Sully60
18th March 2008, 06:55
Be sure to check out my preview (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showpost.php?p=1475225&postcount=1) it gives some context to some of the following ravings.
We started Saturday fairly early and were packed and on the road at 7.45 and after a nice drive in the sun made it to the pits just after nine.
By this time there were many people already set up, tyre warmers, Ezy ups, deck chairs, generators all made this paddock in the middle of nowhere feel like this was the only place to be.
So we go through the usual sign in, riders briefing gear on procedure and get lined up for our familiarisation runs. I needed to really concentrate on learning the second half of the road as I had only completed the short course before.
The first thing to take note of was the repairs (or should I say randomised application of tar and chip patches) in the “valley” section made up of turns 3, 4 and 5. I was following a GSXR1000 and wore my fair share of the loose stones courtesy of the gixxers sticky rear tyre. I decide to pass on the exit of the Cliffhanger corner so I can start looking for reference points instead of keeping my head below the parapet.
I get through the top section which I vague memories of at best from riding it as a road , it’s going to be very fast and require serious commitment to maximise the speed though the timing trap.
We have another familiarisation run and then it’s into the timed runs.
My first run was fairly circumspect just trying to get the feel of the bike and the slick tyres. Rolling the throttle at the entries of the turns and not really using all the road I came in with a 2.39, an ok time first up but only a start point as there are many areas I now I can make up time.
Second run and it’s time to get into the real work. One of my main goals for the weekend was to take turn one flat out in top gear, I decided this was going to be the run. So as I set myself up to the left side of the road and start to tip in. The engine note changes as it bounces off the rev limiter in a false neutral between 5th and 6th gear :doh: so not this run. I put the behind me and come in 2 seconds faster than my first run.
Skidda has entered the fray by this stage and the friendly rivalry has begun. With each run he’s dropping 2 seconds and like me he’s getting more and more confident with the bike and is starting to get into the groove. I also drop 2 seconds every run and I finish the day still 2 seconds ahead.
Bring on Sunday!
I had a great time at the inaugural Rapa Rumble, probably too good but I was here to make the most of it.
Friday really made me aware that we need to maximise what we do with our time as we may not here take advantage of it tomorrow.
I was talking with Drew about our respective competition, his was fairly obvious but the F3 field was still waiting for one of the serious punters to make his run and with this in mind was Deano was afforded dark horse status.
So after not really sleeping properly it was time to start the serious riding.
The day had started like Saturday but quickly clouded over from the south and the temperature was quite a bit lower. This was a good thing at the stage as the road was starting to cut up on Saturday afternoon as the tar succumbed to the intense solar radiation.
So I put my first run in and straight away drop another 3 seconds from my time, I felt great on the bike and was stoked with this time, 2.31. My elation was tempered somewhat by the fact Skidda had pulled out nearly six seconds and was now also in the 31’s. Then I learned Deano on his first run had broken the into the 30’s.
I didn’t need to hear his time the little jig he was doing when I got to the top indicated he was very happy, this was going to be a good scrap!
During my first run I had noticed some rain spot on the visor just through the valley and the sky to the South was starting to get very dark. During the run back to the pits this developed into proper rain. This gave me the shits as if it stays the first runs of the day would be the fastest and that would see me third.
So I decided to get back on the road and try to get a fast time before the rain really set in. Unfortunately I was trying too hard and got into a couple of the valley corners a little deep and lost time so my next two runs were quite a bit slower, Deano and Skidda went faster again :argh:
The rain was only a short aberration and only affected one run then the sun came out and the wind speed increased. The wind was only really an issue on the first section through the open paddocks, it had a noticeable affect on the top speed heading up the hill and with this in mind I needed to make time through all the corners.
My fourth run comes together nicely and I break into the thirties. Still not quite good enough but we have two runs left.
Time trial competition is quite different to the circuit racing I’m more accustomed to. In a circuit race you can see (and touch :msn-wink:) the competition, hold them up and block them and use cunning tactics to beat faster bikes but here you just wait in the pits and have one shot to just do your best, all the psychological banter that goes on in the pits goes out the window when you’re on the startline waiting to go.
