Johan's VMCC round 3 '09

[johan]

Johan's VMCC round 3
F1 on a Ducati 998

Friday:
I arrived to the track late but enough time left to change to wets and go out for a session just to feel the bike again.
I then spend the rest of the time at the track fitting new tyres for next day's racing.

F1 Qualifying:
I don't think anyone enjoyed the qualifying conditions but we all had to do it. It was all going well until the rear started to act up coming out of turn 1 in fourth lap. I had no choice but lay the bike down outside the track and wait for the crash car to pick us up. I could only hope the first three laps were enough to qualify and I was relieved when I saw I was 16th on the grid.

I fixed the rear brake; the bleed hole in the master cylinder was blocked so the fluid didn't have anywhere to go when it got hot and expanded, thus locking the rear.

F1 - Race 1
Still a bit shaken after the qualify incident I took off from the third line had a pretty mellow race. I couldn't find any rythm at all, a few bikes passed and I finished 14th.

F1 - Race 2
I got a bad start but got a second chance when the race was race red flagged.
I got away better second try and found myself chasing Biggles (I think) around the track and had a good time. He did a great job blocking my attempts to pass and it wasn't until he missed a gear or something at the hairpin I got passed and finished 11th.

I actually did a personal best of 1:14.2 in this race.

LG Superbike race
I lined up at the back of the grid not sure where to park my self.
Off we go and the first two rows disappeared into the sunset and I'm left chasing a girl (long black hair?) that I eventually passed at the hairpin. By then the others were long gone so all I could do was enjoy the ride and had some fun doing long sweeping lines with good lean and came back to the pits with a smile on my face.

I don't think my bike is that super anymore (if it ever was) but still enjoy the LG Superbike races. One day I hope to be able to stick with the quick guys but I'm not quite there yet, but working on it...

Thanks VMCC for another great event!


Cheers
johan

[Drew]

That was short and sweet bro. Glad you got the bike sorted.

Wicked times by the way, fuckin hauling I tell ya.

[Tony.OK]

Great job on the PB mate, now imagine having a nice sticky hot track......I can see PB tumbling

Thanks a heap for the spot in your shed dude, very very appreciated when making a last minute decision, always a pleasure sharing with ya.
Hope to catch ya soon

[wharfy]

good stuff, I was a bit surprised to see your bike on the grass and was pleased that it was not a big bin.

I can only dream of 1:14's

[NinjaBoy]

Hey Johan

I saw you on the side of track and hoped it was just a break down not an off. Glad to hear it was not the worst. Good to hear you had a good with a new PB. It was a bit strange like that as I too was circulating consistently in PB times but didn't think I was pushing that hard. Oh well seeya next round.

[sinfull]

Good one mate another PB gone ! Crikey what if the vic club do bring in bears class aye, shit ya won't know yrself getting 4 races in a day in !!!!

[GIXser]

Nice dude... for the conditions times are very very.. respectable always a bit tricky with a damp/cold track i reckon, look forward to dicing with you again fella

[Clivoris]

As always man it's a bloody pleasure seeing you out there representing on the V-twin and riding way quicker than most would expect. And still the times drop. I freaked out to see the Ducati lying down in F1 qualifying. Glad it was a technical hitch.

[slowpoke]

Aaaaaaah, so that's what happened, it's tough trying and piece it all together from mylaps, I tell ya!

Glad to hear nothing too major was damaged, and to come back and set a PB says plenty. I tell ya what mate, Father Time may be winning the war against the mighty 998, but you aren't making it easy for him, LOL.

[Sparky Bills]

I was a little concerned when I saw your bike on the side of the track mate.
Hope nothing too bad.

Nice riding man. You just keep getting faster and faster!

[Nicksta]

awesome stuff Johan!! i was sad to see you on the trailer early in the day but great you got back out there
catch you next round

[johan]

Thank you all for kind words.

I better get used to see that bike on its side as a crash is long overdue haha!

I'm very exited the lap times are still dropping. At the same time the riding feels more relaxed and composed.

See you all next round, riding the full circuit again!

cheers
johan