I attended the Practice day on Friday before Round 5; we were hoping to have my new ram air box tuned in by lunch time so I could get some hot laps in before Saturday. Well that plan flew out the window when Manfield flooded during the night. We could not get out on the track until 12 which was problem number 1. We also had a tyre warmer explode in the morning, being problem number 2, so hot laps were not going to be easily done. My practice day was full of stoppages and fuelling problems. We learnt was replace your fuel filter every year, and make sure you fuel lines aren’t too long so they don’t fold over on themselves. We never managed to get the ram air tuned properly, but thought we would try qualifying knowing we could always swap back to my original setup.
Race Weekend
Saturday
Qualifying
Without my bike running in perfect tune, I would loose power after 13,000rpm so I went out for to do a few fast laps in each class. In Post Classics I qualified in 1st doing a 1:18.8. Unfortunately Brendon had a big fall stopping the session early, luckily he is recovering well.
Formula 3 was a very full session – there were not a lot free laps to get a fast one in. I qualified doing a 1:17.7 in 4th position behind a 125gp bike and 2 OZZY 450’s.
Pretty happy knowing power would return when we went back to my old air tray setup for race weekend.
Race 1 Post Classics
Starting on pole is a great feeling – that feeling was short lived as Peter Sales passed me off the line, wheel standing through the first 2 gears ……. I stuck to the back of him for the first lap and new I would grab him at the end of the back straight. I made it stick with 3 hot laps around the 1:17 mark before my pit board told me to pull my head in a little and ride smart. I was using a Gpra10 rear tyre (production tyre) in the Post classics races as my Dunlop slicks would not handle two classes for 2 whole days. That worked well for 5 laps, unfortunately the heat got he better of it and it did move around allot in the later stages of the race. I happily finished 1st and the bike was back to full power –so was ready for Formula 3.
Race 2 Formula 3
Starting next to the Ozzy 450’s was going to be interesting, I made a good start but they jumped off the line, I passed Chris Osborne into turn 1, and jammed right behind kirk. I followed him as close as I can and took the inside line into the hairpin passing him. The next two straights Kirk blazed away, the straight line speed of the triple was astonishing! Kirk did run wide through turn 1 so I jumped and pegged my ears back. I stayed in front of him for one lap before he tried to out brake me into turn 1. Those who know me understand that this doesn’t happen often!! I nosed in front but he took the inside line on the exit passing me – after this there was not much I could do the straights were to hard to fight on a slower machine. Then Paul B decided he would have a go at me, we diced in the later stages of the race handle bar to handle bar for nearly a whole lap. I hung it all out on the last lap, even though I slightly stepped out the rear end exiting turn 1 I managed a good lap. Huge congratulations to Kirk for the win, but I was happy he pulled me to my new PB of 1:15.9. GO THE MIGHTY 400!
I managed to get a camera attached to my machine and tape part of this race so will burn it to CD for all to see!
Sunday
Race 3 Post Classics
With my younger brother blowing his machine up he had to borrow a bike to compete – I was hoping this would slow him down as he had a 30 point lead on me in the championship. Unfortunately he was just as fast on the borrowed machine! The race went well – the bike and tyre held up – I did start to tire out at the end of the race. I won the race, but I had used a lot of energy doing this. Back to the pits to relax, re fairing, re tyre and re fuel the machine. I would be racing again in 15mins.
Race 4 Formula 3
Another close fought race was going to be on the cards; from here on in the class both I and Paul need to beat each other to be champion. Another interesting start – Paul jumped up the inside of turn one – I was well impressed, there was nothing I could do on that apart from tuck in behind and hope to find a gap. Paul started to make a gap on me after 4 laps or, I had to calm down and smooth myself out – I was trying way too hard. One extra thing you have to worry about on these 12 lap races is Lap traffic. As we approached the sweeper there was 3 bikes entering it, Paul hesitated I thought “this is It” I jumped at it, passing Paul and the first bike – I was very luck that the bike in front of him was off line so I got them both cleanly. Head down and put the afterburners on. Another bike was eaten by my mighty ZXR down the front straight sticking 2 bikes between me and Paul. I rode the race out constantly doing low 16’s with a lap of 1:161 as my fastest taking the lead by 2 points in the championship.
Race 5 Post Classics
I tried to get the best start possible – again the Sales machine simply exploded off the line. Passed him on the entry to the sweeper- and then studied the pit board. I had been struggling on the exit of Higgins in Formula 3 so SGT Aaron Carr gave me a “Higgins split”, telling me my overall time from the entry to the exit of the corner. During the race I experimented with lines and points of acceleration and found a faster exit. I maintained my lead and keep at a pace which would not burn me out. Then I saw my younger brother AJ, the current championship leader pushing his borrowed machine off the track. After a came through the hair pin I saw why…. Huge scrape marks in the payment and he was sitting down at the tyre wall. At the next lap I gave the thumbs up to him….. It’s the old “are you ok?” his response was “average”. He was picked up by the ambulance with leg problems… crap. I won the race returned to the pits, I had less than 10 minutes to sort my machine out with fairings, rear rim swap and refuel. AJ was still being looked at by medical so I had to go out in Formula 3 not knowing what the story was.
Race 6 Formula 3
We lined up for the last race, I was next to Paul – We shook each others hand. We both knew this race would be big……it would tie the series up again if Paul got me or if I could keep him behind me it would give me a 4 point lead. And with Paul also doing a 1:159 in the last race it was going to down to the wire!
I got a great start – the Ozzy 450 took off again, I wanted to be smooth, slightly defensive but consistently fast. With only lap traffic to slow us down I managed an event free race – again consistently doing very low 1:16’s and taking out 2nd, adding 2 more points to my lead – totalling 4 whole points.
And the end of the race, I found out AJ was taken to hospital with a suspected broken pelvis…. So we packed up and went in to Palmerston North. AJ waited until around 11pm before an x-ray cleared him of any breaks but he has pulled his ligaments and muscles on his left leg badly, Lucky very lucky. He has found out that his ZXR snapped the crank in half, and we haven’t heard how bad the bike he borrowed is….my thoughts are with him I know how he feels!
Overall
I am placed first overall in Formula 3 by 4 points and now only 1 point behind my younger brother in Post Classics JNR. AJ is on the mend however I am confident even if he does make it out on the track for round 6, I can beat him….I MUST. Formula 3 is going to be an intense 2 race’s. Both of us will be on the limit to take out the championship!
Many thanks to my sponsors; Dunlop tyres, the Air force and Hi Tech Commercial Interiors ltd. Cheers to Marty from Motomart, Dan from Motorad, Team Shower Buddy racing c/o Paul m, Kelly from Randolph Engineering and Kawasaki NZ for their support.
One round to go – Two trophies is the request,
See you all on the 16th.
Chappy
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by sharky
Bookmarks