Well it was a bit of a up and down weekend for me.
Friday
We did some testing on Friday, what was awesome to get back into the groove of the bike, and to see if any problems arised. Steve set us up with a bit of a suspension drill to feel the difference between too fast and too slow rebound dampening. What was a good experience, however was the second time I've done that drill. I did notice a massive change between last years suspension and this years freshly rebuilt suspension. Thanks to CKT for carrying out this work..
The testing went without a hitch for most of the day and i managed to try a couple different things. It turned out to be a successful day, but i did have some big problems with changing down gears.
At the end of the day, we took the bike back to steve's too see what we could find, and at the same time put some fresh tires on. As mine were getting a little on the old side.
We took the gearbox out, and found nothing wrong with it. We assumed it was due to the oil not quite being up too it and a little bit old. However when steve was putting it back together he noticed some wear on the clutch basket, what would cause the clutch to drag whilst trying to disengage it. Replaced it and we were ready to go again.
Race Day
The day was going to be a busy one racing in both 125's and F3.
125GP Qualifying
I left near the backend and followed Jaden and William around for a couple laps. Because we were out first our tires had only been on the warmers for about 15 minutes or so, so i was taking it fairly easy on the first couple of laps. I started to push things along coming into my 2nd Flying lap, but
fate would have it and my chain unfortunately came off, Mid Corner in the hairpin.
With such a poor lap i wasn't expecting to qualify in front of many people, but i did and qualified in 4th with a 2:13 (Pretty poor time).
We finally found the problem was a damaged thread on the adjuster. Spaced it out and that was that.
F3 Qualifying
I went out in F3 Qualifying only thinking about getting back into after chucking a chain off. Took it pretty gingerly and managed to Qualify 12th on the Grid with a 2:06, despite not getting one clean lap in due to getting held up mid corner.
I started to pick up a rthymn towards the end of it and had good confidence in the front end, compared to Friday.
125GP Race 1
I lined up on the grid pretty confident and determined to get a good start.
The lights on and off, i managed to get off the line pretty okay. I'm getting a much better idea how too launch a 125 properly these days so things are slowly creep away in that area.
Holding my 4th position coming into turn 1, i instantly reel in William Juggins and Eventually go past him through the mid field. As i exit the hairpin, i realize this is going to be a good race. As Avalon and Jaden are not getting away from me. I push my self pretty hard, to maintain with these two, riding the bike a little bit too hard and not smooth i found out later. On the new section of the track, Jaden makes a move up the inside of Avalon, it seemed like Avalon was pacing quick but still not quite quick enough, to continue too lead.
I knew at the time that if i didn't get past her sooner rather than later she would start holding me up a tiny bit. I manage to get a decent drive coming out of the sweeper and line the inside pass up coming into Turn 1 on the second lap. I successfully pass Av, and find myself having a look up the inside off Jaden coming through splash. This would of been a pretty risky pass if i tried it. I decide against it and maintain my line and managed too drive out of the hairpin harder than Jaden. Finding myself in the slipstream i look too out brake him into higgins around the outside. However decide against this as i know Jaden is quite strong on the brakes and it would force me wide. What at these speeds would of let Jaden gapped it a little bit. Instead i line myself up on the inside, brake at about the same time as jaden, but less aggressively. I see a gap up the inside i turn in and pull off a really smooth and close pass. What was a awesome feeling.
Focusing on the race i ride my heart out for the next couple of laps. Approaching Street-stock riders very quickly. I manage to figure out that i could use these too my advantage and slowed down the other two for half a second. Passing the white flag, i have a quick looksie, and see Jaden is still right there. However i must of miscalculated the distance, as i hear i had a decent gap at that point. But i wasn't going to slow down at all as i have in the past. Unfortunately for me coming around Turn Two, i spot 3 or so street-stock riders almost at Turn three. Not wanting too loose a single tenth over Jaden, because i know how hard he pushes in the last lap. I set up a risky pass around the outside of them all, i misjudge and go a little bit too wide and as i get too my max lean angle, i go over too the part of the track what flattens out on Turn three and loose the front, binning it on the last lap, and going for a roll in the deep mud. Insert your best swear words here!. The decision for the outside line was a poor one on my part, as i should of judged the gap. Basically handing Jaden the race win.
The Gap turned out too be a second or two, what was going to be a hard task for Jaden too catch it. Especially since i had been confidently, out pacing him during this race.
I probably learnt the most from that one single race/crash, than over the last couple of months.
Its still not acceptable as i should of wrapped that race up without a problem.
During the gap between the First and Second Race my head was pretty much trying to figure out how i managed too make such a poor mistake. During this time, Steve was repairing the minor damage too the bike, and i missed the fact that the handlebar had rotated around the clamps and the clutch was far too far away. Even after Steve made me sit on the bike too check these things. Lesson Learned.
125GP Race Two
As soon as i rolled out on too the track i notice these two things. They made the bike very hard too ride. Its little,simple things like these what make a huge difference having right. I got a pretty okay start considering my clutch lever was barely within reached. I tried too hang on too the leaders, what was kind of working. I was managing to ride around the out of line bars, but was finding it extremely difficult too find any front end confidence during left handers. On the second lap, i took a poor line coming back on too the old track. As i came up too the infamous bump what connects the New and Old, i managed too go wide very quickly, due too no confidence in tipping it.
The actual reason being was more my head state rather than the bar. But the two combined saw me running off the track. I managed too keep it upright and just ride around too a 4th position.
Near the end of the day, we were told that we would be allowed back in the F3 class but starting from the very back due too the risk of getting eaten up in the start. What was fair enough. I got some water in to me and managed to get back into the zone.
F3 Race Two
In this race, i was just out there for fun and to build confidence back up.
Starting from completely dead last, i managed to get a decentish start, and saw myself coming up too a-lot of 400's/650's, enter turn one. I choose too go around a-lot of them through the mid field and first corners. As things started too open up during the race, i started too start picking heaps of them at a time. This was great fun and i felt like i was riding quite quickly too.
By the end of the race i had past 19 of them in 4 laps., finishing in 10th. From 29th (or last). It was some great fun, but some of these guys were quite serious and didn't being beaten by a 125. I got a couple of them rubbing up against me. But nothing really bad, as they were usually gone by the last corner. I just missed out on overtaking a SV too get between the mid pack and the front pack. On the last Corner.
I have many things too work on, but my riding seems to be improving. However as it improves it seems to becoming a little bit aggressive for a 125. As i heard after the first race, i was sliding every corner. For me i could feel these, but felt very much in control.
Still smoother is better. Something too work on. Smoother braking,smoother turn in's and just generally working on all aspects of my riding.My Reference points still need work.
My body postion also, still needs work, but is getting along very nicely. Noteably i am getting quite a sore left hand wrist. Steve pointed out in a picture you could obviously see that i had a lot of weight on the left clip on.
So this is something too have a look at and change slightly.
Fitness is yet another thing what needs improving, and i have already started some training.
Lastly finding how to get into a good Rhythm of things quickly.
Lap Times
During the First 125 Race i manage too get a 2:01:9 and consistent low 2:02's This was the 15th fastest time during the whole day, out of everyone.
During The F3 Race i clocked a 2:05, but this was much too do with traffic as i felt like i was only cruising.
Thanks too
Steve Bagshaw
Mike Repps
Mum and Dad
www.motoacademy.co.nz
-Kyle #13
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