boostin
12th December 2007, 21:55
I went to the AMCC advanced rider training day on Sat to make sure the bike was working ok and get some track time. Go there early to get a covered pit in anticipation of the forecast rain, ended up needing it for the shade. It was a bit of a disapointment that the Med and Fast groups did not get their first sessions until after lunch, but still a good day. Went round and round and did not fall off, that makes it a good day for me.
Sunday I arrived early to get a covered pit again, this time I did need it for the rain. Got through sign on and scruttineering and then played the waiting game. Then I heard over the PA that they need 3 marshals before we can start racing. It seemed strange to me that the club could get this far into a race meeting and then say that they need 3 more marshals or we will not be going racing. I don't know the details of why they were short marshals, but I got the feeling that it had not just come up that morning (I could be very wrong).
Went out for a wet F3 practice. This was an interesting time for me because I have never ridden a bike bigger than a 250 in the wet. Let alone trying to push a 400 around a race track at pace. Just took it easy trying to find my way. I managed to nearly highside it coming out of castrol, and got it drifting coming over the hill. Having never had a bike drifting under power it sure did open my eyes a little. Managed to qualify 12th with some awful time.
Race 1: By this time the track way dry. I had a couple of goals for the day, one was not to finish last, and the other was for get a lap time under 1:15. I managed both in this race. It was a fairly uneventful race with no one really in front of me for the whole race, not sure if there was anyone close behind me but I don't think so. Ended up 13th out of 17 starters with a best time of 1:14 flat.
In between my two races I went to the stands and watched some racing, was good to see what it all looks like from the stand.
Race 2: Wet again...when we made it to the grid after the warm up lap I noticed there were only about 8 or so people on the grid (later I found out quite a few started from pit lane)...it crossed my mind that I might manage a top 10 finish, all I have to do is not bin it. Went round and round really slowly just wanting to finish the race. Ended up 10th with a 1.27 best time...ha.
Was a really good weekend over all. Got my goals completed for the weekend. Thanks to Daryll(Hoon) for lending me your spare CDI to use, without it I would have been stuffed. Also thanks to Hunt my mate who came out both days to help me out even though he hates getting up early on weekends.
Next time I just need to grow bigger balls coming up to and going over the hill, and going into Jennian.
Sunday I arrived early to get a covered pit again, this time I did need it for the rain. Got through sign on and scruttineering and then played the waiting game. Then I heard over the PA that they need 3 marshals before we can start racing. It seemed strange to me that the club could get this far into a race meeting and then say that they need 3 more marshals or we will not be going racing. I don't know the details of why they were short marshals, but I got the feeling that it had not just come up that morning (I could be very wrong).
Went out for a wet F3 practice. This was an interesting time for me because I have never ridden a bike bigger than a 250 in the wet. Let alone trying to push a 400 around a race track at pace. Just took it easy trying to find my way. I managed to nearly highside it coming out of castrol, and got it drifting coming over the hill. Having never had a bike drifting under power it sure did open my eyes a little. Managed to qualify 12th with some awful time.
Race 1: By this time the track way dry. I had a couple of goals for the day, one was not to finish last, and the other was for get a lap time under 1:15. I managed both in this race. It was a fairly uneventful race with no one really in front of me for the whole race, not sure if there was anyone close behind me but I don't think so. Ended up 13th out of 17 starters with a best time of 1:14 flat.
In between my two races I went to the stands and watched some racing, was good to see what it all looks like from the stand.
Race 2: Wet again...when we made it to the grid after the warm up lap I noticed there were only about 8 or so people on the grid (later I found out quite a few started from pit lane)...it crossed my mind that I might manage a top 10 finish, all I have to do is not bin it. Went round and round really slowly just wanting to finish the race. Ended up 10th with a 1.27 best time...ha.
Was a really good weekend over all. Got my goals completed for the weekend. Thanks to Daryll(Hoon) for lending me your spare CDI to use, without it I would have been stuffed. Also thanks to Hunt my mate who came out both days to help me out even though he hates getting up early on weekends.
Next time I just need to grow bigger balls coming up to and going over the hill, and going into Jennian.