Tony.OK
21st December 2008, 19:53
Well what a couple of days........................
I turned up Friday with very high expectations of getting into the 9's, that may have been a bit over zealous.
Since my last testday I've changed the front to Ohlins cartridges and am now running new rubber in the form of Conti Race Attacks.
After getting set up was keen to get out and do some quick times, the bike felt ok not being "dialed in" yet but the times were'nt very flash. Went out again and gave it a bit more and started to realise my setup wasn't so good as I was sliding the rear too much on exit.
The day was spent changing this and that searching for more grip, I managed to get Shaun H involved as well as Robert T, these guys know their shit.
Towards the end of the day I still wasn't totally happy so the rear shock was whipped out and the spring was changed ready for the races the next day.
Would just like to say a big thanks to Shaun and Robert for all their help before I forget.
Raceday.
After a shit nites sleep ( our neighbours at the motel started moaning and groaning for some reason:love: ) Carol and I turned up at the track and got to business.
I needed to swap out my front pads and adjust my fork height before scrutineering.
Next it was dressup time for bike in the form of some smart looking Conti logo's, was good to talk with Jay about the tyres too and find a few people were struggling with traction.
Then I grabbed Dr Bob to get my sags sorted before qualifying, top bloke!
Qualifying.
Holy shit.........................my front tyre warmer has burnt out and my fronts stone cold..............GREAT!!
I go out and go SLOW for 2 1/2 laps then hope like f*%k theres some temp in the front, no moments and I thought I'd gone ok.
When I came in Quasi has tracked down where to get some tyre warmers, onya mate. So went off to see the lads in the Moto Academy shed, good buch of guys in there, came away with a new set of www.tyrewarmers.co.nz warmers and a lighter wallet:shit:
2nd Qualifying.
Apparently there was some sort of mixup with the 1st qual session so another was called....................Manfeild need to look at upgrading the PA system, we couldn't hear a thing inside the new pit sheds, was late out for this one. Went ok but I think I was a bit shy about getting on the gas.
Race 1.
Shit man I'm on the grid with NZ's finest racers(and an Aussie), how fuking cool is that:Punk:
Turns out I'm 10th.........among present company I'm stoked.
For once I get a semi decent start and come out of turn 1 still looking at the fast boys........this is such a buzz chasing those that I've watched for years.
Then the red flag stops the race, hope those involved are ok.
We form up for the restart and I get another ok launch, coming out of turn 1 giving chase to a GSXR1000, this was fun, I had much better corner speed but was getting blocked exiting, managed to get inside going into Higgins but overcooked it slightly and he took me back, got a good drive coming onto the pit straight and made my pass stick. I then set about catching Jamie on the Yamaha, ran out of laps though.
Came in 8th..........Goal was a top 10 so wrapped again.
The weather was looking good so I decided to put a new Attack on my wet rim............................this was the kiss of death for the sunshine:bye:
I didn't have the energy or time to try and change everything over for wet racing..........................I was sort of relieved as I was feeling the effects of the previous day and little sleep. We decided that was enough so went and watched the epic battle of the F1 boys...............Glen you are one fly in the ointment to those big bikes in the rain.......well done mate.
So that was it..............alot of testing and still some work to do but that will be dictated by the ever decreasing limit on my accounts.
Wanganui is next..................that is going to be an experience for a newbie.
Thanks to Conti and Dannevirke Suzuki for their support, and a big :love: to my wife Carol for all her encouragement and help in the pits.
Ok long read.........................Until next time.....:done:
I turned up Friday with very high expectations of getting into the 9's, that may have been a bit over zealous.
Since my last testday I've changed the front to Ohlins cartridges and am now running new rubber in the form of Conti Race Attacks.
After getting set up was keen to get out and do some quick times, the bike felt ok not being "dialed in" yet but the times were'nt very flash. Went out again and gave it a bit more and started to realise my setup wasn't so good as I was sliding the rear too much on exit.
The day was spent changing this and that searching for more grip, I managed to get Shaun H involved as well as Robert T, these guys know their shit.
Towards the end of the day I still wasn't totally happy so the rear shock was whipped out and the spring was changed ready for the races the next day.
Would just like to say a big thanks to Shaun and Robert for all their help before I forget.
Raceday.
After a shit nites sleep ( our neighbours at the motel started moaning and groaning for some reason:love: ) Carol and I turned up at the track and got to business.
I needed to swap out my front pads and adjust my fork height before scrutineering.
Next it was dressup time for bike in the form of some smart looking Conti logo's, was good to talk with Jay about the tyres too and find a few people were struggling with traction.
Then I grabbed Dr Bob to get my sags sorted before qualifying, top bloke!
Qualifying.
Holy shit.........................my front tyre warmer has burnt out and my fronts stone cold..............GREAT!!
I go out and go SLOW for 2 1/2 laps then hope like f*%k theres some temp in the front, no moments and I thought I'd gone ok.
When I came in Quasi has tracked down where to get some tyre warmers, onya mate. So went off to see the lads in the Moto Academy shed, good buch of guys in there, came away with a new set of www.tyrewarmers.co.nz warmers and a lighter wallet:shit:
2nd Qualifying.
Apparently there was some sort of mixup with the 1st qual session so another was called....................Manfeild need to look at upgrading the PA system, we couldn't hear a thing inside the new pit sheds, was late out for this one. Went ok but I think I was a bit shy about getting on the gas.
Race 1.
Shit man I'm on the grid with NZ's finest racers(and an Aussie), how fuking cool is that:Punk:
Turns out I'm 10th.........among present company I'm stoked.
For once I get a semi decent start and come out of turn 1 still looking at the fast boys........this is such a buzz chasing those that I've watched for years.
Then the red flag stops the race, hope those involved are ok.
We form up for the restart and I get another ok launch, coming out of turn 1 giving chase to a GSXR1000, this was fun, I had much better corner speed but was getting blocked exiting, managed to get inside going into Higgins but overcooked it slightly and he took me back, got a good drive coming onto the pit straight and made my pass stick. I then set about catching Jamie on the Yamaha, ran out of laps though.
Came in 8th..........Goal was a top 10 so wrapped again.
The weather was looking good so I decided to put a new Attack on my wet rim............................this was the kiss of death for the sunshine:bye:
I didn't have the energy or time to try and change everything over for wet racing..........................I was sort of relieved as I was feeling the effects of the previous day and little sleep. We decided that was enough so went and watched the epic battle of the F1 boys...............Glen you are one fly in the ointment to those big bikes in the rain.......well done mate.
So that was it..............alot of testing and still some work to do but that will be dictated by the ever decreasing limit on my accounts.
Wanganui is next..................that is going to be an experience for a newbie.
Thanks to Conti and Dannevirke Suzuki for their support, and a big :love: to my wife Carol for all her encouragement and help in the pits.
Ok long read.........................Until next time.....:done: