White trash
26th May 2008, 09:45
Firstly, an apology. I shouldn't have been at the meeting. Sue wasn't happy about me going and once there, I realised that I really wasn't in the right head space for racing, much preferring to have been at home looking after my long suffering partner. To everybody that's thinking I'm an unsociable, moody cunt, I apologise to you too. Just really didn't want to be there.
Mike (From Easystart Rental Management) and I left Papakura just after five and had an uneventful cruise down to the track, got there and was absolutely amazed at the number of people there. The whole pit and paddock area was full, standing room only. Luckily Brian and Eddy had secured our garage and Mike unloaded the bike and all the gear while I stood in a very long sign in line. Had a riders briefing and after a minutes silence for the passing of Derek Hill, we were out for the first rounds racing.
Qualifying
Having not ridden at Taupo since we switched to the new Dunlops or had the motor work done to the GSXR, I had very little set-up data, so we left the setting identical to the Pukekohe Nationals, changing only the gearing. Only getting one 10 minute practiced qualifying due to the large fields in all classes, I decided just to cruise around, ride the bike, and go home in one piece. I followed Nick Cole, Carey Briar and Sloan for a few laps, before a crashed bike momentarily stopped the session. Went back out and drove past Nick and Carey now that my new tyre was scrubbed in and just rode around at a comfortable pace. The bike was slightly over geared for the track but it kept the power delivery less savage and easy to handle. Struggled a little for edge grip right out of the big turns but really everything felt very comfortable. Did a total of 6 laps, qualified on pole with a 1.34.002 which surprised me immensely. The laps just felt so slow.
Race one.
So they decided to start us of the lights, which I hate. They're impossible to anticipate but at least it's a level playing field. Got a good start and gently braked early for turn one, allowing Nick Cole, demon starter and super aggressive turn one racer, through on me. Slotted in behind him for a lap, just feeling the track and the bike, not wanting to repeat last years opening race. On lap two I out drove Nick easily then just settled down to a comfortable rhythm. Four lap races don't last very long and on gaining the white flag I had a quick glance behind me to see what was going on. I had a really comfortable gap on Carey so I just cruised around for a final lap with a couple of wheelies for good measure.
Race two
Made a couple of changes to the rear suspension to try and gain a little more edge grip on acceleration and went out for Race two, comfortable in the fact that we would run at the front again. Lights went out and the bike sort of spluttered as I launched which I thought was a bit weird. Got swamped by a few six hundys into turn one and almost kissed the back of Careys R1 but we all got through clean. Followed a couple of bikes for most of the lap, getting past a few and probably sitting about 6th. Blew past Derek McAdams ZX10 down the back straight along with Sam Smith. Onto the front straight and halfway down, the bike just died. I quickly slammed my hand on the deadman switch and it burst back into life in the braking zone, except I still had a big fistful of throttle. Managed to turn the bike, the R6 and the 10 getting back through. Regained my composure and chased them down through the infield, out dragging both bikes out of turn five and held them off through the hairpin, the bike shutting itself down again mid corner. Phil and Derek's tragic accident still in my mind, I coasted off to the side of the track and lent the bike up against the tyres. Was cool to watch Sloan lead the race for the most part until Carey got some clear space and unleashed the R1, easily winning the race and building a 22 point lead on me after the first round.
Gutted? Slightly. Things that just fail outside your control are the worst feeling, especially when you're running so competitively. But we know now that come Manfeild, we'll be as fast as anyone and 22 points isn't insurmountable in this series. Just means I simply can't afford to make a single mistake for the rest of the season. Carey's a very experienced racer and not one to fuck up often. It's gonna be a good winter.
Massive thanks to all my supporters, obviously the team behind WBP Racing, Wealth Buy Property and Easystart Rental Management. Dunlop for providing the shit hot tyres and of course Quasimoto for the leathers and constant repairs. All my pit mates who could tell I wasn't in a good frame of mind and let me be but still continued with the friendly rivalry throughout the day.
BIG thankyou to Riff raff for not giving me a hard time despite my totally selfish actions. I love you babe, wont let you down again.
Thanks to all the WBP Racing fans who continue to offer encouragement and congratulations, you guys rock and we love seeing you at the meetings. And of course VMCC, an admirable job performed under trying circumstances, fantastic effort.
