Nicksta
31st March 2008, 11:43
PMCC Rd3 30 March 2008
Final round of Pacific club for the summer I was hoping to keep my top 5 placing. Forecast was for rain so I was quietly confident of keeping it and challenging for a podium. Totally excited about the final round and Frenchy’s first ever race meet the usual suspects Gah, Leong, Dave and I welcomed Tony.OK and SVR to the pit shed. Just my luck we woke to overcast skies but no rain in sight, bugger!
Practice:
Noticing a lack of SV’s in the field and many more 400’s I circulated behind Aby for a few laps figuring out what gearing to run in certain corners, overtook her and met up with Chris on the back straight, thanks for the little drag race dude :) Happy with the bike and handling I pulled in.
Race 1:
Grid positions were from championship standings supplied when we signed in. I was to be 2nd on the grid, sweet! Rocked up and there were 4 bikes already on the inside so too what should be 4th on the front row, 2 more bikes slot on to my left and I’m laughing already. Flag drops and I get a good start on the outside, manage to take a few but swung a bit wide in T1 loosing a few into T2, slotted in behind some SV’s only to be slowly picked off. Dave goes past and I remembered we were racing, trying to catch up I found myself grabbing a handful of breaks that wasn’t there and had to slow up as my brakes had gone totally spongy. Hearing Fynn behind me I try hard to keep in front, I think he was a gentleman in a few places cos you could have taken me dude! Checkered flag and I finish in 10th, better than the first round but no where near where I wanted to be. Thanks Frenchy for tweaking my brakes ready for race 2.
Race 2:
Inside on the 3rd row as per my 10th position I got stuck on the inside into T1 and watched half the field go round the outside. Lacking confidence in my brakes I braked too much into the tight ones loosing too much corner speed. Chris passed me and I settle in behind him. Missing 2nd into the chicanes more than once left me in 3rd coming onto the start straight and I’m loosing time, hitting neutral into T1 I rounded it in 1st gear 2 laps on a row (I’m glad VFR’s have a tall 1st gear!) Tom passes me late in the race and has a dice with Chris, no one behind me I cruise past the flag in 13th place.
Overall result:
10th for the day and 5th overall for the series. Not too bad for my first effort at F3 class and good experience for Vic Club against the SV’s. Was great pitting with you Gah and Dave throughout the series, cheers!
Big thank you goes to Frenchy for all your help and support, was awesome to see you out there too! Dave and Donna at Kiwibike Insurance, thank you for your continual support and encouragement. BIKESTORE for the new screen and last but not least Paul from Team CANBRACE/Shower Buddy, thank you for your wisdom and help thus far, I can’t wait for the winter series and the challenge of F3 and Post Classics!!
Final round of Pacific club for the summer I was hoping to keep my top 5 placing. Forecast was for rain so I was quietly confident of keeping it and challenging for a podium. Totally excited about the final round and Frenchy’s first ever race meet the usual suspects Gah, Leong, Dave and I welcomed Tony.OK and SVR to the pit shed. Just my luck we woke to overcast skies but no rain in sight, bugger!
Practice:
Noticing a lack of SV’s in the field and many more 400’s I circulated behind Aby for a few laps figuring out what gearing to run in certain corners, overtook her and met up with Chris on the back straight, thanks for the little drag race dude :) Happy with the bike and handling I pulled in.
Race 1:
Grid positions were from championship standings supplied when we signed in. I was to be 2nd on the grid, sweet! Rocked up and there were 4 bikes already on the inside so too what should be 4th on the front row, 2 more bikes slot on to my left and I’m laughing already. Flag drops and I get a good start on the outside, manage to take a few but swung a bit wide in T1 loosing a few into T2, slotted in behind some SV’s only to be slowly picked off. Dave goes past and I remembered we were racing, trying to catch up I found myself grabbing a handful of breaks that wasn’t there and had to slow up as my brakes had gone totally spongy. Hearing Fynn behind me I try hard to keep in front, I think he was a gentleman in a few places cos you could have taken me dude! Checkered flag and I finish in 10th, better than the first round but no where near where I wanted to be. Thanks Frenchy for tweaking my brakes ready for race 2.
Race 2:
Inside on the 3rd row as per my 10th position I got stuck on the inside into T1 and watched half the field go round the outside. Lacking confidence in my brakes I braked too much into the tight ones loosing too much corner speed. Chris passed me and I settle in behind him. Missing 2nd into the chicanes more than once left me in 3rd coming onto the start straight and I’m loosing time, hitting neutral into T1 I rounded it in 1st gear 2 laps on a row (I’m glad VFR’s have a tall 1st gear!) Tom passes me late in the race and has a dice with Chris, no one behind me I cruise past the flag in 13th place.
Overall result:
10th for the day and 5th overall for the series. Not too bad for my first effort at F3 class and good experience for Vic Club against the SV’s. Was great pitting with you Gah and Dave throughout the series, cheers!
Big thank you goes to Frenchy for all your help and support, was awesome to see you out there too! Dave and Donna at Kiwibike Insurance, thank you for your continual support and encouragement. BIKESTORE for the new screen and last but not least Paul from Team CANBRACE/Shower Buddy, thank you for your wisdom and help thus far, I can’t wait for the winter series and the challenge of F3 and Post Classics!!