I was always taught that a gentleman should at least kiss a person before he screws them.I guess Scracha didn't hear about that, but more about that later.
I was really looking forward to 2 days of racing but my preparation was a little patchy in some ways. I usually avoid alcohol the night before, but as Scracha was staying over I shared a 6 pack with him. Hardly excessive, and we didn't even stay up late. (Can you feel the excuses starting already?) Then I woke 3 hours earlier than planned to toss and turn restlessly. One of the good things is that I do have lovely new van that was well packed the night before so we made good time to the track and were all set to go before riders briefing.
Qualifying
Supersport qualifying was... a bit odd frankly. I was pleased to get out there and qualified better than usual, given that I normally take half a day to get confidence in the traction. It almost felt as if I was riding someone else's bike and I was being judged by Simon Cowell. I came in before the end of the session with a time of 1:19 putting me 25th on the grid. Ok, but I hadn't got that buzz that kicks in when you are pushing, or things click together. In hindsight, I could have been more nervous than I realised.
Superbike qualifying felt like a lot more fun and I managed to get my head down and pushed a little harder. Pleased to be able to hang onto riders normally quicker than I and equalling my PB with a high 1:16. 30th on the grid but in the company of fine folks like Sparky Bills and Biggles. I had felt a lot more confident, and paradoxically this increased my nerves. Every crash I have had this year (only 3!) has closely followed a sense of "I'm getting fucking good at this".
Lunchtime Bucket Race
Some bright spark on the VMCC exec had decided that it would be a bit of a laugh to entertain the punters with an invitational bucket race as part of our farewell to Mel Jackson. Departing Club President and stalwart Clerk of Course for many years. Knowing of my pathological fear of buckets it made sense that I would be invited. Sadists the whole bloody lot of them.
Now, I've never ridden one of these things but am convinced that people make a fundamental error when they assume that they are safe because they are small and slow. Trudes (bless her and her hotness) talked me out of my hiding place by offering me a ride on the mighty Rangi. The term life-changing doesn't really do the experience justice. I swear that the last time my perenium had such an expert workout was in Thailand. If I wasn't coming fourth (I can't be sure as things got pretty blurry) and hunting down Skunk in third, I would have stopped for a wank. I can now honestly say that I have raced Andrew Stroud and come in a credible fourth.
Supersport Race 1
My memory of this race is a little hazy but I got a pretty good start and intended to stick to the basics without scaring myself. I got myself into a nice wee battle with Nick Prestige when, just after I decided to sit behind him and pounce later in the race, bloody Scracha slips up the inside just like a well lubed rugby league player. I didn't even know the sneaky bastard was there. I should probably be pleased he didn't bring the rest of the team with him. Scracha managed to get by Nick and I just didn't seem to have the sense of urgency required to push a pass. Neither of them made a mistake so I crossed the finish line with Scracha feeling my moist breath on the back of his neck. I was 22nd with a new PB of 1:16.5. Bloody good fun
but I knew I was making some basic mistakes like getting too tense and thinking about what wasn't working. The rear was getting a few slides on as well.
Superbike Race 1
The odd feeling descended again before this race and combined with my sore forearms to help me decide to treat this like a test session. I wanted to shift some braking markers, experiment with a different gear in a few corners and work on a later turn in on a couple to square them off a bit more. I was also hoping that a click less rebound on the rear would give me a little more traction too. Unsurprisingly, that many goals turned it into a dogs breakfast. A shocking start and 3 laps of confusion later I called it a day, saving some energy for tomorrow.
Day 2
Supersport Race 2
Shit, I could have slept in as this was identical to yesterdays race, except a bit slower with an extra helping of looseness. I think I ended up trying too bloody hard, letting Scracha and Nick through after over-cooking turn 1. But they would have caught me anyway the way I was riding.
No matter what I was telling myself, the head just wasn't coming together but I am pleased that I didn't smash the punkin. Once again Scracha pipped me on the line.
Superbikes Race 2
Once again, feeling tired (as a restless night started catching up) and old I only went out to test a suspension change and refine some reference points. This went a bit better than yesterday and I pulled off the track just before the race was red-flagged due to a serious looking crash.These Superbike boys have got some serious pace and I'm a little out of my depth there, but I learn a little more each time.
Supersport Race 3
I desperately wanted to get one back on Scracha in this race so I performed a little psychological first-aid on myself and went to the dummy grid. I got the best first lap of my life in this race. Riding some aggressive lines and making a few passes (safely, honest) on typically faster riders. I tried to be as smooth and consistent as I could be but by the sixth lap I was starting to struggle physically and cognitively. Scracha passed me at some point, hiked up his kilt, and proceeded to pull away like a teenager. By lap 9 my forearms had surrendered and my goal became getting finished without Wharfy taking me to school as well. I think I managed this by the smallest margin.
I didn't even seriously consider giving the last Superbike race a go. I was spent. So, a great learning experience but not as much fun as usual. I certainly need to relax more to stop this bloody arm pump, and don't tell Scracha but I think I will save up for some coaching.
Thanks for reading this.
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Buckets now saturdays race had to be the funniest thing I have seen in a longggggggggggggg time .. poor Aria, it would have helped if she got out on the track & then knew wot the course was .. 
Karma ... Justice catches up eventually !! 
There's always a ride for you on Rangi if you decide to pluck up enough courage to "try" it. 
Originally Posted by Trudes
. In the end it worked out fine and I was actually quite stoked to just wobble a bit and still make the corner. Just goes to show I could have been going much faster and turned in much later. He's a good fellah young Sketchy.
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