Roll on Round 2 at Manfield on June 21, where WBP Racing will be back in force, team complete again and with a brand new member. Peace out.
Mike (From Easystart Rental Management) and I left Papakura just after five and had an uneventful cruise down to the track, got there and was absolutely amazed at the number of people there. The whole pit and paddock area was full, standing room only. Luckily Brian and Eddy had secured our garage and Mike unloaded the bike and all the gear while I stood in a very long sign in line. Had a riders briefing and after a minutes silence for the passing of Derek Hill, we were out for the first rounds racing.
Qualifying
Having not ridden at Taupo since we switched to the new Dunlops or had the motor work done to the GSXR, I had very little set-up data, so we left the setting identical to the Pukekohe Nationals, changing only the gearing. Only getting one 10 minute practiced qualifying due to the large fields in all classes, I decided just to cruise around, ride the bike, and go home in one piece. I followed Nick Cole, Carey Briar and Sloan for a few laps, before a crashed bike momentarily stopped the session. Went back out and drove past Nick and Carey now that my new tyre was scrubbed in and just rode around at a comfortable pace. The bike was slightly over geared for the track but it kept the power delivery less savage and easy to handle. Struggled a little for edge grip right out of the big turns but really everything felt very comfortable. Did a total of 6 laps, qualified on pole with a 1.34.002 which surprised me immensely. The laps just felt so slow.
Race one.
So they decided to start us of the lights, which I hate. They're impossible to anticipate but at least it's a level playing field. Got a good start and gently braked early for turn one, allowing Nick Cole, demon starter and super aggressive turn one racer, through on me. Slotted in behind him for a lap, just feeling the track and the bike, not wanting to repeat last years opening race. On lap two I out drove Nick easily then just settled down to a comfortable rhythm. Four lap races don't last very long and on gaining the white flag I had a quick glance behind me to see what was going on. I had a really comfortable gap on Carey so I just cruised around for a final lap with a couple of wheelies for good measure.
Race two
Made a couple of changes to the rear suspension to try and gain a little more edge grip on acceleration and went out for Race two, comfortable in the fact that we would run at the front again. Lights went out and the bike sort of spluttered as I launched which I thought was a bit weird. Got swamped by a few six hundys into turn one and almost kissed the back of Careys R1 but we all got through clean. Followed a couple of bikes for most of the lap, getting past a few and probably sitting about 6th. Blew past Derek McAdams ZX10 down the back straight along with Sam Smith. Onto the front straight and halfway down, the bike just died. I quickly slammed my hand on the deadman switch and it burst back into life in the braking zone, except I still had a big fistful of throttle. Managed to turn the bike, the R6 and the 10 getting back through. Regained my composure and chased them down through the infield, out dragging both bikes out of turn five and held them off through the hairpin, the bike shutting itself down again mid corner. Phil and Derek's tragic accident still in my mind, I coasted off to the side of the track and lent the bike up against the tyres. Was cool to watch Sloan lead the race for the most part until Carey got some clear space and unleashed the R1, easily winning the race and building a 22 point lead on me after the first round.
Gutted? Slightly. Things that just fail outside your control are the worst feeling, especially when you're running so competitively. But we know now that come Manfeild, we'll be as fast as anyone and 22 points isn't insurmountable in this series. Just means I simply can't afford to make a single mistake for the rest of the season. Carey's a very experienced racer and not one to fuck up often. It's gonna be a good winter.
Massive thanks to all my supporters, obviously the team behind WBP Racing, Wealth Buy Property and Easystart Rental Management. Dunlop for providing the shit hot tyres and of course Quasimoto for the leathers and constant repairs. All my pit mates who could tell I wasn't in a good frame of mind and let me be but still continued with the friendly rivalry throughout the day.
BIG thankyou to Riff raff for not giving me a hard time despite my totally selfish actions. I love you babe, wont let you down again.
Thanks to all the WBP Racing fans who continue to offer encouragement and congratulations, you guys rock and we love seeing you at the meetings. And of course VMCC, an admirable job performed under trying circumstances, fantastic effort.
Roll on Round 2 at Manfield on June 21, where WBP Racing will be back in force, team complete again and with a brand new member. Peace out.