Here we are again aye, I'll try to keep it interesting.
We went up for Friday testing this round, since brother Jimmy, and good mate Andy were coming, and they know more about setting a bike up than I do (not a huge accolade, but there ya go).
After a couple sessions Friday morning, the crew arrived to help out, and we got down to making changes, in the search of the grip I've been missing on corner exit since we got the bike.
Andy was the winner on the day, by lowering the rear ride height 10mm. The bike was instantly transformed and I was feeling good at last. So off to the hotel, to watch big bro and Andy polish off quite a few beers.
Race day arrived, and with the revised race order, I was able to get some free practice with the F2 guys. Bike still felt mint, and I was gettin on the gas earlier with every lap.
Out for our qualify session, and I didn't get much of a clear lap. Felt pretty good, but didn't get my accustomed front row spot, and had to settle for 8th on the second row. I wasn't particularly worried, given that I can launch my bike quite well anyway.
Race 1. Got a good start, and came out of turn one in 5th place behind young Glen Skatchell. Everything was feeling pretty good, and I was now racing with Glen at least one spot higher than I have been previously, but that was all about to change.
It's about now that some would expect another close call, and my dry cleaning bill to go up again, but alas no. Coming into the first right hand turn of the long track, the front tyre tucked under. With all my might I mashed my knee into the ground, but it was no use. Down I went.
Now most of you know I have some practice with this type of off, so it's no surprise that I moved to my back, and waited for the slide to stop and check out the bike. I noticed though, that my bike was not sliding across the track and grass, instead it was tumbling. "Oh shit, NO NO NO NO NO NO, that's this bike wrecked!" Goes through my head as I turn away and come to a stop.
Safely quite some distance off the track I slowly sit up, not really that keen to see the bike anymore. Just as well really, because I cant see my bike. I think briefly, "did I get a bit of a knock to the head, and the marshals have shifted the bike while I was out? Doubt it, there'd be an ambulance here."
The penny drops, the bike was flipping over kinda violently, and the barrier is only a meter and a half high. With that revelation I'm now convinced I wont be riding what's left of the bike...EVER.
I glance over the fence to make sure it's there, and it is, about five meters away from a couple cows, and quite well buried in the deep mud.
After a couple minutes I figured I might as well climb the fence, and see how to get it out of there. After shoeing the cows away, I wrestle the bike up, and start the mental parts list. Tail section of fairing is obvious..."why am I struggling to find broken bits"? I wonder.
I shit you not, the most serious thing on the bike that's broken, is the plastic insert, that the brake res hose connects to the master cylinder with!
I literally started the bike back up, and rode/pushed it through the mud back to the gate, and then proceeded to ride back to the pits.
Although Andy is adamant we should get the brakes sorted and go out for race two, my gorgeous girl had already offered me a beer, and I was keen as mustard to get my laughing gear around that.
I am gutted to have chucked it away, but know what the reason was, and at the same time I was encouraged at how fast I was getting along when it happened.
A huge thanks this month to Jimmy and Andy, (and "K" dog/spiderpig) for comin down to help. Team mate Deano, for doing pretty much everything except ride for me really, and my lovely girl Rach, you are the bestest ever.
To all the friends who came to see us racing, it means the world to me to see you there.
Thanks also to those that came through to make sure I was OK, and to pass on how cool the crash looked.
And of course our sponsors, I'm confident that my times will start to drop now that we have a better base setting to work on.
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Originally Posted by PrincessBandit
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