VMCC Round 3 – Manfeild Short Circuit
The long drive down to Manfeild on Thursday night was eventful with torrential rain and high winds along from the Desert road to Taihape. More than once I felt the mighty Hiace momentarily move sideways before resuming a forward motion. However, despite the heart stopping moments, we arrived at the motel intact by 10pm.
Test Day
We awoke to a rather wet Friday morning for the test day. First task of the day was with Robert Taylor to make some last minute suspension adjustments. The track was damp and the weather overcast but not raining. We waited for a couple hours for the track to dry before deciding to give in and put on the Wets, as there were a number of changes to test including my nice new leathers.
The test sessions were cautious with standing water everywhere and a different suspension setting to try. The increased ride height was strange but I soon got use to it. Darrin Humphries was really on fire and was putting in some fast laps. I was content just to take it easy and stay upright. We fitted in 3 sessions before it poured down and I packed it in for the day, comfortable all the changes were working.
Race Day
Saturday was dry and not too cold. The track had two wet spots - the braking area to turn 1 and Higgins onto the back straight.
Qualifying F1 – Superbikes
As I was scrubbing in new tyres and there were still wet patches, qualifying was cautious. I managed to tag behind one of the LG guys for a few lap then a few laps on my own. Qualified 14th (out of 34).
Qualifying F2 - Supersport
The track was drying and the dry bits were quite grippy. A dry line, although only half a metre wide, was forming through Higgins. With a bit more confidence I tried to find some space but ended up getting a tow from Keelim Ryan. Qualified 11th (out of 28)
Race 1 – F1 Superbikes
I lined up on the 4th row, on the inside. Starting on lights I got an OK start and managed to keep the front wheel down and feet on the pegs. Got around the first corner without any drama’s but conceded some places through the next 2 turns before settling into a rhythm. Most of the race was spent chasing Aria off in the distance, while swapping places with Keelim and Mark Bennett. Through the hairpin I managed an inside pass on Keelim and hung onto Mark’s tail for the next few laps. Then Mark had to make an evasive manoeuvre around Nick Prestige which allowed me to get past down the back straight. I hung onto to this position for another lap before a mistake in turn one allowed Mark to get past. I finished behind Mark in 16th.
Race 1 – F2 Supersport
I gridded up on the 3rd row on the outside, a preferred spot. I got a better start and made a few places on the outside of turn one. However, conceded quite a few positions in the next couple of corners. F2 always seems a lot more aggressive probably because the bikes are more evenly matched. Anyway most of the race was spent swapping places with Martin Billings. At one stage while in front of Martin I got close to Aria and an attempted pass at the hairpin almost ended in disaster. I could feel I was holding up Martin and when he did get past he also made another place in front of Aria. Eventually I finished in 15th.
Race 2 – F1 Superbikes
This was my first race in the afternoon and most of the wet spots had dried up. Not the best start bringing the front wheel up and losing my footing on the pegs, losing valuable seconds and places to the first corner. On rounding the hairpin I was confronted by a bike/body in the middle of the track which I narrowly missed. Not unexpectedly this race was Red flagged and restarted. The fallen rider was Phil Derby with whom we shared a garage but the good News is he is OK and was home that night.
The restart was a lot better and soon got into a dual with the familiar pair of Mark Bennett and Keelim Ryan. Keelim managed to make a gap and I managed to hang onto Mark Bennett’s tail to finish in 17th.
Race 2 – F2 Supersport
My last race for the day and while the track was fully dry the temperature was noticeably cooler. I got a good start, holding my position through the first 3 corners. At the hairpin I was able to horsepower my way past a SV650 and spotted the familiar colours of Marcus Beagley’s bike in the distance. To my surprise after the first lap I was right on his tail and was determined to stay there. We cleared out from the rest of the group in our own little dual and swapped places 5 times in the last 3 laps. Marcus was pulling away on the straights and with me catching him on the corners. Disaster almost struck at the hairpin. While leading Marcus my engine cover touched down and lifted the front wheel ! Somehow I managed to hold it up with my knee and keep the throttle pinned to recover and keep it upright. Eventually in a side by side braking dual at turn 1 Marcus took back the lead on the last lap. I waited for Higgins to attempt a move but Marcus was now defending his lines and pushed me wide. I tried one more move on the fast Dunlop Sweeper but couldn’t make up the gap finishing 7th. My best result for the day.
Overall it was a good weekend earning some valuable points to hold 9th place in the F2 Championship now at halfway through the series. More importantly I was now consistently lapping in my personal best times in less than ideal conditions. Obviously the suspension and tyre combination was now working.
Thanks goes to the Vic Club for running such a well organised event.
I would also like to thank my sponsors who have made this weekend possible.
Metzeler tyres have been awesome providing unparalleled feedback and confidence.
Maxima Oils for all your lubrication needs in Engine oil, chain wax and coolants
Botany Honda: See Danny and his team for all your motorcycling accessories and making the above sponsorship possible
TripleZee Cycles: John for providing support and encouragement and his skill in dyno tuning the bike to get the best possible performance. See him for all your Dyno tuning needs, BMC air filters and FactoryPro parts
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