HRC Day at Taupo

[KS34]

Firstly I would like to thank the Honda Riders Club for putting on a great day at the Taupo track yesterday. I am a dyed in the wool Suzuki boy from the day I was born, but I have to give credit where credit is due, these guys and girls from Honda put on a fantastic show!

I piled the van full of my, may need it, could need it and will never need it but it makes me feel better for having it stuff and left Lower Hutt on Saturday afternoon with no real expectations of how the next day would pan out with only a hint of scepticism about anyone other than Suzuki running anything worth going to. Arrived in Taupo ( yes the trip did go by quickly didn't it) and settled into to the Top10 camp, before I knew it I had the tent up and Kiwirider mag half read before realising the daylight had disappeared and my nose was skimming the page in order to see the words. Last note to myself, red at night sheppards delight, it was going to be a cracker tomorrow!

Got up nice and early, got myself presentable, really went overboard and went to a cafe for a good breakfast and then off to the track I went.
From the moment I hopped out of the van everyone was friendly and ready for a chat. (oh I love this motorcycle community!) It got even better after 5min at the track Aaron Slight was out on track power sliding a commodore ute (I think it's called sighting laps!)

The line up HRC had there was amazing, Fred Merkil (my spelling is BAD), Aaron Slight, Craig Sheriffs and sorry some others I am unable to remember. All the Guys that were helping out were great, approachable, friendly and very helpful. (this will take a while, I'll put my daughter to bed and carry this on soon) go get a cup of tea.;)

[KS34]

So I signed in and got the van unloaded and went over to wait for the rider briefing and ran into the ever approachable and friendly scuzeme! and with out a whim he invited me to join him in his fancy pit garage!! thanks dude you rock! But now I'm shitting planks:no: have I tightened every nut and bolt, havent riden for two months, havent riden the bike since the nice bloke at Freedom Suzuki (again name escapes me) fiddled the fueling to my own specs, not usually a good idea since I'm relying on advice and gut instinct and am I going to make a complete arse of myself and have pitlane laughing and pointing. As every though as soon as I flung my leg over my trusty love all was well and I was laughing at how silly I am. Now I must tell you the Taupo track in my opinion is stuffed for motorcycles as they have patched bits of the track and surrounded the patch which was described to me by Aaron as resin and believe me it feels like jelly when you ride over it, and gives you maybe 400mm between white line and patch to get the good line for a corner. That said though it is a track I love, and wouldnt dampen the day. As a summary I'd just like to say the gixxer was fantastic the day was hot and I was happy with my laps (had the lap timer with me) a 1:44.1 with a bit left in reserve, the people like Aaron and Fred could not have been better, again thanks to scuzeme and all the people I meet and had a chat to just helped make the day one I will remember as a cracker! I must also thank the Tuarangi Bakery/Cafe yes they sell Ripe Coffee so its a plug but they fed me on the way up and back and there pies are bloody good!!:niceone: If you read this I feel your pain but I had to share my very cool weekend, and it has made me pull finger and go sponsor kissing so I'm ready to do the complete winter series, but as yet not sure weather I do clubmans or harden up and try f1 your opinions are always welcome!

[roadracingoldfart]

That was a great read man , well done . :clap:
Its always good to hear the rules from legends like the names you dropped there and i hope you gained from it.

PS. harden up and F1 the thing. :dodge:

Paul.

[Tony.OK]

Yeah man always good to read someones buzzing report....................
And what he above said re F1................the more Suzook's behind me the better:laugh:

[NinjaBoy]

Good to see you were having a good time and great to meet you as well. The weather certainly turned it on and while most of the corners were a bit tricky I got use to them except the last turn onto the front straight.

The HRC days are generally well run and always enjoy them. Glad you did too.

Catch you at the Winter series then.

[scuzeme]

Ken

Good to see you carving it up mate good skills id say you were sitting round 5th or 6th fastest in the race group.
Great sharing a garage with you, i appreciate anyone that can get my f#$ked up sense of humour, most people just think im being a C@#t :laugh:

The only time i was competitive with you the whole day was outlasting you on the brakes down the back straight pity i ran off at the end Hahaaaa.

Cheers.

[Morepower]

Yeah man always good to read someones buzzing report....................
And what he above said re F1................the more Suzook's behind me the better:laugh:

were you there Tony , didnt see you ??

[7mmWSM]

I'd have to agree it was an awesome day. Bloody freezing Taupo weather first thing but turned out hot by lunch time.
I'd recommend to anyone reading this if you havn't done an HRC track day then you should. Its not every day you get to rub handlebars with the likes of Aaron, Freddie & Craig! All real approachable and all willing to help out with any questions.

[Clivoris]

Great read Ken. I have to get up there for one of these. If they treated you nice, imagine how they will treat a poor fool who owns 3 bloody Hondas?

[KS34]

Ha ha, red carpet me thinks! How did Frostys trackday with the new bike go Clive, DETAILS PLEASE!

[Sparky Bills]

The line up HRC had there was amazing, Fred Merkil (my spelling is BAD), Aaron Slight, Craig Sheriffs and sorry some others I am unable to remember. All the Guys that were helping out were great, approachable, friendly and very helpful. (this will take a while, I'll put my daughter to bed and carry this on soon) go get a cup of tea.;)


Dont forget that Martin Billing fulla....:headbang:

[KS34]

Ha ha too true, no one could ever forget ya big fella! You do need a Suzuki though!