsome fun doing battle with you. Now I just have to try and stay within your reach at Taupo! and that ain't going to be easy:scratch:

[flame]

Wicked stuff sounds like your carving up on your new machine can't wait to see you out there on it in person!!:mobile:

Cheers Frenchy,not quite carving up....but a lot of fun though all the same:yes:, Ive got a bit of work ahead of me at Taupo methinks. Hopefully see ya there!

[roadracingoldfart]

Apart from the great racing you did it was not compulsary to keep watching you as anything you did made Drew yell and holler to us all and we quickly turned our heads in an orderly fashion just like a tennis match to see just what you were doing.
It was hilarious at times but we all loved it heaps. You went very very well for the first time out on the bike and you have a great team of helpers (vocal and physical) that appear to be dedicated to your success.
Go hard and see you at Taupo.

Paul.

[Drew]

you have a great team of helpers (vocal and physical) that appear to be dedicated to your success.


Paul.

Are you saying I've got a great voice, and look great? How nice of you to notice, I have been working out ya know:apint:

[roadracingoldfart]

Are you saying I've got a great voice, and look great? How nice of you to notice, I have been working out ya know:apint:



Nooooo, What i was saying is , you have a very commanding voice :mega:for a non amplified human and we cant help but notice you jumping around.
By the way ..... which bits did you give the work out too ???? you hide it well.:buggerd::drinknsin

Seriously though , sit down and shut up :not::rofl:

[Drew]

Nooooo, What i was saying is , you have a very commanding voice :mega:for a non amplified human and we cant help but notice you jumping around.
By the way ..... which bits did you give the work out too ???? you hide it well.:buggerd::drinknsin

Seriously though , sit down and shut up :not::rofl:

LOL, right you are then, head shrinking back to proportionate size.

[limbimtimwim]

Drew, I could hear you as I turned into Higgins.

[Drew]

Drew, I could hear you as I turned into Higgins.

Your bike did have a standard pipe tho.

[skelstar]

Your bike did have a standard pipe tho.
Yeah, but your pipe is standard too!

[Drew]

Yeah, but your pipe is standard too!

Yeah, but my lung capacity is far less than 400cc.

[flame]

Apart from the great racing you did it was not compulsary to keep watching you as anything you did made Drew yell and holler to us all and we quickly turned our heads in an orderly fashion just like a tennis match to see just what you were doing.
It was hilarious at times but we all loved it heaps. You went very very well for the first time out on the bike and you have a great team of helpers (vocal and physical) that appear to be dedicated to your success.
Go hard and see you at Taupo.

Paul.

Cheers Paul, was a ton of fun out there:ride: See you at Taupo for sure :) (and I'll give you some ductape for Drew:shutup:)

[Cherryrob]

Hey Vicki ,.When you went out for the first time on the 749r we were all a pack of nerves,hopeing you would like the bike and that we had set it up right(nothing falling off) as it had been very tight ,time wise ,getting it ready.I was in a panic thursday morning ,as it still had not been to the sign writers ,so what hair i had left was being pulled out,but it happened.So on behalf of the Anglo American Motorcycle club thankyou for doing us proud and struting your stuff.........

[Drew]

Hey Vicki ,.When you went out for the first time on the 749r we were all a pack of nerves,hopeing you would like the bike and that we had set it up right(nothing falling off) as it had been very tight ,time wise ,getting it ready.I was in a panic thursday morning ,as it still had not been to the sign writers ,so what hair i had left was being pulled out,but it happened.So on behalf of the Anglo American Motorcycle club thankyou for doing us proud and struting your stuff.........

Less of the stuff struting, more of the riding eh???

Cheers Rob, give ya missus a big wet kiss for me.

[skelstar]

So on behalf of the Anglo American Motorcycle club thankyou for doing us proud and struting your stuff.........
Think you guys are pretty awesome for giving Vicki this opportunity, and I know I'm not the only one.

[Drew]

Think you guys are pretty awesome for giving Vicki this opportunity, and I know I'm not the only one.

Yep, awesome awesome awesome.

[flame]

Hey Vicki ,.When you went out for the first time on the 749r we were all a pack of nerves,hopeing you would like the bike and that we had set it up right(nothing falling off) as it had been very tight ,time wise ,getting it ready.I was in a panic thursday morning ,as it still had not been to the sign writers ,so what hair i had left was being pulled out,but it happened.So on behalf of the Anglo American Motorcycle club thankyou for doing us proud and struting your stuff.........

Awwww thankyou so much. I am totally privilaged and honered to be riding for you guys. You all did an amazing job with the bike Rob, was good to see you still had a weeeeeeny bit of hair left after the weekend :msn-wink: Though I'm sure Cherry and I can take care of the rest of it for you at Taupo LOL. The bike felt and was FANTASTIC to ride.

Seriously...... I'll be doing my best to make every race as enjoyable for you as it is for me. I promise to do my best to try to improve, and see if we can make our bike a 'star':niceone:

[booradley]

rockstar super drew

[deanohit]

Saw you both racing at Taupo, those are some nice looking and awesome sounding bikes.

[flame]

Saw you both racing at Taupo, those are some nice looking and awesome sounding bikes.

Cheers deanohit,

Unfortunately I couldn't get my groove on around Taupo in such a short amount of laps, 2 x 4 lap races just wasn't enough to get the hang of it for me. I was disapointed in my effort, not just for me, but for all that came to support both Drew and I. Will make sure I get to do the test day next time though and get up to pace out there before the racing begins.

Still had a ball though, and once again, thanks to my fantastic sponsors who are also great friends and a busybee pitcrew for their huge support, encouragement and dedication to Drew and I.

And what an awsome pit team we have, Deano, Simon, Luke and Stevie, and all our supportive friends, it really helps make a fantastic day sharing it with you guys :)

And to my bike....the gorgeous 749 R.....I'm sorry I let you down a bit this round, but we have still got a lot of getting to know each other ahead of us, and Im gonna 'ride the arse' off you this Saturday at the track day and get the chance to learn just what we can do :bleh:

[Stickchick]

So no race report from you then?

[flame]

So no race report from you then?

Yep I was going to do one when I get a bit more time. Not too much to report, except that I had a blardy ball on the bike :), and didn't have any scary moments which means I was quite possibly truely riding like a gurl LOL. I got the hang of the track on the last lap of the last race......and wondered what the hell I had been doin up until then:doh: Must make the effort to get up to the test day next time to get some practice in.
But for my second ever time on the bike Im still blown away with what she can do, so Im really looking forward to a full track day this coming weekend so I get the chance to learn all about her without the raceday pressures.

Great weekend once again though, so many people supporting me and I just cant thank them enough. To my sponsors, friends and supporters, I was hoping for a top 5 finish this round, but 2 x 10ths were all I could manage this time.
Well done to all of my competitors, Aria and Luke you were rockin out there and Aria you really deserved your overall placing! Congrads to you hun! you have come ahead in bounds this year:niceone: Im sure looking forward to dicing with you again real soon :)

[Her_C4]

But for my second ever time on the bike and your first time back on taupo track for a while - 2x 10th placings for two short (4 lap?) races is very good indeed. Sorry I couldn't be there to watch the fun :niceone: but look forward to reading the write up none the less.

Are you going to be at Manfeild on Sunday V? Love to catch up then and watch you guys practice.:yes: