johan
19th May 2009, 14:00
Superbike Class on a Ducati 998
After having done PMCC round here last month, with very disappointing results, I was looking forward to try the track again with some new ideas of how to go faster.
I have had a problem with holding the line while leaned over getting on the gas through long sweepers, such as turn 8. It was even more a problem down at Ruapuna.
Crown Kiwi Technical, Robert and Denis, had helped me fit a firmer spring on the shock earlier in the week, and then measure it up and did the clicker dance at the track. Thank you guys!
Qualifying Superbike:
- "It's wet, so lets go out with slicks"
I did one lap slowly sliding around. Then I thought I could come into the pit and change to wets and still have time for a qualifying lap. Wrong. By the time I got back on the track again I saw the checker flag waving and all I could do was to cruise around just to come straight back into the pit again.
I qualified second to last, 30th. Very disappointed and annoyed by myself.
F2 practice:
I took the opportunity to go out in the F2 practise as well. After all, I really like riding in the wet, so might as well go out have some fun. With full wets on it all felt great and I came back in after the session with a big grin and with my confidence back again.
Race 1:
This race was declare wet.
Launching from the back row, I got a decent start and made up a few places into turn one. Every thing felt pretty good and I was able to over take a few guys and finished in 14th place (out of 25). No dramas. I was very pleased with this result.
Race 2:
Back to slicks, as the track was nice a dry.
I got a decent launch again and started to chase the mid pack. After a few laps I found myself behind Slowpoke and Drew. I manage to close the gap in the infield a bit only to be left in the dust at the back straight. It was great fun trying to catch them!
I felt I rode more aggressively than ever, trying to do some over taking on the inside during breaking. Unfortunately I didn't have the balls to complete those manoeuvres.
The bike felt great overall and with the stiffer spring I could really get on the gas around turn 8 without heading for the bush.
I never got the confidence to throw the bike into turn 2 and 9 as I've done before they re-sealed it, so this costed me a bit of lap time.
However, I did a personal best and I was happy as!
Finished 14th again (out of 26).
Race 3, LG Superbike:
I was really looking forward to this one.
I managed a decent start and I think I had 4 bike behind me after the infield.
Unfortunately coming into the back sweeper too hot made me go wide on the exit over the rumble strip out on the grass. I saw all bikes passing me and by the time I got back on to the track again they were already into the chicane and I only half way down the back straight. I managed to catch one guy the following lap but the harder I tried to catch the other group the slower I went.
In one of the last laps I lost the front in the right hand part of the chicane and the bike was sliding on my boot and knee until I manage to pick it up again without crashing.
That was the end of that. I finished second to last (of 13).
I also took the opportunity to buy some coaching from Sam Love. For me this was one of the highlights of the day. We discussed each corner and he gave me some really valuable tips. After each race he stopped by and suggested a few new things I could try. We also did some changes to tyres and suspension that was in the right direction.
A top guy and I hope to get to consult him again. Cheers mate!
A big thank you to VMCC and all the people who made it happen.
Thanks for reading all this.
After having done PMCC round here last month, with very disappointing results, I was looking forward to try the track again with some new ideas of how to go faster.
I have had a problem with holding the line while leaned over getting on the gas through long sweepers, such as turn 8. It was even more a problem down at Ruapuna.
Crown Kiwi Technical, Robert and Denis, had helped me fit a firmer spring on the shock earlier in the week, and then measure it up and did the clicker dance at the track. Thank you guys!
Qualifying Superbike:
- "It's wet, so lets go out with slicks"
I did one lap slowly sliding around. Then I thought I could come into the pit and change to wets and still have time for a qualifying lap. Wrong. By the time I got back on the track again I saw the checker flag waving and all I could do was to cruise around just to come straight back into the pit again.
I qualified second to last, 30th. Very disappointed and annoyed by myself.
F2 practice:
I took the opportunity to go out in the F2 practise as well. After all, I really like riding in the wet, so might as well go out have some fun. With full wets on it all felt great and I came back in after the session with a big grin and with my confidence back again.
Race 1:
This race was declare wet.
Launching from the back row, I got a decent start and made up a few places into turn one. Every thing felt pretty good and I was able to over take a few guys and finished in 14th place (out of 25). No dramas. I was very pleased with this result.
Race 2:
Back to slicks, as the track was nice a dry.
I got a decent launch again and started to chase the mid pack. After a few laps I found myself behind Slowpoke and Drew. I manage to close the gap in the infield a bit only to be left in the dust at the back straight. It was great fun trying to catch them!
I felt I rode more aggressively than ever, trying to do some over taking on the inside during breaking. Unfortunately I didn't have the balls to complete those manoeuvres.
The bike felt great overall and with the stiffer spring I could really get on the gas around turn 8 without heading for the bush.
I never got the confidence to throw the bike into turn 2 and 9 as I've done before they re-sealed it, so this costed me a bit of lap time.
However, I did a personal best and I was happy as!
Finished 14th again (out of 26).
Race 3, LG Superbike:
I was really looking forward to this one.
I managed a decent start and I think I had 4 bike behind me after the infield.
Unfortunately coming into the back sweeper too hot made me go wide on the exit over the rumble strip out on the grass. I saw all bikes passing me and by the time I got back on to the track again they were already into the chicane and I only half way down the back straight. I managed to catch one guy the following lap but the harder I tried to catch the other group the slower I went.
In one of the last laps I lost the front in the right hand part of the chicane and the bike was sliding on my boot and knee until I manage to pick it up again without crashing.
That was the end of that. I finished second to last (of 13).
I also took the opportunity to buy some coaching from Sam Love. For me this was one of the highlights of the day. We discussed each corner and he gave me some really valuable tips. After each race he stopped by and suggested a few new things I could try. We also did some changes to tyres and suspension that was in the right direction.
A top guy and I hope to get to consult him again. Cheers mate!
A big thank you to VMCC and all the people who made it happen.
Thanks for reading all this.