Benk
11th November 2008, 09:34
Whoop, race cherry popped!
NZPCA GP at Taupo on Sunday. First of all racing is awesome. Much more fun than trackdays, makes regular life seem quite dull indeed.
Got there bright and early, sharing a garage with Chrislost and monsta56 both on VFRs which was choice.
Scrutineering went off without a hitch, the prep beforehand and Toms comprehensive checklist paid off, so the first half of the morning was pretty chilled out all in all. Although I did manage approximately 15 pisses before we went out for first practice.
First practice went well for me. I was determined not to crash on warm up after my dismal track day performance a month prior which saw me bin two bikes, one on my old mans tidy FZR1000 on the first corner of the warmup lap. Sigh. Anyway, everything felt pretty good and the suspension changes me and the old man made, did wonders for the feel of the bike. Nothing flash, put in bigger preload spacers in the front, more preload on the rear, and dropped the forks through the handlebars 10mm. Felt good, retained Toms fast steering, but had the bonus of more ground clearance and more fork travel, as it was sacking out for me on Toms settings.
They ended up scrapping the second practice, much to our garages relief, we were pretty much ready for action after the first one.
Lining up on the grid for the first time was a bit of an experience. I thought pole was on the other side of the track, so I pretty much didnt know where I was supposed to be. I thought there would be more time between between the red flag and the green flag coming up and going down so to say I was un prepared for the start was an understatement. Anyway, flag came down, I freaked out, revved it up, dumped the clutch and got a reasonable start (a classic case of 'more arse than class'). Bit of dicing on the first couple of corners and managed to make a couple of places so I was up into 5th. Got past a 2stroke coming onto the back straight. And the rest of the race was pretty lonely for me, which I was stoked about. No pressure on myself, which was something I was determined not to do, so that was good.
They ended up canning the second sprint race and went straight to the 12 lap GPs, due to time constraints.
By the time the second race finally came around I was on piss number 24, and ready for action. Lined up on the start grid. Was more prepared for the start this time, which was a bad thing it turned out, as I messed it up bigtime, and was dead last off the start line. Made up some places coming into the first corner though, and got up into 6th place. Chased down Terry or Trevor (sorry mate, im shit with names) on a tz350 for 3 or 4 laps gaining on the infield but getting smoked down the straights. Finally got him after the long left sweeper which flicks right. Had a peek behind and couldnt see him, made some mistakes as a result, but I thought he was well back (mistake), he got me on the back straight, and while I pulled him in a bit on the brakes he was still infront come the last series of corners, but I thought I would go hard on the next lap. Little did I know it was the last lap and he beat me. Was sweet to have a good battle with someone, and I learned some good lessons as a result.
VFRs did well in the Jnrs, with Chrislost taking out 3rd, and monsta56 winning it. Something to aspire to for sure.
Was running 1:51s for most of it, with some slower laps thrown in there for good measure. Ive done better times round Taupo, but I was more concerned about staying on there for the duration of the races, which I did so couldnt be happier!
Bring on the PMCC summer series!!!!!!
NZPCA GP at Taupo on Sunday. First of all racing is awesome. Much more fun than trackdays, makes regular life seem quite dull indeed.
Got there bright and early, sharing a garage with Chrislost and monsta56 both on VFRs which was choice.
Scrutineering went off without a hitch, the prep beforehand and Toms comprehensive checklist paid off, so the first half of the morning was pretty chilled out all in all. Although I did manage approximately 15 pisses before we went out for first practice.
First practice went well for me. I was determined not to crash on warm up after my dismal track day performance a month prior which saw me bin two bikes, one on my old mans tidy FZR1000 on the first corner of the warmup lap. Sigh. Anyway, everything felt pretty good and the suspension changes me and the old man made, did wonders for the feel of the bike. Nothing flash, put in bigger preload spacers in the front, more preload on the rear, and dropped the forks through the handlebars 10mm. Felt good, retained Toms fast steering, but had the bonus of more ground clearance and more fork travel, as it was sacking out for me on Toms settings.
They ended up scrapping the second practice, much to our garages relief, we were pretty much ready for action after the first one.
Lining up on the grid for the first time was a bit of an experience. I thought pole was on the other side of the track, so I pretty much didnt know where I was supposed to be. I thought there would be more time between between the red flag and the green flag coming up and going down so to say I was un prepared for the start was an understatement. Anyway, flag came down, I freaked out, revved it up, dumped the clutch and got a reasonable start (a classic case of 'more arse than class'). Bit of dicing on the first couple of corners and managed to make a couple of places so I was up into 5th. Got past a 2stroke coming onto the back straight. And the rest of the race was pretty lonely for me, which I was stoked about. No pressure on myself, which was something I was determined not to do, so that was good.
They ended up canning the second sprint race and went straight to the 12 lap GPs, due to time constraints.
By the time the second race finally came around I was on piss number 24, and ready for action. Lined up on the start grid. Was more prepared for the start this time, which was a bad thing it turned out, as I messed it up bigtime, and was dead last off the start line. Made up some places coming into the first corner though, and got up into 6th place. Chased down Terry or Trevor (sorry mate, im shit with names) on a tz350 for 3 or 4 laps gaining on the infield but getting smoked down the straights. Finally got him after the long left sweeper which flicks right. Had a peek behind and couldnt see him, made some mistakes as a result, but I thought he was well back (mistake), he got me on the back straight, and while I pulled him in a bit on the brakes he was still infront come the last series of corners, but I thought I would go hard on the next lap. Little did I know it was the last lap and he beat me. Was sweet to have a good battle with someone, and I learned some good lessons as a result.
VFRs did well in the Jnrs, with Chrislost taking out 3rd, and monsta56 winning it. Something to aspire to for sure.
Was running 1:51s for most of it, with some slower laps thrown in there for good measure. Ive done better times round Taupo, but I was more concerned about staying on there for the duration of the races, which I did so couldnt be happier!
Bring on the PMCC summer series!!!!!!