By the time of our final run both Deano and Skidda had two seconds on me and I knew it was going to be a tough ask to get those back but I gave it a good crack. I was already getting through turn one and the right hander at the end of the essess flat in top gear and everywhere else the bike was starting to move around quite a bit so I was pushing it along. I had made good time to the double rights before the bridge and got into the left hander after it faster than before. This extra speed meant the front got a little lighter than it had been previously and the bike started to tank slap violently enough to make me roll out of the throttle before tipping into the next right hander.:no:
I made it through the final section faster than I had all weekend and rolled to the tent at the finish line with the engine cut so I didn’t miss the radio call with my time.
2.30.53 was not enough to catch either Skidda or Deano (who dropped into the 26’s on his final run :niceone:) So I congratulated them both, shook their hands and headed off down the hill slightly disappointed but happy that I gave it everything it just wasn’t enough.
Overall what a fantastic weekend, I’d like to thank everybody involved but I’ve already used more than my fair share so this is the condensed list:
Number One. My biggest thanks are for you, you understand me like no one else and really made all this possible for me :love: you so much!
Drew: You know why.
Weaver, for being my ever present pit assistant, greatly appreciated mate!
Str8Jacket, for the biggest smile I've seen coming out of a fullface helmet, a reminder that we're all there to enjoy it first and foremost.
Deano and Skidda for being awesome competitors, despite the obvious benefits of fuel injection:bleh:
Gary, Dina, Deano and all the people involved with Cliffhanger promototions, you run a great event that is a real asset to road racing in this country, despite what old codgers in BMWs say.
Kendog and Mrs Kendog for your tireless efforts with the timing and results and keeping Number One company. And those photos Nigel, if only I could show you a photo of what it looked like from the riders perspective to see you on the inside of that right hander (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=89524&d=1205656990), phwoah!
Lissa and all the people who organised and cooked for the Rapa Rumble. I will be back next year but maybe not quite so indulgent.
And finally this one’s for Derek Hill, you will always be with us buddy, your memory lives on through racers like us. You are gone from this earth but will never be forgotten.
We started Saturday fairly early and were packed and on the road at 7.45 and after a nice drive in the sun made it to the pits just after nine.
By this time there were many people already set up, tyre warmers, Ezy ups, deck chairs, generators all made this paddock in the middle of nowhere feel like this was the only place to be.
So we go through the usual sign in, riders briefing gear on procedure and get lined up for our familiarisation runs. I needed to really concentrate on learning the second half of the road as I had only completed the short course before.
The first thing to take note of was the repairs (or should I say randomised application of tar and chip patches) in the “valley” section made up of turns 3, 4 and 5. I was following a GSXR1000 and wore my fair share of the loose stones courtesy of the gixxers sticky rear tyre. I decide to pass on the exit of the Cliffhanger corner so I can start looking for reference points instead of keeping my head below the parapet.
I get through the top section which I vague memories of at best from riding it as a road , it’s going to be very fast and require serious commitment to maximise the speed though the timing trap.
We have another familiarisation run and then it’s into the timed runs.
My first run was fairly circumspect just trying to get the feel of the bike and the slick tyres. Rolling the throttle at the entries of the turns and not really using all the road I came in with a 2.39, an ok time first up but only a start point as there are many areas I now I can make up time.
Second run and it’s time to get into the real work. One of my main goals for the weekend was to take turn one flat out in top gear, I decided this was going to be the run. So as I set myself up to the left side of the road and start to tip in. The engine note changes as it bounces off the rev limiter in a false neutral between 5th and 6th gear :doh: so not this run. I put the behind me and come in 2 seconds faster than my first run.
Skidda has entered the fray by this stage and the friendly rivalry has begun. With each run he’s dropping 2 seconds and like me he’s getting more and more confident with the bike and is starting to get into the groove. I also drop 2 seconds every run and I finish the day still 2 seconds ahead.
Bring on Sunday!
I had a great time at the inaugural Rapa Rumble, probably too good but I was here to make the most of it.
