Mt Wellington 17/18 October

[Pumba]

the slicks arnt in the van anymore the on a bike I'm sure

Not on a bike yet but they are on a set of rims

[Damien_Toman]

95/70/17 on the front and 115/70/17 on the rear

I ran these on the FXR rims before getting the GSXR rims and really the FXR rims are a bit narrow for these tyre sizes.

The alternative I was recomended is to run a 90/70/17 on the front and rear. Sure the front is still to wide but the profile is better on the rear.

Might show up tomorrow if the weather is ok otherwise see you Sunday!

Thanks Pumba for the tyre specs.
I was out in practice today at Mt Wellington and proved that my current tyres (standard road tyres) certainly don't like the wet - or maybe it is just my bad riding! I went down twice, once on each side of my new little FXR150 that had never been dropped! The second time was nasty as the front wheel went on braking for the sharp left hander at the end of the straight (going anti-clockwise today). I went down hard, bent the right handlebar, broke my brake lever and part of the mounting. Henk and Luke to the rescue and I was out later when the track dried. If they hadn't got me back on the track for a dry run I think I would have decided to just stick to the photography! The dry run helped the confidence and so maybe I will still go for new tyres and have another go (in dry conditions ). I'll give the racing a miss tomorrow - bike a bit bent and my shoulder a bit sore. If it's dry and my shoulder not too stiff I'll take some photos.

[UNSTABLE]

Doh!!! oh well she's christened now, met the track on both sides...Hope you're not too banged up. Stock road tyres are pretty average for track use, especially a slick surface like Mt Welly, it's hard enough walking on it in some places when it's wet...

Here's praying for a dry track tomorrow, I got wets with the intention (hope) of never having to use them, we'll see.

[Pumba]

Bugger Damian. Mt Welly is a bitch as far as grip goes and I am guessing with the rain I have had here at home today the track would have been drying for most of the day (heavy down pour followed by an hour or so of drying, then repeat) and there is actually less grip than when the track is flooded (or maybe you just ride to the conditions better)

Hope you and the bike arnt to hurt.

[DELLORTO]

Thanks Pumba for the tyre specs.
I was out in practice today at Mt Wellington and proved that my current tyres (standard road tyres) certainly don't like the wet - or maybe it is just my bad riding! I went down twice, once on each side of my new little FXR150 that had never been dropped! The second time was nasty as the front wheel went on braking for the sharp left hander at the end of the straight (going anti-clockwise today). I went down hard, bent the right handlebar, broke my brake lever and part of the mounting. Henk and Luke to the rescue and I was out later when the track dried. If they hadn't got me back on the track for a dry run I think I would have decided to just stick to the photography! The dry run helped the confidence and so maybe I will still go for new tyres and have another go (in dry conditions ). I'll give the racing a miss tomorrow - bike a bit bent and my shoulder a bit sore. If it's dry and my shoulder not too stiff I'll take some photos.

like i said ive got that brake lever set up if you want it,

[Pumba]

Oh and a weather map for tomorrow.

We may be OK

[Damien_Toman]

like i said ive got that brake lever set up if you want it,

Yes, please Max and I also bent the right footpeg bracket - the one you pointed out this morning, commenting that they break easily! I might need that too. Please bring them tomorrow and I'll bring some cash.

[Henk]

Damian was going bloody well in the dry on the stock Kendas, and then when it rained he was still out there while the rest of us huddled out of the rain.
Hope you're not too sore and we'll see you in the morning.

[DELLORTO]

Damian was going bloody well in the dry on the stock Kendas, and then when it rained he was still out there while the rest of us huddled out of the rain.
Hope you're not too sore and we'll see you in the morning.

yes he was goign great! your not goign to have much trouble being compeditive damien, i brang the set-up today but i forgot to get it out to show you.

[Damien_Toman]

Maybe... I'll let you know...

And why exactly do you need those hmmmmm?

For his new bike I suspect!

[Henk]

Mind you I had a great time on the old bike today as well. Weird thing was I got on the cb and had no problems going to race shift, when I got back on the FXR I went the wrong way in the gearbox 3 times. Think I might have to look at switching it over.

[Buckets4Me]

haha first post after racing

and what a day it was
bit of rain but mostaly a fine day with a cold track
and not to many crashes

it was a good lead up to the 2 hour next month
hope to see everyone back (dont worry I wont be a rolling speed block this year)

but I will be there to help out, Wave a flag or right times down or something

[DELLORTO]

Great meeting, going in A-grade now so show be exciting!, the weather wasnt perfect but i got a great days racign so im hAPPY. Abit so frustrating stuff with wets and slicks.

bring on the 2 hour!

[Damien_Toman]

Looking good on that new bike!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dty1/4021933714/sizes/o/

[UNSTABLE]

Well that was an interesting day.
The weather couldn't make up it's mind for most of the morning, but by the time the prelims were up it seemed like it would be fine... for the first race...
Then right before the B grade race as they were heading out on the warm-up laps, the heavens opened and the track was drowned. Most of the guys were out on slicks so it made it a little interesting, a few had close encounters with the black stuff but most kept it shiny side up.
The firs F4 prelim saw a greatly reduced field, only 3 of us were hard enough to go out on a wet but quickly drying track
The second round of prelims was a bit more normal with a couple of light sprinkles of rain to keep punters on their toes. I had my tinted visor on and could not tell whether the track was dry wet or damp at all. So lesson learned, on mixed weather days, stick to the clear visor...
There was a long break between the prelims and points racing, and a heavy group of clouds rolled over and proceeded to lighten themselves all over the track. It was soaked and the horizon was not looking too promising either.
So, convinced that was it for the rest of the day, off came the slicks and on go the wets. Then I stood up, and looked over to the Mount (where the weather comes from) and bugger me blue skys... So I took the gamble and changed back to slicks again. I must kave swapped wheel sets about 4-5 times, and only ever went out on slicks.... At least I'm good at it now
The racing proper was fantastic, the weather was kind and everyone was trying hard. F5 had a couple of bikes I had not seen before, one was really quick (#88). B grade was entertaining as always with close battles all through the field. I think Keiran might have had the word to come and play in the F4 ranks, he's going really well, and I think might surprise a few people there with his ....unconventional lines.
I didn't see much of the F4 racing... I had a really good day and managed to get in front of Garry and have a bit of a turn leading. The first race Garry was on wets as the track was 'drying' but by the time we were out there it was really slicks territory. I was convinced though that Karl would be hunting me down and any minute I'd see a red wheel poked up the inside somewhere. Unfortunately the bottom end in #89 had cried enough and that was him out for the day.
Race 2 and Garry took the lead into turn 1 (man that thing is fast off the line...) and as he was now on slicks I didn't fancy my chances. After a couple of laps I thought I'd have a go at the end of the straight under brakes...and I squeeked through. I could hear him right behind me so I was riding pretty hard, then all of a sudden it went quiet on the sweeper on to the straight. The next lap there's Garry picking up the bike... Apparently he had a spectacular highside crash, full MotoGP starfish style, luckily he was O.K. and I could breath easy and took the win.
So, I'd like to thank Tim, for being in Aussie, Garry for having the wrong tyres on and for crashing, and Karl for blowing up the bike... I'll take em when I can get 'em.
Later guys.