Friday really made me aware that we need to maximise what we do with our time as we may not here take advantage of it tomorrow.
I was talking with Drew about our respective competition, his was fairly obvious but the F3 field was still waiting for one of the serious punters to make his run and with this in mind was Deano was afforded dark horse status.
So after not really sleeping properly it was time to start the serious riding.
The day had started like Saturday but quickly clouded over from the south and the temperature was quite a bit lower. This was a good thing at the stage as the road was starting to cut up on Saturday afternoon as the tar succumbed to the intense solar radiation.
So I put my first run in and straight away drop another 3 seconds from my time, I felt great on the bike and was stoked with this time, 2.31. My elation was tempered somewhat by the fact Skidda had pulled out nearly six seconds and was now also in the 31’s. Then I learned Deano on his first run had broken the into the 30’s.
I didn’t need to hear his time the little jig he was doing when I got to the top indicated he was very happy, this was going to be a good scrap!
During my first run I had noticed some rain spot on the visor just through the valley and the sky to the South was starting to get very dark. During the run back to the pits this developed into proper rain. This gave me the shits as if it stays the first runs of the day would be the fastest and that would see me third.
So I decided to get back on the road and try to get a fast time before the rain really set in. Unfortunately I was trying too hard and got into a couple of the valley corners a little deep and lost time so my next two runs were quite a bit slower, Deano and Skidda went faster again :argh:
The rain was only a short aberration and only affected one run then the sun came out and the wind speed increased. The wind was only really an issue on the first section through the open paddocks, it had a noticeable affect on the top speed heading up the hill and with this in mind I needed to make time through all the corners.
My fourth run comes together nicely and I break into the thirties. Still not quite good enough but we have two runs left.
Time trial competition is quite different to the circuit racing I’m more accustomed to. In a circuit race you can see (and touch :msn-wink:) the competition, hold them up and block them and use cunning tactics to beat faster bikes but here you just wait in the pits and have one shot to just do your best, all the psychological banter that goes on in the pits goes out the window when you’re on the startline waiting to go.
By the time of our final run both Deano and Skidda had two seconds on me and I knew it was going to be a tough ask to get those back but I gave it a good crack. I was already getting through turn one and the right hander at the end of the essess flat in top gear and everywhere else the bike was starting to move around quite a bit so I was pushing it along. I had made good time to the double rights before the bridge and got into the left hander after it faster than before. This extra speed meant the front got a little lighter than it had been previously and the bike started to tank slap violently enough to make me roll out of the throttle before tipping into the next right hander.:no:
I made it through the final section faster than I had all weekend and rolled to the tent at the finish line with the engine cut so I didn’t miss the radio call with my time.
2.30.53 was not enough to catch either Skidda or Deano (who dropped into the 26’s on his final run :niceone:) So I congratulated them both, shook their hands and headed off down the hill slightly disappointed but happy that I gave it everything it just wasn’t enough.
Overall what a fantastic weekend, I’d like to thank everybody involved but I’ve already used more than my fair share so this is the condensed list:
Number One. My biggest thanks are for you, you understand me like no one else and really made all this possible for me :love: you so much!
Drew: You know why.
Weaver, for being my ever present pit assistant, greatly appreciated mate!
Str8Jacket, for the biggest smile I've seen coming out of a fullface helmet, a reminder that we're all there to enjoy it first and foremost.
Deano and Skidda for being awesome competitors, despite the obvious benefits of fuel injection:bleh:
Gary, Dina, Deano and all the people involved with Cliffhanger promototions, you run a great event that is a real asset to road racing in this country, despite what old codgers in BMWs say.
Kendog and Mrs Kendog for your tireless efforts with the timing and results and keeping Number One company. And those photos Nigel, if only I could show you a photo of what it looked like from the riders perspective to see you on the inside of that right hander (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=89524&d=1205656990), phwoah!
Lissa and all the people who organised and cooked for the Rapa Rumble. I will be back next year but maybe not quite so indulgent.
And finally this one’s for Derek Hill, you will always be with us buddy, your memory lives on through racers like us. You are gone from this earth but will never be forgotten.